Goldenbackpacker.com

MAGNETIC ISLAND - STAY FOR LESS "A$"

MAGNETIC ISLAND (QLD) is a 20mins (8km) boat journey from Townsville’s ferry terminal to the Picnic Bay Pier & it’s a “tropical island” treasure. Its also another Oz coastal location named by Captain Cook who experienced some problems with his compasses when passing, blaming the island for a magnetic influence. Today a main difference between “Maggie” & other islands you may visit along the Queensland Coast is that it has its own resident community, giving it real colour & character. The island also boasts some of the best beaches & bays & an average of 320 fine sunny days annually.

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – TRAVELLERS BACKPACKERS AT 1 The Esplanade. Picnic Bay (at the land end of the Ferry Pier at Picnic Bay) freecall (Q) 1800 000 290, www.travellers-on-maggie.com - $15 pn in 4 bed rooms en suite. Compound s/c kitchen & o/side eating/ sitting area. Bar, pool tables, mega screen TV area, swimming pool, beach ball court, laundry, lawns & wildlife - parrots, possum & not forgetting “Rinty” an 8ft Crocodile in a cage next to the bar. This is an ideal hostel on a paradise island, lots going on especially at night so never a dull moment

Reserves – "MaggiesBeach House” Horseshoe Bay, freecall 1800 001 544, www.maggiesbeachhouse.com.au “ Geoff’s Place YHA” inland on Horseshoe Bay Road freecall 1800 285 577, www.yha.com.au These hostels were not checked out by GB but locations are good & both easy to get to by courtesy busses, which call, at the ferry jetty to drop off & pick up backpackers

FOOD can be bought at local stores on the Island but the selection is limited & prices high. The best way to self cater is to bring all your main food stock from Townsville & the main Woolworths Supermarket where the range is extensive & you will save a packet of $$. Bistro budget meals are also available from the hostel’s bar.

TRAVELLING AROUND – getting to the island is by the regular Sunferries service, which currently lands at Picnic Bay but soon to be at the new Nelly Bay Harbour. Once on the island & settled in your hostel travel is by many modes the first being on foot using the many trails & tracks which cross & circumnavigate the island. Next is the local bus service which meets every ferry & each bus has its own name, they also run tours. Then there are the “topless” cars if you get a group together, Mini Mokes are the trendiest. Or there are 4 wheel drives, scooters & bikes to hire onshore or jetski, kayak or boats off shore

“FREE” SIGHTS TO SEE

1. Picnic Bay Front – Tropical palms, banyon trees & large boulders frame this idealic beach front
2. “ “ Hawkins Point – Lookout over Bay after winding track reaches huge granite boulder
3. “ “ Golf Course – Green parkland oasis of 9 holes surrounded by rocks & gum trees
4. Nelly Bay – Great for leisurely walks, swimming & sailing, soon to become the main ferry port
5. Geoffrey Bay – Designated Park B Zone – no fishing or collecting, fish at wharf almost tame
6. Arthur Bay – Best snorkelling towards point & caves which protect large variety of reef fish
7. Horseshoe Bay – Largest bay ideal for all watersports & boats out to the Great Barrier Reef
8. The Forts – Inland command post from WW11 with old defences & now a haven for Koalas
9. West Point – Remotest part of island with one way track, the only one to face the mainland.
10. Mt Cook – Highest point on the island at 497mtrs. & a real challenge to conquer for the prize view

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. M.I. Bus Tour – 3 hour fully guided tour at 9am. & 1pm. daily to see most of the island delights
2. Moke Hire – Best alternative if you want freedom to stop/roam on the way, but you need to share

• Rinty – Jill – Margaret – Nick - Sue