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Forts Walk Koala

Koalas on the Forts Walk Magnetic Island

February 24, 2019 By Jan Robinson 7 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.


Magnetic Island off the coast of Townsville in North Queensland has many National Park walks connecting the bays. The Island was a defence post in WWII and the walk leads to artillery installations, ammunition bunkers and of course the forts with their gob-smacking enemy-spotting views. Viewing war paraphernalia in such a peaceful location is surreal to say the least – but if it’s koalas you’re looking for, this sauntering 4km return walk, through natural bushland of Australia, practically guarantees a sighting.

Forts Walk Koala

These cuties are ready to Pin.

Find Koalas on Magnetic Island
The Forts Walk on Magnetic Island Australia is a great place to see Koalas
Find a Koala in Australia on the Forts Walk Magnetic Island
Find Koalas on Magnetic Island’s Forts Walk
Find Koalas on the Forts Walk on Magnetic Island in North Queensland Australia
Koalas in the trees beside the Forts Walk Track on Magnetic Island Australia

What You Will Find in This Post

  • More about Magnetic Island’s wildlife.
  • Forts Walk Magnetic Island
    • How to get to the Forts Walk trailhead
    • World War II on Magnetic Island
    • WWII Relics and Bats
  • Koalas on the Forts Walk
    • How to Find Koalas
  • Views from this Magnetic Island Walking Track
  • Budget Travel Tips
    • What to take on the Forts Walk.
    • Track Accessibility.
    • Being Safe in the Aussie Bush.
    • Magnetic Island Camping.
    • How long does the Forts Walk take?
    • Magnetic Island Beaches
    • Magnetic Island Weather
    • Best Time to Visit Magnetic Island
  • How to get to Magnetic Island
  • Find more fun things to do in Townsville.
    • More from my site

More about Magnetic Island’s wildlife.

Around 200,000 people visit Magnetic Island each year and locals are onboard with protecting their island’s flora and fauna. To find out more about wildlife on the Island click here.

Forts Walk Magnetic Island

How to get to the Forts Walk trailhead

Access is from the parking area and bus stop on the Arcadia to Horseshoe Bay road, just before its final descent into Horseshoe Bay. Let the Magnetic Island Bus driver know you want the Forts Walk and he’ll drop you there. From here a pot-holed bitumen road leads to Arthur, Florence and Radical Bays, but there is no vehicle access to the Forts.

In May, flowering Wattle Trees bring their brilliant colour and unique but delicate aroma to the track.

Forts Walk Magnetic Island

World War II on Magnetic Island

World War II enthusiasts will appreciate the rough concrete box like structures dotted along the way, a sober reminder that Townsville, only 8 km away, was bombed on three separate occasions in July 1942. Luckily the attacks only resulted in one injury and a near miss on the railway bridge across the Ross River.

That is Cape Cleveland you can see in the background. It’s part of the mainland but is quite often mistaken for an island.

Forts Walk WWII relics

WWII Relics and Bats

The walls and roof of this WWII Powder Keg are made of 12 inch (30cm) reinforced concrete.  Located away from the guns and soldiers it was used to store ammunition.  Inside is the cutest cluster of Little Bentwing Bats each only 45mm long, (captured here by Jim McLean), huddled on the ceiling.  They are vulnerable to disturbance by humans so use a dim light without shining it directly on the ceiling.

Forts Powder Keg on the Forts Walk Magnetic Island

Koalas on the Forts Walk

But the real draw card for tourists and locals alike, is the possibility of spotting Koalas in the wild.  I have been known to joke that the National Park Rangers round the koalas up each morning and deposit them in the trees beside the track. Looking for koalas on the Forts walk is at the top of our favourite things to do on Magnetic Island list.

They might look cute and cuddly but the koalas you see here are wild.  If they feel threatened they will climb higher into the trees, which means they can’t be easily seen and if cornered they will fight. By the way, Koalas can be held (for a price) at BUNGALOW BAY KOALA VILLAGE, just down the hill in Horseshoe Bay.

Marty spotted this adorable koala only four metres off the ground.

Forts Walk Koalas Magnetic Island

How to Find Koalas

Koalas sleep during the day, so movement can’t be relied upon as an indicator. The trick is to walk slowly and scan the forks of trees, remembering that koalas might be quite close to the ground. They snuggle down into an accommodating fork and sleep the day away.

If you can’t find one don’t be shy.

Ask everyone you meet along the track if they have seen any.

Everyone loves sharing a koala sighting.

Our friend is adamant that she saw thirteen in one day. Hmmm. I’ve never seen that many on the one walk.

Views from this Magnetic Island Walking Track

Granite boulders, giant hoop pines and unspoilt bays can be seen from vantage points along the way.  At the top lookout which is set back a little from the ocean there are superb views down to Horseshoe Bay, back to the Mainland, across to Cape Cleveland, and north to the Palm Island  Group.

Access to the highest fort is by steep ladder-like steps with handrails.

Horseshoe Bay’s distinct horseshoe shape.

Views from the forts walking track range through North, East and South. West Point on the other side of Magnetic Island is known for it’s sunsets. See more Australian Sunsets.

View from the Fort Lookout

 

Budget Travel Tips

What to take on the Forts Walk.

  • Drinking Water
  • Hat
  • Sunscreen on your skin

There are no shops/kiosks on the walk, the nearest being in Horseshoe Bay.

Track Accessibility.

The track is not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.

Being Safe in the Aussie Bush.

As always in the Australian Bush keep be watchful for snakes.  Snakes stay away from humans, but if you surprise one on the track, stand still and then slowly back away, and invariably it will slither quickly into the bush.

Magnetic Island Camping.

Bungalow Bay Koala Resort (YHA) at Horseshoe Bay is the only official Magnetic Island camping destination. It caters for tents and Campervans. Island roads are narrow and quite steep in places and not suitable for larger caravans. Privately owned and currently unused Radical Bay is sometimes used as a free (unauthorised) camping area.

How long does the Forts Walk take?

The Forts Walk Magnetic Island only takes 90 minutes to complete, making it achievable on a Magnetic Island day trip.

Magnetic Island Beaches

Magnetic Island beaches are spread out around the island so that no matter what the prevailing breezes, or ocean conditions, there will always be somewhere to relax in the sun, or in the shade of a She Oak tree. The island has twenty-three beaches although not all of them are accessible by road.

Magnetic Island Weather

The Island’s Weather is determined by it’s location in the dry tropics, with an average of 320 days of sunshine each year. It has an average maximum temperature of 28.7C and an average minimum of 19.5C.

November to April (Wet Season) is Stinger Season on Magnetic Island and both Picnic Bay and Horseshoe Bay have stinger enclosures for swimming. Stinger suits are recommended for swimming outside of these enclosures.

Best Time to Visit Magnetic Island

Winter in North Queensland (June to August) boasts temperatures of around 26 degrees and with no marine stingers in the water, it is the perfect time to visit Magnetic Island.

How to get to Magnetic Island

Catch a Magnetic Island ferry:

  • Sealink Passenger Ferry – Breakwater Terminal, Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville (City Side of Ross Creek). Best for a Magnetic Island day trip.
  • Fantasea Magnetic Island Car Ferry – Ross Street, South Townsville (South Side of Ross Creek). Best for a longer trip if travelling by car.

For more furry creature adventures on Magnetic Island read about feeding the Rock Wallabies at Arcadia.

 

Find more fun things to do in Townsville.

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  • St Lawrence Wetlands Kangaroos and HistorySt Lawrence Wetlands Kangaroos and History
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Filed Under: Destination, Townsville, Wildlife

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.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Barbara

    May 29, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    I have such wonderful memories of Magnetic Island. I loved the bushwalking, the mini mokes and the mangoes! We had many family holidays on Maggie, as well as school camps.
    I should organise a trip back there.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 29, 2013 at 4:29 pm

      You should – I look forward to it!

      Reply
  2. Kathy Marris

    May 3, 2016 at 9:03 pm

    I never knew that there were Koalas on Magnetic island. You did well to photograph them. They are sometimes very hard to spot in trees because as you say they climb up very high. Horseshoe Bay is very scenic – it reminds me a little of Wineglass Bay in Tassie.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 3, 2016 at 10:16 pm

      Marty and I love Magnetic Island. Marty’s family holidayed there every year and my Dad managed one of the hotels for 3 months. He managed the ferries to the island for yonks – 20 years or more – so I have a big history with it. Marty and I also spent part of our honeymoon there. I guess it is like Rottnest is to those who live in Perth. Very laid back, dry for most of the year but after rain it is beautiful with hidden rock swimming pools in the hills and inaccessible except by boat, beaches. Lots of big boulders, tall pines on the hills and she oaks on the beaches.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tuesday in Townsville and a Mini Break at Mission Beach says:
    September 16, 2014 at 9:16 pm

    […] off-shore is our special Maggie, formally known as Magnetic Island; while driving an hour or so west leads to Charters Towers or Charlies Trousers an old gold […]

    Reply
  2. Aussie Travel Bloggers Top Travel Spots in Australia | 50 Shades of Age says:
    October 21, 2016 at 8:01 am

    […] To read the full article on Magnetic Island see Budget Travel Talk […]

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  3. Love you Queensland! - 50 Shades of Age says:
    July 27, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    […] Jan Robinson – Budget Travel Talk […]

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