Magnetic Island travel guide

Magnetic Island, just offshore from the city of Townsville, Queensland, Australia in Cleveland Bay is a 52 km² mountainous island which has effectively become a suburb of Townsville having 2,107 permanent residents. It is accessible from Townsville to Nelly Bay by ferry operated by Sunferries. There is a large 27 km² national park and bird sanctuary and excellent walking tracks can be taken between the populated bays and to a number of tourist destinations such as the World War II Forts.
The island has long become established as a holiday destination with many hotels and several resorts in operation to cater for all levels of service.
The Island is a haven for wildlife and is 54% National Park which is mostly located on the steep hilly interior and rugged north western side.
One of the most distinctive features of Magnetic Island is the native Bush Stone-curlews - a bird with a piercing cry which has awakened many a visitor in the night when they are most active.
Koalas are relatively common on the Island and can easily be found on the famous Forts Walk.
The pressure of coastal development has, in recent years, begun to make a significant impact on this Island that lies in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. At present many millons of dollars in development are planned for the Island and the impact of these has led to considerable opposition from some residents who fear the effects this development will have on the environmental values of Magnetic's lowlands which are not protected by the national park, these areas represent only 20 percent of the whole Island, and of this 20 percent, most is freehold land and is already developed. (...) more....