M A G N E T I C   I S L A N D   

Aquascene acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Magnetic Island,
the Wulgurukaba people.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

The traditional owners and custodians of Magnetic Island were the Wulgurukaba people, an Aboriginal seafaring tribe, the canoe people. They refer to Magnetic Island as Yunbenun.   
Archaeology shows that the Wulgurukaba people inhabited Magnetic Island at least 8,000 years 
prior to the Europeans arriving in 1770. 
​Descendants of the Wulgurukaba people are still living on Magnetic Island.   


MAGNETIC ISLAND​

"Maggie", as she is affectionately known by local residents, is situated a close 8 km off the coast of Townsville, in Tropical North Queensland.  
It only takes 25 minutes on passenger ferry, or 40 minutes with your car on the barge from Townsville to arrive in paradise.


Sealink Ferry   (passengers only)
  • Getting you to Magnetic Island in approximately 25 minutes.
  • Approximately 18 services a day on their modern high speed catamarans, from early morning to late at night.
  • ​Car parking is available at the Sealink Breakwater Ferry terminal for $7.50 for 24 hours.
  • Tickets are available online from the Sealink website, from the ferry terminal or on-board if the terminal is closed.
  • Sealink Breakwater Terminal is located at Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville.
 
Magnetic Island Ferries   (vehicle & passengers)
  • Getting you to Magnetic Island in approximately 45 minutes
  • Approximately
  • Tickets are available online

Magnetic Island is the only island within the Great Barrier Reef to have it's very own postcode, it is home to a small population of about 2,500 local residents.

A quiet and relaxed tropical lifestyle, 53 square km in size with 23 pristine bays and beaches to explore (many are secluded), beautiful fringing reef, rugged nature, abundant wildlife and easy access to the Great Barrier Reef make it a wonderful place to relax and unwind.

The Island has a unique blend of national park (approximately 75%), with a variety of holiday accommodation, cafes, restaurants and so many amazing experiences to enjoy.

Climate
Magnetic Island is great to visit all year round.
Temperature ranges from average 19 degrees in winter and average 28.7 degrees in summer. 
Humidity is highest in Summer.
Most of the rainfall is during the months of January and February.
May to October are traditionally the driest months.

Plants and animals

There are approximately 23 different vegetation types on Magnetic Island.  Many visitors expect to see rainfgorest but Magnetic Island, having considerably less rainfall than the wet tropics slightly further north and the Whitsundays slightly further south, is typical of the dry tropics.
It is covered with open eucalypt woodland of blood woods, stringy barks and grey iron barks.
Rain-forest, (vine-thicket) is restricted to small pockets in sheltered gullies.

Hoop Pines wedged amongst the boulders are a distinctive feature of the Island.
Native Kapok, common on lower slopes, produces yellow flowers in August and cotton-wool like seed pods in December.  The cottony fibre was used by Aboriginal people and early settlers for bedding.
Cabbage Palms are found on slopes of Mount Cook and in moist areas such as creeks and gullies.

Mangrove forests and salt-marshes are found mainly on the sheltered side of the Island between Cockle Bay and West Point.
The Island boasts semi-deciduous woodlands (low open scrub) between West Point and Huntingfield Bay.


Magnetic Island is a beautiful Island with so many things you will love!
  • Beautiful quiet secluded beaches  
  • Sparkling blue ocean
  • Beautiful fringing reef just off the beaches
  • Stunning natural landscapes
  • Sunshine more than 300 days of the year
  • Koalas, bird life, whales (seasonal) and abundant wildlife
  • Relaxed tropical lifestyle
  • Personalised holiday experiences
  • History & stories to share​​
  • A friendly community ready to help, share a "yarn" or answer a question or two!


​Find out more about Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island Informer