LOOKOUTS

Scattered across Magnetic Island are scenic viewpoints offering breathtaking panoramas of the region's Marine Parks and National Parks, including stunning headlands, reefs, and surroundings.While a few may pose a greater challenge to reach, lookouts such as Rocky Bay and Gabul Way are easily accessible to individuals of all skill levels.

ARTHUR BAY LOOKOUT

Without a doubt, the island’s most Instagrammable lookout. This scenic little nook is fenced among the pines and offers an unforgettable view of Arthur Bay. This lookout is not the same as the Arthur lookout along the Forts Walk.

Getting here: The easiest access is to walk down the old Radical Bay Road from the Forts Junction, climbing the first hill to arrive at this popular lookout. However this lookout can also be accessed from the multiple entries into the Radical Bay Road.

THE SPHINX LOOKOUT

The Sphinx lookout is characterised by a wooden platform overlooking Alma Bay, with views across to Geoffrey and Nelly Bays.

Getting here:

On the Nelly Bay to Arcadia hike, this lookout is 200 metres off the track once you’ve veered towards Arcadia. For a shorter hike, you can also access the Sphinx lookout from Endeavour Road in Arcadia, walk through the gate and follow the signage. The hike up from Endeavour Road is about 1.5km return.

ARCADIA LOOKOUT

At the end of the Nelly Bay to Arcadia hike you will end up on Endeavour Road which follows alongside Petersen creek, if you walk around the water reservoir you will arrive at a vantage point called Arcadia Lookout. Like the Sphinx lookout this vantage point can be reached without completing the entire Nelly to Arcadia hike.

Getting here: Catch the bus, ride, or drive to the Forts Junction, there’s a small carpark with amenities. From here the walk into the Fort’s Circuit is clearly signed.

BUTTERFLY FOREST WALK

Across from Bungalow Bay down a very quiet street you will be lucky enough to find the Butterfly Walk near the old school house, there’s a butterfly etched into a tree and parking is available off the street or behind the school house. The walk is relatively unsigned but filled with thousands of Blue Tiger Butterflies (Tirumala Hamata) during the cooler months. 

Getting here: The forest is located on the corner of Heath Street and Dent Street in Horseshoe Bay, either enter Heath Street from Horseshoe Bay Road or follow the suspended bridge

SEARCHLIGHT TOWER TRACK

Between Arthur and Florence Bays this track follows the ridge to the Searchlight Tower which will reward you with views into Arthur bay and across our rocky mountain range.

Getting here: From the Forts Junction begin the walk down the old Radical Bay Road passing Arthur Bay, the track begins over the next hill and is signed on the right side of the track.

SAIL ROCK (TOM THUMB)

One of our favourite little tracks is Tom Thumb in Picnic Bay (also known as Sail Rock), a steep and rather intense walk where you will be rewarded with an unforgettable view towards the shipwreck of the SS City of Adelaide, which lays off Cockle Bay, sweeping views of Townsville, and an uninterrupted sunset at West Point if you do this hike in the late afternoon.

Getting here: Starting at the end of Yule Street in Picnic Bay, walk along the Picnic Bay Water Reservoir Road, pass the gate on the left, and continue walking up the bitumen road to the water tank, turn left and follow the dirt track to Sail Rock.

OLYMPUS LOOKOUT

The Olympus Lookout looks over a large rocky outcrop between Alma Bay and Whitfield Cove.

Getting here: The lookout is located at the end of Olympus Street in Arcadia, just a short walk up from Alma Bay. Please be considerate as it is a residential area.

ROCKY BAY LOOKOUT

Rocky Bay lookout is one of the island’s most accessible vantage points, gifting incredible ocean views, looking down to picturesque Rocky Bay, across to Nelly and Geoffrey bays, and sweeping views of Cleveland Bay.

Getting here: On the road between Nelly Bay and Picnic Bay, a small parking area marks the lookout.

GABUL WAY LOOKOUT

The Gabul Way walk offers several step-out zones perched among Geoffrey Bay’s rocky headland and towering hoop pines. The walk offers a great opportunity to stop and appreciate the views across the bay.

Getting here: The walk runs beside the road on an elevated platform and can be completed as a link from Arcadia to Nelly from the base of Marine Parade.