Daytrip January 2014
Magnetic Island
FERRY PASS
special
Sealink Family Pass Take your family over to Magnetic Island for the day and get return ferry trips, car hire and a drink on the ferry for $130.
The Views
Magnetic
Island Story thanks to Amanda Cranston
Only eight kilometres from Townsville and made up of 70% national park, Magnetic Island is a tropical paradise.
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Tourism and Events Queensland
Tourism and Events Queensland
Tourism and Events Queensland
Beach
Our first stop was to Bungalow Bay Koala Village
Taking in the sights we enjoyed a walk to The
in Horseshoe Bay. We missed out on the popular
Forts which had a lookout over Radical Bay, but
bush breakfast tour as a result of missing the
we didn’t spot any koalas along the walk no
early morning ferry, but we enjoyed a two-hour
matter how hard we looked. And then it was
If you're staying in the Townsville area
hands-on tour with everyone getting to touch
onto Alma Bay to spot a rock wallaby. These
in the January school holidays check
and hold the wildlife. We held a baby saltwater
gorgeous little animals live amongst the rocks
out the Holiday Inn Townsville for
crocodile, a wombat, snake, koala, cockatoo and
and if you stand still long enough and put out
accommodation. They are offering 20%
lizards, taking plenty of photos as our tour guide
some kangaroo food they slowly come down to
off their best flexible rate in the
Tony passed the animals around. It was definitely
eat. We were lucky enough to see a mum with a
holidays. It includes a complimentary
the highlight of our day on the island. Before we
joey in her pouch, getting some great photos as
breakfast and kids stay and eat for free
left we were given a bag of kangaroo food to
the curious joey popped its head out for a look.
with a paying adult. Call 4729 2011 or go
feed the rock wallabies at Alma Bay, so set off to explore.
Before returning the car we took a drive to the other side of the island past Nelly Bay to Picnic
About two kilometres down the road is the town
Bay. With a population of about 2,500 there was a
of Horseshoe Bay and it is abuzz with trendy
school and residential area and it was easy to see
A 25 minute ferry ride over on Sealink will drop you
little cafes lined along the waterfront and lots of
why so many people choose to live on the island.
off at Nelly Bay where you can catch a bus or hire a car
adventure activities available from jet-skiing to
There wasn’t much traffic and everyone seemed
to explore the island and its 23 bays and beaches. We
horse riding. While there, a local suggested we
so laid back and relaxed. In fact, next time we
recently took a day trip to Magnetic Island and chose a
head to the Arcadia Hotel for lunch as the kids
might stay a little longer and make a whole
little pink topless mini-moke as our mode of transport
could have a swim in the pool and we were easily
weekend of it.
for the day and the kids loved it. It was really easy to get
enticed since the weather was so hot. There was
around as the island is only about 10 kilometres long
a Convention on at the Arcadia Hotel for the
with four small towns – Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Arcadia and
weekend so it was incredibly busy but the food
Horseshoe Bay.
was good and the pool was even better.
Hotel Deal
to www.holidayinn.com/townsville for more information.
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