“The best things in life are free” so the saying goes and we’re sharing with you all the amazing free and budget friendly things to do on Magnetic Island.
We have also covered Magnetic Island accommodation, cafes and restaurants on Magnetic Island plus ferries to Magnetic Island.
Visiting the different bays should be top of your Magnetic Island to do list. There are a total of 23 bays and beaches on Magnetic Island although not all are easily accessible.
Getting around Magnetic Island
The options are public bus service (Sun Bus), BYO car or hire one.
Buses on Magnetic Island
Use Magnetic Island buses (Sun Bus) to get from Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal to Picnic Bay, Geoffrey Bay and Alma Bay Arcadia, Forts Walk Carpark and Horseshoe Bay.
Magnetic Island buses are modern, cool, cheap and run regularly, if not often, to every bay on the island with tarmac roads. They are slower than driving yourself but hey, riding the bus is a fun way to see the Island.
Combined Ferry and Bus ticket
On a day trip to Magnetic Island?
Then save money by buying a bus ticket and ferry package from Breakwater Terminal Townsville, or just pay for individual bus tickets as you go.
Car Hire Magnetic Island/Scooter Hire
Car Hire Magnetic Island providers have scooters, topless vehicles, 4WD’s or People Movers. Only 4WD vehicles can be driven off-road (i.e. West Point).
Car Ferry Magnetic Island
Lastly, it is possible to bring your own vehicle on the Magnetic Island Car Ferry. If you’re staying for a few days or a week or have a party of four, this can be an affordable and convenient way to explore Magnetic Island. Up to 4 passengers are included in the cost of the vehicle transport. If your vehicle is a 4WD they are even better when exploring.
Another thing to consider is time. If time is short, driving yourself will get you to more places than by bus.
Car Ferry/Camping Deal Magnetic Island
Ring Magnetic Ferries (07) 4796 9300 or Bungalow Bay Horseshoe Bay (07) 4778 5577 for Car/Campervan deal including a one night unpowered Campervan site at Bungalow Bay backpacker resort for 2 people and vehicle less than 5.5m and 2.5 tonne.
Nelly Bay Magnetic Island
All ferries arrive and depart from Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal at Nelly Bay. Nelly Bay has blossomed since the opening of the Ferry Terminal in 2003. Prior to it’s opening, ferries ran to jetties at both Picnic Bay and Geoffrey Bay Arcadia. Today both Passenger Ferries and Vehicle Ferries use Nelly Bay Terminal.
Everything required for a island holiday can be purchased at Nelly Bay including groceries from IGA. If they don’t have it you probably won’t need it. Chill dude.
Other Bays have small grocery stores for last minute purchases.
Nelly Bay Highlights
The snorkel trail which begins 100m off Base Backpackers Nelly Bay. Wear protective swim-wear November through May.
Gabul Way scenic path from Nelly Bay to Arcadia for walkers, wheelchairs and bicycles. Look for eagles.
Nelly Bay Magnetic Island Restaurants and Cafes
Early Bird Cafe, 104 Sooning Street, Nelly Bay 4819, where Scallywags used to be. The pirates have gone but the crew are carrying on the good work with great coffee and breakfast/brunch offerings from 7 am till 2 pm.
Drinks and meals on the deck of Peppers Blue on Blue Resort. The views are what you want from an Island Marina and it’s a great venue to chill in the late afternoon.
Island Burger, Base Backpackers (Now Nomads) at 1 Nelly Bay Road offer Classic Cheese to Fish to Vegan Burgers and more than burgers. Great Backpacker Style place with pool and full on Ocean Views.
Nelly Bay Magnetic Island Accommodation
Base Backpackers now Nomads Nelly Bay
Base Backpackers
Nomads Nelly Bay boast unbeatable ocean views from every room. It’s social central with live music right on the ocean. They get right down to business here. As soon as we walked in the front door we were at a cool bar overlooking an oval swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers. So inviting.
There is a good communal kitchen and snorkelling gear can be hired.
Picnic Bay Magnetic Island
Picnic Bay Jetty
Now that the Ferry no longer calls at the Jetty, Picnic Bay is a sleepy place, but it has some cool accommodation and a beautiful pedestrian mall precinct.
Put the Jetty to use by fishing from it.
Walk through the landscaped gardens beneath huge trees and along the foreshore path to the Hawkings Point end of the bay where you can see a boat wreck at low tide.
Relax on the idyllic beach.
Picnic Bay Beach looking toward Hastings Point.
Swim in the Stinger Enclosure backed by the Picnic Bay Surf Life Saving Club. Outside of Stinger Season the enclosure is removed, but most people still swim there.
Regardless of season Volunteer Surf Lifesavers patrol Saturday afternoon and Sundays as well as Public Holidays. Paid Lifesavers have a radio based there and do roving patrols every other day.
Picnic Bay Swimming Area in front of SLSC
Take in the fantastic views from Hawkings Point Lookout.
Where to Eat Picnic Bay
Mamma Roma at 1/9 the Esplanade, Picnic Bay. Every day except Monday they open 5 pm till 8 pm. They do Pizza and Pasta and they do it well. New Menu June 2026.
Geoffrey Bay Arcadia Magnetic Island
Geoffrey Bay is the 4 km long bay in Arcadia between Nelly Bay and Alma Bay.
The original Arcadia Jetty is located in Geoffrey Bay, on the point between Geoffrey and Alma Bays. The rocks surrounding the jetty home a tribe of Allied Rock Wallabies. It is super easy to see the wallabies and hangout with them and it is totally free, except for Wallaby Food available from local shops.
A snorkel trail passes an underwater boat wreck of a Moltke 3 masted barque and also the propeller of a WWII bomber. Wear protective swim wear November through May.
Where to Eat Geoffrey Bay Arcadia
Magnetic Island Beach Bums at 2/5 Bright Avenue, Arcadia offer good honest burgers and tacos and friendly service. They welcome doggoes out in the back courtyard. We went there with a group of people and it was such a pleasant evening.
Arcadia Village Hotel at 7 Marine Parade Arcadia sits on the corner of Geoffrey Bay and Alma Bays. They have a full week’s roster all worked out. Wednesday is Toad Racing Night!
The iconic Bikini Tree gained popularity in the 1950’s although she has worn underwear since the 1930’s. Many people have fond memories of this Mango Tree which is on the site of the then Arcadia Guest House.
A huge bonus is the Hotel’s Swimming Pool which is available for dining and drinking guests to use.
Bikini Tree Arcadia
Alma Bay Magnetic Island
Swimming spot at Alma Bay Arcadia
Swimming in Alma Bay
Alma Bay Arcadia is the cutest bay to swim in. It does not have a stinger enclosure (Picnic Bay and Horseshoe Bays do) but it does have a surf life saving club.
Alma Bay is a protected bay with a well maintained park directly behind it. Think green grass and coconut palms.
The Cenotaph here is where Anzac Day Memorial Services are held. Soldiers walk from the RSL down the road for Dawn Service.
Alma Bay Park
Most locals (rightly or wrongly) feel safe to swim in this bay. The general consensus is that marine stingers don’t usually come here.
Marine Stinger Season is November through May.
Lifesaving Flags out at Alma Bay
Read this article about swimming on Magnetic Island.
Be Radical at Radical Bay Magnetic Island
Catch a bus to the Forts Car Park and Hike to Radical Bay and Florence Bay. Radical Bay is after Florence Bay when hiking from the Forts Car Park. When hiking from Horseshoe Bay Radical Bay is first.
Idyllic Radical Bay
Leave only your footprints on the pristine golden sand beach at Radical Bay Magnetic Island.
Clear blue water gently laps the shoreline. Swim in it.
Untouched sand lines the shore. Bury your toes in it.
Huge granite boulders protect the beach. Play hide and seek in them.
Doze beneath the Beach Almond trees and dream of Robinson Crusoe.
Read how to access Radical Bay Magnetic Island.
Where to eat at Radical Bay
Pack a picnic and spend the day, but remember you will have to carry it in, unless coming by boat.
Radical Bay is a pristine deserted bay. There are no restaurants, bars or shops at Radical Bay. Horseshoe Bay is the closest bay with these facilities.
There is a huge tree on the foreshore which is a nice shady place to picnic.
Exploring the boulders is a fun thing to do. You can walk on the sand amongst them and discover caves.
Flirt with Florence Bay Magnetic Island
Catch a bus to the Forts Car Park and Hike to Radical Bay and Florence Bay. Florence is before Radical Bay when hiking from this direction.
You can also hike from Horseshoe Bay, in which case Radical Bay is first.
It is time for a holiday flirtation and I know just the person.
Spend the day flirting with Florence and get to know her a lot better.
Lay beneath her She Oaks.
Follow her curvy shoreline.
Reach heights on her monumental rocks.
Comb her beaches.
Snorkel her fringing reef, found on the left of the bay when standing on the beach.
It’s pure seduction flirtation.
See more of Florence Bay Magnetic Island.
Where to Eat at Florence Bay
There is no road access to Florence Bay and there are no restaurants, bars or shops at Radical Bay. Horseshoe Bay is the closest bay with these facilities. Pack a picnic and spend the day, but remember you will have to carry it in, unless coming by boat.
Horseshoe Bay Magnetic Island
If you love water-sports and one cool little waterfront street with a handful of restaurants, shops, cafes and bars then head to Horseshoe Bay Magnetic Island.
Where to eat at Horseshoe Bay Magnetic Island
Ankah Beach Bar and Restaurant at 7 Pacific Drive is the place to relax. Friday is Curry Night (they’re good) and they have Disney for the Kids.
Cafe Nourish at 3/6 Pacific Drive is you brekkie/brunch place at Horseshoe Bay. Nice Fresh Juice Selection too. Every day 7 am till 2 pm.
Horseshoe Bay Markets
Sunday, from 9 am till 2 pm from March to January. We visited a few months ago and the number of stalls has increased and the selection is amazing.
Photograph a Koala on the Forts Walk Magnetic Island
Doing the Forts Walk Magnetic Island is your best chance of a Magnetic Island koala sighting. The forts are from WWII when Townsville was bombed by the Japanese and secondly to find some of the many Koalas on Magnetic Island. The forts are well worth the hour hike through Aussie bushland. The Forts were used to spot Japanese planes, so it’s no surprise that the views out over the coral sea from the forts are spell-binding. Peruse the forks in the trackside gum trees to find some sleepy Blinky Bills (koalas). It’s one of the best things to do on Magnetic Island as far as I’m concerned. I think they are even cuter than the rock wallabies, but they shouldn’t be fed.
Find wild Koalas on Magnetic Island and explore the Magnetic Island Forts Walk.
Feed Rock Wallabies Magnetic Island
Rock Wallaby Magnetic Island.
For an incredible dose of cuteness find yourself some wild Magnetic Island rock wallabies. If you are living on Magnetic Island in a holiday home near rocks or bordering the National Park, they will find you in the late afternoon for a free feed. But if you’re just day tripping, head to the old arcadia jetty, park your scooter or topless hire car and walk toward the boulders at the back near the shelter. The wily wallabies will start peeking from crevices and peering from boulders. Before long they will be eating from your hand and you will be wallaby feeding Magnetic Island style. Don’t forget to drop some bread over the edge of the jetty and check out the fish!
Read about Feeding Magnetic Island Rock Wallabies.
Catch a romantic Magnetic Island Sunset
West Point Magnetic Island is the best place to catch a Magnetic Island Sunset. It is the only beach on Magnetic Island facing directly west toward the setting sun. There won’t be many others sharing the sunset with you, as West Point is accessed via a 6 km dirt road from Picnic Bay. Shortly after leaving Picnic Bay turn right off Yule Street to access Magnetic Island Golf Club.
Although it is a gravel road, it’s fairly good and you shouldn’t have any trouble accessing the beach. There are a few beach houses hidden away and maybe a tinny pulled up on the beach. This is what living in North Queensland is about.
Check out the Sunset at West Point Magnetic Island.
Magnetic Island Pubs
Thirsty or hankering after an island counter meal or pub meal?
We’ve got you covered.
Marlin Bar Magnetic Island
Found on the foreshore at Horseshoe Bay, the Marlin Bar is open to the balmy North Queensland weather via fully opened bifold windows.
Pull up a seat with beach views to the moored yachts or people watch on the footpath. An island visit is not complete without a cold drink at the Marlin Bar.
Picnic Bay Hotel
Great Counter Meals. Indoor Air-conditioned plus undercover outdoor seating. The menu is impressive and we’ve always had great meals here.
Arcadia Village Hotel
Counter meals, beers, pool and toad racing. Hotel Arcadia is easy to access from both Alma Bay and Geoffrey Bay and has a few shops attached in the complex. The Bus stops directly out the back.
Nelly Bay
Peppers Blue on Blue is a great spot to have a coldie and boat watch. Yes it is directly on the water at Nelly Bay Harbour.
The Island Bar Nelly Bay (yes it is at Nomads).
Magnetic Island Camping
There is limited camping available on Magnetic Island.
Camping is not allowed in the National Park or on beaches.
Where to camp on Magnetic Island – Bungalow Bay Resort Horseshoe Bay
Bungalow Bay Resort at 40 Horseshoe Bay Road offers powered and unpowered sites for up to seven days. Both tents and Campervans are welcome. Powered and Unpowered available.
Bungalow Bay Resort is also the YHA Magnetic Island. They have a camp kitchen and an on-site Wildlife Park where you can hold a Koala (charge applies). It is possible to upgrade from camping for a few more dollars to an air-conditioned A-Frame. It’s only a short walk to the Horseshoe Bay Beach.
Where to camp on Magnetic Island – Base Backpackers now Nomads Nelly Bay
Base Backpackers in Nelly Bay is situated directly on the foreshore with a bar and pool and allow unpowered camping in your own tent. It’s a great spot and the only camping Magnetic Island on the water. Out the front is a lovely long and mostly unvisited beach.
Dog Friendly Cafes Sunshine Coast plus Restaurants and Bars