The whole lot you’ll want to know on how you can get to Magnetic Island in Tropical North Queensland – a spot so magical we made it our everlasting residence!
Situated simply 8km from town of Townsville and proper within the coronary heart of the Nice Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland is the beautiful Magnetic Island, probably the most unbelievable locations in all of Australia.
Through the years the island has turn out to be a serious vacationer hotspot due to its pristine seashores, laidback vibes, numerous 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 after 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 eternally. 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 you’ll want to make your method to Townsville in Far North Queensland so you may soar on the ferry, as there isn’t any airport on the island itself.
Townsville is effectively linked by way of highway, rail and air, so getting right here gained’t be a problem.
There’s additionally a whole lot of epic issues to do in Townsville, so be sure to have a couple of days spare on both facet of your Maggie journey!
Driving to Townsville
Townsville is situated 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 a minimum of.
From Townsville it is just 4.5 hours to Cairns, 4.5 hours to Mackay, placing it proper in the midst of Tropical North Queensland and with numerous unbelievable sights to see shut by.

Flying to Townsville
When 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 day by 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 latest ultra-budget airline hitting Australia quickly, might be launching direct flights between Townsville and Sunshine Coast. Watch this house.
Practice to Townsville
There’s additionally a rail service between Brisbane and Cairns that stops off at Townsville. The Spirt of Queensland does this journey 5 instances per 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 you can get to Magnetic Island – Leaping on the ferry!
The island has two ferry corporations that makes the quick 25-minute crossing from Townsville very day. SeaLink, the passenger ferry, and Magnetic Island Ferries, the automobile ferry.
Each ferry corporations have totally different terminals in Townsville, however they arrive on the similar Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal.
READ MORE: Don’t miss our locals’ information to one of the best seashores on Magnetic Island!
Most individuals who journey to Magnetic Island have a tendency to remain for simply in the future, or a few days at most.
For that motive it’s usually extra economical to depart your automobile on the SeaLink ferry terminal in Townsville and are available over as a foot passenger.
However in case you’re staying for longer, or would relatively use your individual automobile than hire one on the island, then it’s effectively price bringing your individual set of wheels throughout.
Airport Shuttle to the Ferry Terminal
When you’re flying into Townsville and don’t have your individual automobile, we extremely advocate reserving the native shuttle bus to get from the airport to the ferry terminal.
You may e book it on-line right here: https://shuttletsv.com.au/
The costs are:
- $10 for one particular person
- $15 for a pair
- $5 per particular person for teams of three or extra
It’s cheaper than taking a taxi, which is able to value about $25, and you may e book it in both course (from the airport to the ferry, or from the ferry to the airport once you return).
Merely e book on-line and so they’ll meet you once you arrive. Fee is money or card on the day.

Passenger Ferry to Magnetic Island
For the foot passengers questioning how you can get to Magnetic Island, you may soar onboard with both firm.
The principle passenger ferry to Magnetic Island that most individuals take although is SeaLink Queensland, and so they 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 a couple of extra common departures.
Their terminal in Townsville can also be situated nearer to downtown, making it a bit extra handy to get to.
The SeaLink ferry is a quick, trendy and protected vessel, with clear services and wheelchair accessibility.
The worth for the ferry is AUD$39 return for an grownup and $19.50 return for a kid.
You too can take a bicycle onboard at no cost.
- Deal with: Breakwater Terminal, Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville
- Cellphone: 1300 MAGGIE (1300 624 443)
- Occasions: 5:30am by to 11pm

Automobile Ferry to Magnetic Island
When 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 giant ferry can transport bikes, automobiles, campervans, caravans, boats and even semi-trailers from Townsville to Magnetic Island and again once more.
Additionally 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 just 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 will not be low cost, and can cost you by the load and size of your automobile, so be cautious of this.
For instance, an ordinary automobile is $216 return (going as much as $240 return throughout peak seasons), and in case you’re taking an extended automobile reminiscent of a campervan or caravan, their return charges are $196 + $52 per metre over 5m.
However they’re the one choice you have got if you wish to take your individual set of wheels to the island, so there’s little you are able to do.
When you’re planning on simply spending in the future on Magnetic Island, it may be higher worth to park your automobile on the ferry terminal in Townsville and easily hire a automobile on the island for the day.
- Deal with: Ross Avenue, South Townsville
- Cellphone: +61 7 4796 9300
- Occasions: 5am by to 8pm

We hope this text answered all of your questions on how you can get to Magnetic Island, Queensland.
It’s top-of-the-line locations in your complete state, and we sincerely hope you get pleasure from your time there.
Is there a bridge to Magnetic Island?
No, there isn’t any highway or bridge to Magnetic Island. Whereas rumours of development have been circulating for various 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 experience 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 worth for the ferry to Magnetic Island is $34 return for a foot passenger, however there are particular offers obtainable in case you pre-book your ferry.
How a lot does it value to take a automobile to Magnetic Island?
The worth to take your automobile to Magnetic Island begins at $216 return for the standard size automobile, and goes up from there primarily based on size and peak season availability.