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West Point Magnetic Island Sunset

May 2, 2013 By Jan Robinson 44 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.


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.

Dirt Road to West Point

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.

View back to Townsville from West Point

Maggie 5

Maggie 6

Maggie 9

Maggie 10

Maggie 11

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.

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Filed Under: Budget Travel Tips, 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: «Japanesy Garden Tuesday in Townsville – Strand Beach or Japanese Zen Garden
Next Post: Rock Wallabies on Magnetic Island Rock Wallaby Feeding»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Muza-chan

    May 2, 2013 at 8:39 pm

    A beautiful place for relaxation. Great photos 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 3, 2013 at 9:00 am

      Magnetic Island is a great place to relax Muza-chan – lots of lazy days 🙂

      Reply
  2. Marisol@TavelingSolemates

    May 2, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 3, 2013 at 9:00 am

      A sunset over the water is rare because the sun sets over the land – we do have nice sunsets though.:)

      Reply
  3. Danielle (Bubs on the Move)

    May 2, 2013 at 9:05 pm

    Great to see you have good weather despite Zane up north.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 3, 2013 at 8:58 am

      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?

      Reply
  4. Leigh

    May 3, 2013 at 12:30 am

    Love the photo with the palms. You sure lucked out! The road looks like four wheel drive country.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 3, 2013 at 8:57 am

      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.

      Reply
  5. Seana - Sydney, Kids, Food + Travel

    May 3, 2013 at 1:45 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 3, 2013 at 8:56 am

      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.

      Reply
  6. Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista

    May 3, 2013 at 3:10 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 3, 2013 at 8:54 am

      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.

      Reply
  7. Mary {The World Is A Book}

    May 3, 2013 at 4:01 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 3, 2013 at 8:53 am

      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.

      Reply
  8. kirsten

    May 3, 2013 at 7:52 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 3, 2013 at 8:49 am

      Come on Over Kirsten. I can hear the waves lapping outside, the palm leaves rattling and birds 🙂

      Reply
  9. The Tablescaper

    May 3, 2013 at 10:11 am

    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

    Reply
  10. Tonya @ The Traveling Praters

    May 3, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 3, 2013 at 4:09 pm

      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 🙂

      Reply
  11. InsideJourneys

    May 3, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    Definitely a perfect spot to enjoy a beautiful sunset. For once, potholes have value.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 3, 2013 at 4:06 pm

      So true 🙂

      Reply
  12. Cheryl @ Kids On A Plane

    May 3, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    What a beautiful sunset! What I would do to be at a beach now! 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 3, 2013 at 4:06 pm

      We are loving the beach and island life 🙂

      Reply
  13. Nancie

    May 4, 2013 at 7:48 am

    WOW! That is gorgeous.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 4, 2013 at 9:21 am

      Even though I have been coming to the Island all of my life I still love it.

      Reply
  14. Sophie

    May 4, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    I’ve never been that far north in Oz. Looks so pretty.

    Reply
  15. Eileen Ludwig

    May 4, 2013 at 11:28 pm

    Isolation and beauty with beautiful sunsets Visiting from Photo Thursday

    Reply
  16. Johanna at ZigaZag WA Travel & Lifestyle

    May 5, 2013 at 5:14 pm

    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 😉

    Reply
  17. Lisa Wood

    May 5, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 6, 2013 at 9:26 am

      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.

      Reply
  18. Cathy Sweeney

    May 6, 2013 at 6:40 am

    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. 😉

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 6, 2013 at 9:18 am

      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.

      Reply
  19. Linda ~ Journey Jottings

    May 6, 2013 at 11:48 am

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 6, 2013 at 1:33 pm

      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.

      Reply
  20. Suzanne Fluhr (Just One Boomer)

    May 6, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 6, 2013 at 4:41 pm

      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. 🙂

      Reply
  21. Gaelyn

    May 7, 2013 at 12:27 am

    Looks like a delightfully peaceful place to enjoy sunset.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 7, 2013 at 12:22 pm

      It was delightfully unexpected as well, because I had forgotten all about the possibility of a sunset across the water.

      Reply
  22. santafetravelers

    May 7, 2013 at 4:19 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 7, 2013 at 12:21 pm

      That is funny. I hope others don’t dismiss it because of it’s title 🙁

      Reply
  23. Dick Jordan

    May 9, 2013 at 9:17 am

    Great sunset photos!

    Reply
    • Jan

      May 9, 2013 at 10:00 am

      Thanks Dick 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Magnetic Island - See you later Nelly says:
    May 10, 2013 at 9:52 am

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

    Reply

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