• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • About
  • World Map
  • Work With Us
  • Disclosure/Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Budget Travel Talk

Road Trips Caravan Camping Australia

  • Home
  • Our Blog
  • Destinations
    • Australia Travel Blog
      • New South Wales
      • Queensland
        • Cairns
        • Sunshine Coast
        • Townsville
      • Tasmania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Americas
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Europe
      • Bosnia and Hercegovina
      • Croatia
      • Italy
      • Montenegro
      • Portugal
      • Slovenia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
        • Istanbul
    • Africa
      • Morocco
    • New Zealand / Pacific
  • Journey
    • Road Trips
    • Trains
    • Boat Trips
  • Travel Tips
    • Reviews
    • Destination Guides
    • Itineraries
    • Self Guided Walking Tours
    • Travel Resources
    • Budget Tips
    • Buying Guides
    • Interviews
  • Accommodation
    • Airbnb
    • Caravan Parks
    • Free Camping
    • Hotels
    • Housesitting
  • Experience
    • Food to Love
    • Festivals
    • Markets
    • Palaces and Castles
    • Ruins
    • Short Walks
    • Street Art
    • Bike Rides
  • Search
  • Home
  • Our Blog
  • Destinations
    • Australia Travel Blog
      • New South Wales
      • Queensland
        • Cairns
        • Sunshine Coast
        • Townsville
      • Tasmania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Americas
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Europe
      • Bosnia and Hercegovina
      • Croatia
      • Italy
      • Montenegro
      • Portugal
      • Slovenia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
        • Istanbul
    • Africa
      • Morocco
    • New Zealand / Pacific
  • Journey
    • Road Trips
    • Trains
    • Boat Trips
  • Travel Tips
    • Reviews
    • Destination Guides
    • Itineraries
    • Self Guided Walking Tours
    • Travel Resources
    • Budget Tips
    • Buying Guides
    • Interviews
  • Accommodation
    • Airbnb
    • Caravan Parks
    • Free Camping
    • Hotels
    • Housesitting
  • Experience
    • Food to Love
    • Festivals
    • Markets
    • Palaces and Castles
    • Ruins
    • Short Walks
    • Street Art
    • Bike Rides
  • Search
Nelly Bay Goodbye

Magnetic Island – See you later Nelly

May 9, 2013 By Jan Robinson 23 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


There are many images of sunshine, great views and fun times to share from our week’s house-sit on Maggie Island.

But today I am fast forwarding to our final day.  The skies have turned overcast, with gusting winds and rain squalls blowing through.  I like that side of  Island Life – a counterbalance for the brilliance.

It seemed appropriate somehow to leave on a dull day.

I walked across flowers in the grass to take one last beach walk.

Nelly Bay Flowers in the Grass

Nelly is not famous for it’s Watersports – Horseshoe Bay fills that role.

It is not full of childhood memories  – ARCADIA holds that place in my heart.

It is not the quiet backwater that is Picnic Bay.

Nor does it’s afternoon sun dissolve into the sea like at WEST POINT.

Here are some of the things Nelly Bay is:

  • The staging point for Magnetic Island, where the harbour hosts a continuous stream of ferries and barges.
  • Popular with Island residents who commute.
  • Holiday Accommodation that varies from Bright Point (Deluxe) at the Harbour End to Base Backpackers (Budget) at the Picnic Bay end.
  • Home to supermarkets, chemist, medical centre, bus depot, restaurants (try Man Fridays), School/Daycare, Bakery, one of the two petrol stations, the island’s Veterinary Surgery and a bottle shop – all of life’s necessities.
  • An architectural style that ranges from modern town houses with spa baths and ocean views to old style beach houses.
  • Home to the Full Moon Party at Base Backpackers.

A walk along the beach at Nelly tells the story of North Queensland life, delivered to it’s shore, as regularly as mail, by the south-easterly winds.

Coral dislodged from the fringing reefs washes up on the beach.

Nelly Bay Coral on Beach

Nelly Bay Under Bridge

A fishing lure lost then found.

Nelly Bay Fishing Lure

Cuttlefish for the bird cage.

Nelly Bay Cuttlefish

Sugar Cane delivered by sea.

Nelly Bay Sugar Cane

Coconuts from near and far.

Nelly Bay Coconut

Where kids play beneath the palms.

Nelly Bay Playground

And boats are left untended.

Nelly Bay Boat

Where a hammock awaits.

Nelly Bay Hammock

See you later Nelly.

Nelly Bay Goodbye

Why do I feel sad to leave?  

I guess it is like holidaying with a good friend whose company you always enjoy, who you feel comfortable with, who stimulates you, surprises you, and leaves you wanting more.

About Magnetic Island

  • MAGNETIC ISLAND is situated 8km from Townsville in North Queensland, Australia.
  • It has a population of 2,500 some of whom commute to work in Townsville.
  • 70% of the 5,000 hectares is National Park and it is situated in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
  • Average temperatures are 28 degrees maximum and 19 minimum.
  • Although bordering on the Wet  Tropics Townsville and Magnetic Island are in a rain shadow and average 320 days of sunshine each year.
  • Be aware that from November to March is hot, humid and marine stingers are more prevalent.
  • Early May, the time of our visit was excellent.  Temperatures ranged from a low of 20 to a high of 28 degrees with some showers.  The vegetation was green, and the water temperature pleasant but not hot like it can be in the Summer months.
  • Wildlife includes wallabies, koalas, curlews and whales Aug – Oct.
  • It has a very relaxed island lifestyle.

Join Nancie over at BUDGET TRAVELERS SANDBOX – TRAVEL PHOTO THURSDAY for her Bali photos and more link-ups from around the world.

More from my site

  • The Jewel in Portugal’s Crown is… SintraThe Jewel in Portugal’s Crown is… Sintra
  • What is Dogubayazit Turkey like?What is Dogubayazit Turkey like?
  • Moraine Lake Hike in the Canadian RockiesMoraine Lake Hike in the Canadian Rockies
  • Mouth-Watering Chef Cooked meals at Open Kitchen in LjubljanaMouth-Watering Chef Cooked meals at Open Kitchen in Ljubljana
  • Walk or Ride the Strand Townsville 2021Walk or Ride the Strand Townsville 2021
  • Santa Clara Sweet Things in BarcelonaSanta Clara Sweet Things in Barcelona

Filed Under: Australia Travel Blog, Destination, Townsville

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

Previous Post: «Rock Wallaby Feeding Rock Wallabies on Magnetic Island
Next Post: Florence Bay on Magnetic Island A Shady Entrance to the Beach»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sophie

    May 9, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    Island life in Queensland – yes, please! Looks fabulously relaxing, especially that hammock. Wonder about the name, though… magnetic?

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 9, 2013 at 7:19 pm

      It is Magnetic Island because when Captain Cook discovered it his compass went crazy so he thought the island was magnetic:)

      Reply
  2. Muza-chan

    May 9, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    Such beautiful, colorful photos 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 9, 2013 at 7:18 pm

      Thanks Muza-chan. Even brighter on a sunny day 🙂

      Reply
  3. Leigh

    May 10, 2013 at 2:15 am

    Sounds like a great place to me for a house sit – and temperatures I could live with. I love the sound of long walks along the beach!

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 10, 2013 at 9:40 am

      We have considered living there but think it is best left as a holiday destination 🙂

      Reply
  4. Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista

    May 10, 2013 at 3:33 am

    Not sure how you were able to leave that hammock! The view from there would be difficult to leave.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 10, 2013 at 9:46 am

      I did find it very hard to leave!

      Reply
  5. InsideJourneys

    May 10, 2013 at 3:35 am

    Beautiful. I’d want to leave on a cloudy day too.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 10, 2013 at 9:46 am

      Yes I would have been even sadder if I left with the sun shining!

      Reply
  6. Lisa from Gone With The Family

    May 10, 2013 at 4:32 am

    Looks like a beautiful place to spend a holiday! Love your photos particularly the last one sailing away with the Australian flag waving.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 10, 2013 at 9:45 am

      I am glad you like that photo. I was standing alone on that passenger deck looking back 🙁

      Reply
  7. Jennie

    May 10, 2013 at 12:09 pm

    You are making me want to return!

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 10, 2013 at 12:19 pm

      Ha Ha. It is overcast here at the moment. Buffy and I went for a walk down the Strand this morning (you see I have a new walking partner) and there were big cameras down there waiting to film the partial solar eclipse. Ooops – no sun!

      Reply
  8. Marisol@TavelingSolemates

    May 10, 2013 at 1:10 pm

    Love those photos by the shore. Seems like there’s lot to stumble into on a beach walk. And that shot of the hammock between the coconut tree is heavenly. I would be sad to leave as well.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 10, 2013 at 1:12 pm

      Well I have been back three days now and I am still sad. So to cheer myself up I am wallowing in our Spanish Photographs. It is hard to feel sad when faced with bright flamenco colours.:)

      Reply
  9. Lisa Wood

    May 10, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    Oh I so would never want to leave! Bu then again there are plenty more places waiting to be explored.
    Love the idea of the sun going away when leaving, like its saying goodbye.
    Never thought to live there and commute to work, what a great way to live.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 11, 2013 at 10:40 am

      If I was heading off to explore somewhere else Lisa I probably wouldn’t be sad, but as it is I am not 🙁 The only problem with the commute is the cost. The cheapest you can get for 10 trips is $10/trip. A one off return trip is $32.

      Reply
  10. Mary {The World Is A Book}

    May 10, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    The name Magnetic Island sounds intriguing. I wouldn’t want to leave such a relaxing place like this too. Love that first coral shot and the hammock with a view. Beautiful!

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 10, 2013 at 8:11 pm

      Captain Cook named it Magnetic because his compass went crazy. The coral shot is my fav. too 🙂

      Reply
  11. Cheryl @ Kids On A Plane

    May 12, 2013 at 1:09 pm

    Looks so relaxing! My favourite picture is the one of the coral 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 12, 2013 at 2:47 pm

      Mine too Cheryl! I had to get up close and personal on the sand with it 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Australia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Townsville Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Bosnia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Cambodia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Canada Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Croatia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Italy Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Laos Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Montenegro Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Morocco Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to New Zealand Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Slovenia Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Spain Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Turkey Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to the United States of America Budget Travel Talk's posts relating to Vietnam

Pinterest

Visit Budgettraveltalk's profile on Pinterest.

Top Australian and New Zealand Blogger for 2017

Im-a-Top-Australian-and-New-Zealand-Travel-Blogger-for-2017-Medium-Rectangle-300x250px (1)

Mature Bloggers Australia

Mature Bloggers Australia

Footer

Most Popular Posts

Whitsundays on a Budget – How to Get to Whitehaven Beach

Romantic Things for Couples to do in Rome including Valentines Day

Things to Do in Huskisson and Jervis Bay

Hobart to Bruny Island: Tours from Hobart or Self Drive Bruny Island?

Ferry to Eyup Istanbul for Pierre Loti views and Eyup Sultan Istanbul Mosque 2018

About Jan & Marty

We are Jan and Marty and we love travel.

The best thing about being in our 60’s is that our travel budget is flexible, allowing us to enjoy great experiences, good food and fun people. As with most things in life, it’s all about priorities.

Copyright © 2023 Budget Travel Talk - Journey. Destination. Experience.