Magnetic Island

Introducing Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island, or simply ‘Maggie’, is shrouded by smooth grey boulders dipping into the sea. Half the island is national park and a haven for rock wallabies, bats and brushtail possums. Bird life bursts out of the bush, and it’s the largest natural koala sanctuary in Queensland (some say Australia), so spotting fuzzy grey bums in the foliage is a mandatory pursuit. A good network of trails makes for some spectacular bushwalking and the surrounding waters are also part of the precious Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Local buses, named the likes of ‘Sassy Sarina’, swerve from one cosy cove to another. Folk crossing the ferry to their fibro shacks and architecturally designed holiday retreats love cracking a ‘tinnie’ on the ferry at dusk – leaving their worries behind on the mainland. Developers are daring to dream too, if the island’s modern Magnetic Harbour is anything to go by. Magnetic Island might just boom – but we hope not too soon, too fast.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009