Magnetic Island

Located just 8 kilometers off the mainland coast, Magnetic Island , or Maggie as it's affectionately known, is one of Australia's most visited islands and is one of the largest islands in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, measuring 11 km at its longest (west-east) point.

The island is directly north of Townsville, the second largest center in Far North Queensland after Cairns, making it very easily accessible and the major attraction that it is.

The highest point of Magnetic Island is Mount Cook, rising to a height of just under 500 meters, and spreading downwards from the peak is untouched forest that covers the majority of this National Park island.

On the northern coast of Maggie is Horseshoe Bay, the largest of around 20 bays and beaches, some of which are only accessible by boat or clambering over rocks from the adjoining beach.

Unlike many of the other tropical islands up and down the Great Barrier Reef, Magnetic Island isn't completely surrounded by coral fringing reefs but does have sections of reef that can be seen from a few of the beaches.
Where these reefs do appear, for instance like at Florence Bay (pictured right), they provide an excellent opportunity to explore the waters with mask and snorkel - although as always with Far North Queensland waters, please do pay attention to any jellyfish warnings that might be in force at the time!

Being a heavily forested National Park, Magnetic Island is very rich in wildlife and boasts over 100 different bird species, making it a haven for the nature-lover.
There is also a healthy population of koalas living amongst the eucalypt trees and these unique animals are themselves a major attraction to the island.

The island has around 25 km of walking tracks which provide excellent views and great opportunities to spot some of the rare and unusual animals that Australia has become synonymous with.
The majority of tracks do cut through the forested areas of the island and give you plenty of chances to see another one of the islands natural features, the large granite boulders that create some spectacular landmarks.

Another factor that separates Maggie from most other tropical islands is the climate. Because the general area of Townsville is sheltered it doesn't get the huge amounts of rain normally associated with tropical climates. Magnetic Island enjoys around 300 sunny days each year; this also explains why the forest on the island is mostly pine and eucalypt with only a small percentage of it being the lush rainforest that you would expect to find in these latitudes.
This unusually dry climate and proximity to such a large mainland center is why Magnetic Island has the largest resident population of all the Great Barrier Reef islands - around 2,500 people call Maggie 'home' and these lucky inhabitants share their island with around 300,000 visitors each year!

Magnetic Island accommodation

Being a well developed populated island, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from should you want to stay here for a few days or more.

About the largest is the Magnetic International Resort, a modern four star complex with 80 rooms and 16 family suites.
As with all modern resorts, all imaginable facilities and activities are available or can be arranged to cater for your every need!

Another popular choice is Magnetic Island Tropical Resort, a large complex set in a mixture of landscaped tropical island and natural wooded areas. It features chalet style accommodation at an affordable price, set in eight acres and just 200 meters from the beach.

A large range of other types of accommodation such as Magnetic Island holidays homes and apartments can also be reserved, along with backpackers hostels and camping grounds for the budget-limited, like myself ;-)

All in all, Magnetic Island is a very easily accessible tropical island with lots to offer the visitor and is well worth at least a day trip out from Townsville.
Probably not the best base from which to explore the Great Barrier Reef, but certainly worth checking out if you are in the vicinity and in particular if you're looking to experience something other than the 'stereotypical' tropical rainforest island.

Some of the other Great Barrier Reef Resort Islands include:-

• Lizard Island
• Dunk Island
• Lady Elliot Island
• Hinchinbrook Island
• The Whitsunday Islands
• Hayman Island
• Fraser Island (not one of the Great Barrier Reef islands) but well worthy of a mention!