Fact Sheets & Video - Magnetic Island

Feel the magnetic pull...

Just twenty minutes by fast "Cat" from Townsville, this little gem of an island is considered a suburb of Townsville and many of the islands residents commute each day to the mainland.

The island isn't based around a single resort like many islands within range of the Great Barrier Reef; its 2000 residents spread among four small villages running up the east coast, with the western part consisting of national park. Most budget travellers stay in Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay, which mainly cater to the pub-going and jetskiing tourists.

Magnetic Island is well known for its distinctive environment and picturesque landscape which features large granite boulders, hoop pines, high quality beaches and fringing coral reefs around 23 secluded bays.

Magnetic Island averages more than 320 days of sunshine a year which is one of the reasons it's one of Australia's oldest resort islands. Having said that, you can still get away from it all and find you own secluded beach.

One of the best ways to access some of the islands best beaches is by water.

The Providence V is a 62 foot Gaffed-rigged Topsail Schooner, skippered and owned by Grant Lewis and his wife Lindsay.

They offer the Magnetic Island visitor one of the most enchanting ways to see any island - on a tall-ship.

You can go out for a beautiful day of traditional sailing that includes snorkelling, a picnic lunch and morning and afternoon teas. Or you can sail into the sunset, dine on a sizzling steak at West Point and return home in the moonlight.

When you're done sailing into the sunset you can lay your head down at the Arcadia Beach Guest House. Formerly known as Centaur House, it opened as a nurse's holiday hostel in 1947. Nurses from the Townsville region were able to visit Magnetic Island and stay at the hostel for a small price, later this was extended to include any registered nurse.

These days it's a wonderfully quirky Guest House that offers several different accommodation styles. In the beautiful gardens you can stay in your own safari tent, hardly roughing it in a very comfortable queen bed, powered lamps and fans. Or you can opt for a self-contained suite like the Lover's Bay suite which has all the mod cons and balcony with ocean outlook.

The Arcadia beach Guest house will transfer you from the ferry in a Rolls Royce no less!

While you're on the island be sure to check out some the most "leathery" locals and head down to Magnums for the quintessential Queensland experience of Toad Racing.

Vern "The Toad Master" and Al "The Toad Keeper" will help you choose a fine toad to bid on in their version of a Calcutta where you can vie for "ownership" of a toad and then share in that toad's possible winnings. Bidding is fast and furious and bets can reach as high as $50. It's a raucous night with fun had by all part of the proceeds go to the local Surf Life Saving Club.

Further Information:

Magnetic Island, QLD

Providence Sailing

Classic Schooner Sail

$69.50 a person

Includes morning tea, gourmet picnic lunch, afternoon tea and snorkelling gear.

OR

Charter for up to 12 people

3 days 2 nights

$290 a person including all meals and snorkelling gear

First 150 callers for each deal

Providence Sailing

Call 07 4774 5580 or 0427 882 062

Providence V Four day Orpheus/Pelorus sail

Sail for four days to Hinchinbrook, Orpheus and Pelorus. Includes all food, snorkelling gear and stinger suits

Website: www.providencesailing.com.au

Arcadia Beach Guest House has several accommodation options including:

Safari Tents

Self Contained Suite

Shared Bath Suites

Website: www.arcadiabeachguesthouse.com.au