Nature Trails

Magnetic Island is a distinctive granite-based island of 5184ha and rising to 497m 8km across Celeveland Bay from Townsville, north Queensland's largest city.

Here are listed the walks which have been establshed and clearly marked across the Island.

But remember this a tropical island and largely untouched. You will need good walking shoes, a sun hat, plenty of protective sun cream and water.

Nelly Bay to Arcadia
(6km, 2 hours)

Starting from the end of Mandalay Avenue in Nelly Bay, the track leads through a refreshing pocket of rainforest.

From there a gradual climb follows the gully alongside Gustav Creek to saddle between Nelly and Horseshoe Bays.The walk from Nelly Bay to the saddle and back can be most interesting 45 minutes. 

For those interested in a longer walk, the track continues along a ridge through open eucalypt forest with views over Horseshoe Bay. The track then branches, one route leading to Horseshoe Bay Road where you can continue on to another track detailed later.

The other passes through an area frequented by numerous bush birds and then to Arcadia. A short side-branch on top of the hill above Arcadia leads to Sphinx Lookout. bush birds and then to Arcadia. A short side-branch on top of the hill above Arcadia leads to Sphinx Lookout.

Cockle Bay

Horseshoe Bay Road to Arthur Bay (2km, 30min)and Florence Bay (4km, 1 hour)
At the crest of Horseshoe Bay Road is a private ungazetted road which provided easy walking access. 

These undeveloped bays with their pleasant beaches, opportunities for swimming coral reefs are ideal for those willing to walk a little.  Between the bays, the road takes you through low eucalypt forest.

Awaiting Picture

Horseshoe Bay Road to The Forts (2km, 1 1/2 hours return)                                                                          
Diverging from the start of the Arthur Bay track is a track which takes you along a ridge behind the bays. 

At the summit is a complex of gun emplacements, abservation and command posts built during World War ll. 

These posts offer superb views of the bays below and north to the Palm Islands. To the south is Cape Cleveland and Bowling Green Bay National Park.

Horseshoe Bay Lagoon(730m)

A few hundred metres from Horseshoe Bay beach, just off the main road, is a short track which leads to Horseshoe Bay Lagoon Environmental Park. If you approach quietly, you may see some of the many waterbirds which
frequent this freshwater lagoon.

Awaiting Picture

Horseshoe Bay to Balding Bay (3km, 45 min)and Radical Bay (3km, 45 min)

At the eastern end of Horseshoe Bay beach is a track which climbs through a steep gully of closed forest to the open eucalypt vegetation of the ridges. 

At the crest, the track branches, one winding down to secluded Balding Bay, the other continues to Radical Bay.

For further information contact. The Ranger, Hurst Street (end of Granite Street) Picnic Bay Magnetic Island, Qld
Telephone (07) 47785  5378