GETTING HERE
Magnetic Island is located 8km offshore from Townsville in tropical north Queensland, Australia, and the island is easily accessible. The island is served by a passenger ferry, a vehicle barge, and various helicopter companies, all departing from Townsville and collectively offering up to 30 daily departures. Renowned for being home to the largest colony of Koalas in North Queensland and its idyllic bays and beaches, Magnetic Island is over two-thirds protected National parks. Visitors and locals can explore the parks with 23km of walking trails in between discovering local cafes, galleries and activities.
Getting to Magnetic Island from Townsville
PASSENGER FERRY
SeaLink North Queensland is the islands connecting passenger ferry, making 17 daily trips in 20 minutes on their high-speed catamarans. Before you travel, tickets are available onboard or online at the ferry terminals (Magnetic Island or Townsville). The Breakwater Terminal in Townsville has a car park for a daily fee. SeaLink is easily accessible by car, taxi, Uber, bus, or Townsville City Shuttle.
VEHICLE BARGE
Magnetic Island Ferries is the island’s only vehicle barge, meaning you can bring your car to the island on their eight departing daily services. The trip on the barge takes roughly 40 minutes, and there is the option to be a walk-on passenger. The Townsville terminal has a secure car park for a daily fee. To get to the Townsville terminal, you will need to drive a taxi or Uber.
HELICOPTER
Townsville Helicopters and Nautilus Aviation offer private and luxurious transfers between Townsville and Magnetic Island in addition to scenic tours. Scenic laps of the island begin with views of the island’s most famous shipwreck, The SS City of Adelaide, before soaring over the island’s secluded bays and stunning headlands.
Getting to Townsville
FLIGHTS
Townsville Airport connects regional Queensland and capital cities between Melbourne and Darwin to the region.
Several domestic airline companies, including Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar, Airnorth, Rex, and Bonza, service the airport.
Once you have arrived, there are plenty of options to get you from the airport to the ferry terminals, including rental cars, taxis, buses and Townsville Shuttle Services.
ROAD
Located over 1300km north of Brisbane and 350km south of Cairns, Townsville is easily connected to South and North Queensland via the Bruce Highway and inland Queensland via The Overlanders Way.
BUS
Greyhound Australia operates extensively throughout Queensland, with Townsville as a stop. For more details, visit greyhound.com.au.
RAIL
Rail links, the Spirit of Queensland and The Inlander connect Brisbane to Cairns and Mount Isa to Townsville. The station is a walkable distance to the ferry terminals, or you can catch a bus or taxi. Visit Queensland Rail Travel for timetables and bookings.
