Day 1

Take a short 20-minute ferry ride with SeaLink Queensland across to the locally nicknamed “Maggie”, where the adventure is up to you.

Spend the day (or ideally days) exploring the 23 beaches and bays dotted around the island, either by car (if you travelled by Magnetic Island Ferries car barge) or hire topless jeep with Magnetic Island Adventures. If you want to experience some of the most remote and exclusive beaches on the island take a discovery tour with Aquascene Charters or go luxe with a Beach Club Picnic.

Make a splash along one (or both) of the self-guided snorkelling trails at Geoffrey Bay and Nelly Bay and get an up-close-and-personal look at the wonders of the coral reef – right off the beach! Or for the more adventurous, hop aboard your very own sea kayak to paddle the calm waters on an eco-accredited tour with Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks.

If nature and wildlife is also your thing – you’re in luck – because Magnetic Island is also home to Northern Australia’s largest colony of koalas in the wild!

Tip: Wake before the sun and take the gentle stroll along the Forts Walk – it’s the best place to spot a furry companion, and also a pretty sweet sunrise vantage point… can’t beat a 360-degree view! Want a local’s point of view – take the Fort Walk tour with Magnetic Island Best Bus Tours.

End the day sailing the high seas on a luxury yacht with Big Mama Sailing, or Pilgrim Sailing. Both tours offer a sunset sail – so kick-back and relax while you sip a champagne and take in the watercolour skies across the horizon.

Day 2

It's nature’s greatest gift to the world and it’s right on our doorstep! The Great Barrier Reef is a majestic underwater playground, a mosaic of colour and life, and a living treasure.

If you want to see the Great Barrier Reef and get amongst the magic of this underwater spectacular, you can’t go past a dive or snorkel trip to the outer reef. Take a tour with Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive or for the more experienced divers, head out with Yongala Dive to SS Yongala – Australia’s best dive site and one of the world’s top wreck dives!

Whether it’s your first dive or your 50th, a visit to The Museum of Underwater Art’s ‘Coral Greenhouse’ at John Brewer Reef is an absolute must. Townsville’s newest underwater attraction is the first-ever underwater building created by international underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. This diving sensation is hoped to advance reef education, spread the message of reef conversation and offers opportunities for scientists, marine students and tourists to engage - either by snorkel or dive - in action-based learning and to conduct globally important research on coral reef restoration.

Luxe Upgrade

Take your island-hopping adventure to the next level – literally, with a scenic flight over Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef with Townsville Helicopters or Nautilus Aviation. With flights ranging from a 10-minute scenic tour, to a more indulgent remote island picnic – this luxury upgrade is an epic way to see Townsville North Queensland’s island oases.

Day 3

Orpheus Island Resort is a secluded island hideaway accommodating just 28 indulged guests. Access via a 30-minute helicopter journey from Townsville.

Orpheus showcases a plethora of once-in-a-lifetime experiences! Its principal dive sites boast 1,100 of the 1,500 species of fish on the reef; the local waters are a fisherman's playground and home to the most sought after reef fish species in the world; and guests can take the helm of a motorised dingy complete with gourmet picnic hamper and discover the many pristine coves and reefs that fringe Orpheus.

Alternatively, Orpheus provides the perfect backdrop for a more private interlude if guests wish to simply relax and succumb to a unique indigenous-inspired treatment at the Gwandalan Day Spa. 

Tip: We suggest spending at least two nights at the Orpheus Island Resort.

Day 4

Take an 1.5 hour drive from Townsville to Ingham, a proud cane growing township, which is also home to the stunning Wet Tropics, and the southern hemisphere’s largest single-drop waterfall, Wallaman Falls.

Just a short boat ride through the Hinchinbrook Channel, you will discover the Jurassic beauty of Hinchinbrook Island. Hinchinbrook Island is home to the world renowned Thorsborne Trail, described as the ‘holy grail for hikers.’ This 4-day, 3-night trail requires hikers to be completely self-sufficient, and only allows 40 visitors at any one time, so you’re very likely to wonder its wild beaches uninterrupted and leave only your footprints.