Magnetic Island, Townsville
From Mackay we continued northward to Townsville. We did stop along the way at Bowen and took a couple of pics with the big mango. A local news crew accosted us on the way back to the car and asked us some questions about what we thought of the local area from a tourist’s perspective. Having not prepared for the interview and not seen anything of the local area, our responses were somewhat lacking and rather embarrassing ‘cringe!’
Anyway we arrived in Townsville and we did a day trip over to Magnetic Island, also known by the locals as “Maggie”.
We found that as we are RACQ members we were able to get a 10% discount off the ferry to Maggie, bargain! We caught the early ferry across and waited until the car hire place opened. We wanted a Moke to get around the island, but they were really expensive so we hired the Topless instead.
Me in a Topless, Magnetic Island
Picnic Bay Wharf
The island is only 12kms long so we drove From Nelly Bay down to Horseshoe Bay to see if there was any good snorkeling to be had. Unfortunately there was a strong breeze and the lifeguards told us that there probably wouldn’t be any decent snorkeling that day.
Undeterred we drove down to Picnic Bay, changed into our snorkeling gear and attempted to go in. Dammit, the lifeguards were right, we could barely see a metre in front.
So we had a quick stop off at the local museum and the island’s memorial park and drove back to Horseshoe Bay for some lunch.
Lunch at the local pub was lovely and after a quick lie down on the beach we drove back to the ferry and called it a day.
a girl, a 4wd & a trailer 
Love it, spend all my school holidays there as a kid growing up in Townsville!
You’re very fortunate, it’s a stunning area. I actually enjoyed the walk up castle hill more though.
Not far behind you – heading for Mackay now then Townsville tonight.
Fantastic, where are you travelling from and to? I highly recommend Eungella National Park just outside of Mackay if you get a chance. We stayed at the caravan park in Rowes Bay, Townsville. Great location however there is an infestation of sand flies which resulted in a trip to the chemist.
As we were expecting rain we opted for a cabin in the big 4 in Townsville last night. Great sleep and on our way now to port Douglas for a few days. Staying at the pandanus caravan park waiting for friends then leave Sunday for cooktown then the cape over 16 days. What are your plans?
Hopefully Port Douglas is drier than townsville and cairns, it’s raining in Cairns again today 😔. We are then heading to Cape Trib and then up to Cape York for 14days. We have met a few people waiting to join groups of friends for a tour of Cape York, where are you coming from?
We are from traralgon Victoria. Meeting friends on Saturday but wanted to get in early to explore for a couple of days before heading off on Sunday. When are you leaving cairns? We get in early afternoon today 🙂
We did meet another group from Vic that are leaving from cairns this weekend. You don’t happen to know Peter and Katrina do you? We are looking at heading to Port Douglas tomorrow and then start up to the Cape. Maybe we will meet on the road? Just in case, my name is Monica and my husband is John. Safe travels 🙂