Last week, I visited Townsville for the very first time. With 320 sunny days per year and 28 kilometres of pristine coastline, it was the perfect place to escape the winter chill back home in Sydney. I knew Townsville was a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, along with the majestic Magnetic and Hinchinbrook Islands. What I didn’t expect? That I could explore one of these tropical island gems – just 20 minutes from the city – for the bargain price of $1. Yep, a whole island adventure for the cost of a cheeky servo coffee.
Located a scenic 20-minute ferry ride across the Coral Sea from Townsville, Magnetic Island – or Yunbenun to the Traditional Wulgurukaba People – is one of Australia’s most accessible island escapes. Sure, it’s got 23 palm-fringed beaches and secluded bays to laze about on, but there’s so many other natural wonders to discover. More than two-thirds of the island is protected National Park, woven with 25 kilometres of interconnected hiking trails that lead to fringing coral reefs, WWII forts and breathtaking ocean lookouts. Plus, it’s home to the largest colony of koalas in Northern Australia.
To reach Magnetic Island, you’ll need to cover the ferry fare, which is $22 one-way for adults and $11 for kids – a small price for a ticket to paradise. Plus, with 17 daily services run by SeaLink, a day trip is super doable. Once you depart the ferry at Nelly Bay Terminal, it’s just a 30-second walk to the bus stop, where Sunbus runs hop-on-hop-off services in both directions – one route heads to Picnic Bay and the other to Horseshoe Bay. I couldn’t believe it when the bus driver told me a full day of unlimited rides would set me back just $1. Not even a bottle of water from the supermarket is that cheap these days!
Even better, Magnetic Island is a breeze to explore on a budget. I took the Sunbus to Forts Junction, where the island’s most popular walk starts. Named after the WWII coastal defence forts along the route, the 90-minute return Forts Walk offers the perfect blend of history, nature and wildlife. From the summit, I was rewarded with 360-degree views over pristine bays and dense national park. And while walking, I was lucky to spot one of the island’s resident koalas snoozing in the trees. Fun fact: Magnetic Island is home to the largest colony of koalas in Northern Queensland and has a dedicated hospital that works to rehabilitate injured and abandoned koalas.
After reaching the summit of the Forts Walk, you can veer down a trail to the stunning, secluded Florence Bay. I chose to head back to the trail’s start and hopped on the bus to Horseshoe Bay using my unlimited pass. While Horseshoe is one of Magnetic Island’s more popular beaches, it comes with a charming strip of shops featuring cosy local galleries, beach boutiques and plenty of spots to grab a bite. If you’re on a budget, you can pack your own lunch and settle for a picnic by the shore before taking a refreshing dip.
Unfortunately, the weather turned after lunch, so I made my way back to Nelly Bay to catch the ferry to Townsville. But on a bright, sunny day – which Magnetic Island enjoys 320 days a year – I’d have jumped on the bus to Arcadia for a swim in the stunning Alma Bay or explored the famous snorkel trail at Geoffrey Bay – home to giant clams, the Moltke shipwreck and other fascinating WWII relics. Bonus tip: If you’ve got time, catch the bus further north to Cockle Bay to check out the Instagram-famous SS City of Adelaide – a historic shipwreck located 300 metres offshore and accessible at low tide. You might as well make the most of that $1 bus fare!
Magnetic Island’s $1 hop-on, hop-off bus fare is an extension of the Queensland Government’s 50 Cent Fares initiative, which has now been extended permanently. But if this initiative ever ends, fares would revert to $7 for a full‑day pass – which I’d still consider cheap compared to most destinations in Australia. Keen for island time? Here are the best things to do in Townsville right now.