The Barge from Townsville had just delivered us to Nelly Bay Magnetic Island in the north of Queensland, Australia. Our house-sit was only five minutes away from the barge terminal so within an hour we had unpacked and were off exploring in our 4WD vehicle.
It had been many years since we had visited West Point Magnetic Island and even then it had been in our boat, so we really had no idea about the condition of the road. We both had childhood memories of a dirt track so were pleasantly surprised to find that the bitumen road continued past the golf course at the back of Picnic Bay Magnetic Island.
Five minutes later, while smugly congratulating ourselves on our good fortune, the road surface changed to dirt. It wasn’t bad but there were occasional pot holes which limited our speed. All the better to soak up the sight and smell of the wattle trees in flower and as we neared the beach that salty ocean smell that I love.
Small fresh water creeks crossed the road quite regularly.
Ten minutes of dirt later we arrived amidst a collection of beach huts – probably ten in all – some hidden away in the bush and others clustered haphazardly near the sandy track.
It soon became apparent that we were in for a treat – a beach sunset – a rare occasion on the east coast of Australia where the sun sets over the land.
B.H. claimed that he planned it all, but then he would.
Budget Information:
- This road could be walked from Picnic Bay, but it would be best to have your own vehicle. Vehicles can be brought to the Island on Fantasea Barges for $178 per vehicle return trip. Including passengers.
- There are hire cars available on the island.
- Buses run to Picnic Bay, but not to West Point.
Read more about fun things to do in Townsville here and more about Australia here.
This post is linked to BUDGET TRAVELERS SANDBOX and Friday Dreamin’ at R WE THERE YET MOM.
BOOMERWIZDOM want to find the best beaches in the world.
Tuesday in Townsville – Strand Beach or Japanese Zen Garden
A beautiful place for relaxation. Great photos 🙂
Magnetic Island is a great place to relax Muza-chan – lots of lazy days 🙂
Hi Jan, what a beautiful sunset treat for you! Such a lovely golden glow. I’m surprise to learn from you that such sunset is rare in that part of Australia.
A sunset over the water is rare because the sun sets over the land – we do have nice sunsets though.:)
Great to see you have good weather despite Zane up north.
The first day was a bit cloudy but now we have blue skies. The south-easterlies are a bit strong but all is good. How is it up in Cairns?
Love the photo with the palms. You sure lucked out! The road looks like four wheel drive country.
The road was good enough for normal vehicles Leigh. We had a 4 wheel drive but did not need it. We didn’t get above 40 km/hour though.
Hello there, lovely pix and that is a really rare treat. I’ve heard so much about Magnetic Island and have seen it a couple of times but never been there – add to list!
Hi Seana, Maggie has a special place in our hearts – we spent our honeymoon here and have had several family holidays here as well. It is funny because it is so close to Townsville, but so very different.
Your sunset pictures are amazing but I really loved the beach scene with the palm trees! That one grabbed me. How I wish I was there right now!
I love the palm trees too Debbie. This is our third day here on the island and I have not stopped taking photos – and they nearly all feature palm trees.
What a gorgeous piece of paradise! I love beaches and sunsets and you’ve shared some fantastic scenic shots. Looks like you two had the place to yourselves.
You have to like deserted to like N.Q. beaches Mary. There were other people down the end of the beach near where the 3 cars were parked. There was one party of young people who were very restrained (even though they had a carton of beer on the beach :), and a couple there to watch the sunset, but it was very peaceful and quiet – we just walked down the beach and were all by ourselves.
Oh my goodness, please let me pack my bags and go here now! that sunset, those palm trees- after the snow I just got, I’m ready for a beach day!
Come on Over Kirsten. I can hear the waves lapping outside, the palm leaves rattling and birds 🙂
This looks so secluded and peaceful. Like you have it all to yourself.
I host a weekly party called “Oh, the PLACES I’ve been!” and would love to have you join. The link goes up at 7 pm EST on Thursday evenings.
– The Tablescaper
Wow! What an incredible view on that beach. I think I relaxed a bit just looking at the pictures.
You mentioned house sitting, do you do that often? I’ve been hearing about that a lot lately.
We house sat last year in Spain through the Trusted Housesitters site and loved it. This house-sit we arranged privately through my husband’s work. It really is a great way to travel cheaply. When B.H. retires next year we hope to do a lot more. It usually involves looking after a pet. In Spain we had a much loved dog to care for and this time we have one fish 🙂
Definitely a perfect spot to enjoy a beautiful sunset. For once, potholes have value.
So true 🙂
What a beautiful sunset! What I would do to be at a beach now! 🙂
We are loving the beach and island life 🙂
WOW! That is gorgeous.
Even though I have been coming to the Island all of my life I still love it.
I’ve never been that far north in Oz. Looks so pretty.
Isolation and beauty with beautiful sunsets Visiting from Photo Thursday
It looks absolutely idyllic, Jan. And what a gorgeous sunset – and I thought we had the dibs on sunset on the West Coast, but apparently not 😉
Oh gosh that sunset looks incredible…and I am so in awe of the gorgeous Magnetic Island……adding that to my must see place! Its so cold down here at the moment – so would love to explore up north where its a bit warmer 🙂
Now is the best time to visit Townsville Lisa. It is just pleasant – not too hot. I am glad I am not in the Gong now, although I do like it down there. When we came back from our RTW we visited my Bros. in the Gong and were blown away by the beautiful beaches. We are loving our house-sit on Maggie.
Ever since I’ve been reading your posts here and on other sites 😉 about Magnetic Island, I’ve been wanting to visit there. Looks like a perfect place to get a glimpse of a glorious sunset. Good for BH that he planned it all. 😉
Hmmm. I don’t think he actually planned it 🙂
Today he had to catch the boat to Townsville to go to work (for the first time since we have been on the island). After breakfast he informed me he had misread the timetable and instead of ten past eight the ferry actually left at ten to eight. He had the choice of rushing to catch the ferry or sitting on the balcony sipping a coffee and watching the parrots on the railing. I guess you know which one he chose.
I’ve yet to hear a bad word about Magnetic Island – Everyone seems to love it and want to stay forever… Your photos only urge me all the more to get there 🙂
It is hard for me to be objective about Maggie – she is too much like family – I love her regardless 🙂 Apart from Full Moon Parties at the Backpackers, the island is pretty quiet and peaceful.
Were you “cabin” sitting for someone who lives on the island full time? I guess so. It’s hard to imagine that someone would leave a fish at their vacation cabin. I would love to try housesitting, but the hubster still works full time and it doesn’t seem as though he plans on retiring any time soon—plus we have a pet (dog) of our own. The silver lining is that he gets to travel a good deal for work and I am a happy trailing spouse. (BTW, I read your “about”. Perth was one of the places we’ve visited (twice) for his work and we had the chance to spend a day on Rottnest Island–read your post about it.
Yes Suzanne the Town House owner lives on the island and works in Townsville, (which a lot of people do) and is currently away on holidays.
Perth is a lovely city. You are very lucky you can tag along on Hubster’s work trips. B.H. is retiring next year so we will be able to do more house-sitting then. It is a fantastic way to see the world on a budget. 🙂
Looks like a delightfully peaceful place to enjoy sunset.
It was delightfully unexpected as well, because I had forgotten all about the possibility of a sunset across the water.
What a beautiful place- looks like paradise. In the USA, West Point is a military academy on the Hudson River. The difference between the two kind of made me laugh.
That is funny. I hope others don’t dismiss it because of it’s title 🙁
Great sunset photos!
Thanks Dick 🙂