All the pieces it is advisable to know on how one can get to Magnetic Island in Tropical North Queensland – a spot so magical we made it our everlasting residence!
Positioned simply 8km from town of Townsville and proper within the coronary heart of the Nice Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland is the gorgeous Magnetic Island, one of the unimaginable locations in all of Australia.
Over time the island has develop into a serious vacationer hotspot because of its pristine seashores, laidback vibes, various wildlife and adventurous actions.
The benefit of entry to get to Magnetic Island has additionally helped its current growth in guests, with ferries going each 20 minutes from Queensland’s second-largest metropolis.
We cherished the island a lot once we visited that we ended up shopping for a block of land and constructing a house there!
Yep, after 12 years travelling the world, this place is simply that magical that we wished to remain endlessly. And after you go to we’re positive you’ll really feel the identical.
Tips on how to Get to Magnetic Island – The Full Information
Right here is our full information on attending to Magnetic Island.
And whilst you’re at it, don’t miss out on these different nice Maggie Island articles we’ve put collectively:
Attending to Townsville
Very first thing, to recover from to Magnetic Island it is advisable to make your solution to Townsville in Far North Queensland so you possibly can bounce on the ferry, as there isn’t a airport on the island itself.
Townsville is nicely related through street, rail and air, so getting right here received’t be a difficulty.
There’s additionally lots of epic issues to do in Townsville, so be sure you have just a few days spare on both facet of your Maggie journey!
Driving to Townsville
Townsville is positioned on the intersection of Queensland’s two main highways – the Bruce Freeway that goes from Brisbane to Cairns, and the Flinders Freeway that goes from Townsville inland to Mt Isa.
The drive from Brisbane takes about 16 hours, so must be damaged up over two days at the least.
From Townsville it is just 4.5 hours to Cairns, 4.5 hours to Mackay, placing it proper in the course of Tropical North Queensland and with plenty of unimaginable sights to see shut by.
Flying to Townsville
In the event you’re planning on flying to Townsville you’re in luck, as a result of it’s residence to a really well-connected airport.
Townsville has on common 7 flights per day coming in from Brisbane, and every day direct flights to Sydney and Melbourne.
There are additionally common direct flights between Gold Coast, Cairns and Darwin to Townsville, in addition to a variety of regional flights to Mackay, Cloncurry, Mt Isa, Rockhampton and extra.
Bonza Air, the most recent ultra-budget airline hitting Australia quickly, might be launching direct flights between Townsville and Sunshine Coast. Watch this house.
Prepare to Townsville
There’s additionally a rail service between Brisbane and Cairns that stops off at Townsville. The Spirit of Queensland does this journey 5 instances every week.
Getting from Townsville to Magnetic Island
When you’ve made it to Townsville you’re prepared for the subsequent a part of your journey on how one can get to Magnetic Island – Leaping on the ferry!
The island has two ferry firms that makes the quick 25-minute crossing from Townsville very day. SeaLink, the passenger ferry, and Magnetic Island Ferries, the automobile ferry.
Each ferry firms have completely different terminals in Townsville, however they arrive on the similar Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal.
READ MORE: Don’t miss our locals’ information to the greatest seashores on Magnetic Island!
Most individuals who journey to Magnetic Island have a tendency to remain for simply at some point, or a few days at most.
For that cause it’s typically extra economical to depart your automobile on the SeaLink ferry terminal in Townsville and are available over as a foot passenger.
However in the event you’re staying for longer, or would relatively use your personal automobile than hire one on the island, then it’s nicely value bringing your personal set of wheels throughout.
Airport Shuttle to the Ferry Terminal
In the event you’re flying into Townsville and don’t have your personal automobile, we extremely advocate reserving the native shuttle bus to get from the airport to the ferry terminal.
You’ll be able to e-book it on-line right here: https://shuttletsv.com.au/
The costs are:
- $10 for one individual
- $15 for a pair
- $5 per individual for teams of three or extra
It’s cheaper than taking a taxi, which can price about $25, and you’ll e-book it in both path (from the airport to the ferry, or from the ferry to the airport once you return).
Merely e-book on-line they usually’ll meet you once you arrive. Cost is money or card on the day.
Passenger Ferry to Magnetic Island
For the foot passengers questioning how one can get to Magnetic Island, you possibly can bounce onboard with both firm.
The primary passenger ferry to Magnetic Island that most individuals take although is SeaLink Queensland, they usually solely takes foot passengers to and from the island.
The rationale most pedestrians take this one is that it’s a lot quicker (taking solely 25 minutes terminal to terminal) and has just a few extra common departures.
Their terminal in Townsville can also be positioned nearer to downtown, making it a bit extra handy to get to.
The SeaLink ferry is a quick, trendy and secure vessel, with clear services and wheelchair accessibility.
The value for the ferry is AUD$39 return for an grownup and $19.50 return for a kid.
It’s also possible to take a bicycle onboard totally free.
- Deal with: Breakwater Terminal, Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville
- Cellphone: 1300 MAGGIE (1300 624 443)
- Occasions: 5:30am by way of to 11pm
Automotive Ferry to Magnetic Island
In the event you’re planning on taking your automobile over to Magnetic Island, then your solely choice is to go together with the corporate Magnetic Island Ferries.
Their massive ferry can transport bikes, automobiles, campervans, caravans, boats and even semi-trailers from Townsville to Magnetic Island and again once more.
In addition they take foot passengers (for a similar worth as SeaLink), the place you stroll on and stroll off earlier than the automobiles enter the boat.
However this feature is simply handy if you’re already in South Townsville, because the journey takes about 40-45 minutes relatively than the 25 minutes with the opposite firm.
This ferry firm just isn’t low-cost, and can cost you by the load and size of your automobile, so be cautious of this.
For instance, a regular automotive is $216 return (going as much as $240 return throughout peak seasons), and in the event you’re taking a protracted automobile equivalent to a campervan or caravan, their return charges are $196 + $52 per metre over 5m.
However they’re the one choice you’ve got if you wish to take your personal set of wheels to the island, so there’s little you are able to do.
In the event you’re planning on simply spending at some point on Magnetic Island, it may be higher worth to park your automotive on the ferry terminal in Townsville and easily hire a automotive on the island for the day.
- Deal with: Ross Road, South Townsville
- Cellphone: +61 7 4796 9300
- Occasions: 5am by way of to 8pm
We hope this text answered all of your questions on how one can get to Magnetic Island, Queensland.
It’s top-of-the-line locations in your entire state, and we sincerely hope you get pleasure from your time there.
Is there a bridge to Magnetic Island?
No, there isn’t a street or bridge to Magnetic Island. Whereas rumours of building have been circulating for quite a few years, Townsville Council have confirmed they won’t construct one because the island is reportedly drifting away from the mainland.
How lengthy is the ferry journey from Townsville to Magnetic Island?
The journey to and from Magnetic Island is 8km, and takes about 20 minutes one-way on the ferry in calm situations.
How a lot is the ferry to Magnetic Island?
The value for the ferry to Magnetic Island is $34 return for a foot passenger, however there are particular offers accessible in the event you pre-book your ferry.
How a lot does it price to take a automotive to Magnetic Island?
The value to take your automotive to Magnetic Island begins at $216 return for the standard size automobile, and goes up from there based mostly on size and peak season availability.