Magnetic Island’s hikes & walks – Travel Guide. Everything you need to know about the hikes and walks on Queensland’s Magnetic Island.
Magnetic Island is a nature lovers paradise. More than half of this little island paradise is National Park and home to a great diversity of wildlife, hikes and walks. We spent 4 days exploring Magnetic Island by foot, which was by far the best way to get around.
There is a range of varying information online and in brochures regarding Magnetic Island’s hikes & walks. And to be completely honest, it was a little confusing at times working out which source of information was correct. So we thought we’d pop a little blog together to help you out! I’ll let Chris write about the island’s beautiful wildlife (blog coming soon) and in the meantime, here’s our guide on Magnetic Island’s hikes & walks.
The Butterfly Forest Track
| Trail Type: One way Start Point: Dent Street, Horseshoe Bay Finish Point: Heath Street, Horseshoe Bay Distance: 280m Duration: 15mins Difficulty: Easy |
Every year between June and September, the butterfly forest becomes a refuge for thousands of migrating butterflies. They spend their time here resting and conserving energy. The most common species that migrate here are Blue Tiger, Common Crow and Purple Crow butterflies, although we did see a few others. If you visit Magnetic Island between these months, you’ll likely see butterflies in this area. Although it’s an amazing sight to see, it’s important to walk slowly and quietly, allowing minimal disturbance to the butterflies allowing them to rest. If you like butterflies and a gently stroll, then this walk is for you! Keep your eyes peeled for wallabies and other wildlife along the way too!
* This trail can be done in either direction
Hawkings Point Track
| Trail Type: Return Track Start Point: Picnic Bay – End of Picnic Street Finish Point: Picnic Bay – End of Picnic Street Distance: 1250m Duration: 30-40mins Difficulty: Grade 2-3 |
The Hawkings Point Track is a short, steep hike up a rocky dirt path from Picnic Bay, leading to a lookout from a giant boulder. From the top, you’ll get stunning panoramic views over Rocky Bay, Nelly Bay and Geoffrey Bay to the north, Picnic Bay to the south and Townsville on the horizon. This is one of Magnetic Island’s most popular hikes & walks and a pretty impressive viewpoint. It also happens to be a great place to watch the sunset.
Sails Rock/Tom Thumb Track
| Trail Type: Return Track Start Point: Picnic Bay – Corner of Yule & Wansfell St Finish Point: Picnic Bay – Corner of Yule & Wansfell St Distance: 500m (approx) Duration: 40min Difficulty: Grade 2 |
This is one of Magnetic Islands unofficial hikes and walks and more of a local spot. It’s a short steep walk up a paved road towards a water tank. As you reach the water tank, follow the short track to the left, which leads to some large rocks. From here, there’s views over Cockle Bay and even the SS City of Adelaide Shipwreck. In fact, this is probably the best view point to see Magnetic Islands most famous wreck!
Forts Walk
| Trail Type: Return Track Start Point: Forts Junction Carpark Finish Point: Forts Junction Carpark Distance: 4km Duration: 2hrs Difficulty: Grade 3 |
Of all of Magnetic Island’s hikes & walks, the Forts Walk is the most famous and popular track on this island. Not only is it famous for its heritage listed WWII forts, but it’s the best place to see some of Magnetic Island’s wild koalas. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk along the track as you never know when you might see or hear one. The last 800m of the uphill track is a loop up and down rocky stairs. From up here, you’ll get epic views of the whole area especially from the command post and observation tower. There’s information signs dotted along the ways for those history buffs and there’s also some great views over Arthur Bay from the lower end of the track.
Arcadia Track
| Trail Type: One Way Start Point: Horseshoe Bay OR Forts Junction Finish Point: Arcadia Distance: 5.3km from Horseshoes Bay OR 3km from Forts Junction Duration: 2-3hrs Difficulty: Grade 4 |
From Horseshoe Bay, follow the main road for the most part, until you see a dirt track veering to the right side of the road. This short uphill track leads to Forts Junction and a sign pointing to Arcadia and Nelly Bay. It’s worth noting that this first section of the hike is pretty unexciting as it mostly takes you along the road. It’s possible to park at the Forts Carpark and start the hike from there. If you’re busing it, theres a bus stop at Horseshoe Bay or right by the carpark at Forts Junction.
From Forts Junction, the track and rocky steps cuts through bushland, eventually leading to a fork in the track. Take the left to continue onto Arcadia, via the Sphinx Lookout (additional 460m return). The Sphinx Lookout offers stunning views over Alma Bay and Arcadia and made this hike worth the effort! Continuing on past the Sphinx Lookout, the track switches to a steep decent down to Arcadia. Alternatively, you can veer right back at the fork and hike onto Nelly Bay (5km). This section of hike winds its way along a ridge, with a few views over Horseshoe Bay. There are some steep up and downhill section of this hike.
* This trail can be done in either direction
Gabul Way
| Trail Type: One Way Start Point: Arcadia Finish Point: Nelly Bay Distance: 750m Duration: 15-30mins Difficulty: Grade 1 |
This walk links Arcadia to Nelly Bay, via a floating walkway that runs parallel to the main road. It’s a relatively easy walk which offers beautiful views over Geoffrey Bay.
* This trail can be done in either direction
Nelly Bay – Horseshoe Bay Track
| Trail Type: One Way Start Point: Nelly Bay Finish Point: Horseshoe Bay Distance: 6.6km Duration: 2-3hrs Difficulty: Grade 4 |
The Nelly Bay-Horseshoe Bay Track is one of Magnetic Island’s longer hikes & walks. The 6.6km track winds its way uphill through bushland, continuing along a ridge, with a few views over Horseshoe Bay. Eventually the track splits; continue on to Horseshoe Bay or veer to the right and head to Arcadia (via the Sphinx Lookout). We personally found this hike was a lot of sweat and effort for little reward.
* This trail can be done in either direction
Horseshoe Bay – Arcadia – Nelly Bay – Horseshoe Bay
| Trail Type: Return Loop Start Point: Horseshoe Bay Finish Point: Horseshoe Bay Distance: 12-13kms Duration: 4-6hrs Difficulty: Grade 4 |
If you’re up for a big hike which covers many of Magnetic Island’s hikes & walks in one hit, then this might be for you! This loop combines the Arcadia Track, Gabul Way and Nelly Bay-Horseshoe Bay Track (all listed above) and is only recommended for those with a good level of fitness. Be sure to take lots of water and a picnic lunch!
*This loop can also start/finish at Forts Junction, Nelly Bay, Arcadia or Gabul Way.
Forts Junction – Horseshoe Bay Track
| Trail Type: One Way Start Point: Forts Junction Finish Point: Horseshoe Bay Distance: 4.6km Duration: 2hrs Difficulty: Grade 3-4 |
Out of all of Magnetic Island’s hikes & walks, the Forts Junction – Horseshoe Bay Track was our favourite. This hike visits many beautiful bays and a lookout all in one hit. You can do the entire track in either direction, make it a loop by hiking back to the starting point, or just visit individual sections as listed below:
1. Arthur Bay
| Trail Type: One Way Start Point: Forts Junction Finish Point: Arthur Bay Distance: 1km Duration: 20min Difficulty: Grade 2 |
The Arthur Bay Track is one of the most popular Magnetic Island hikes & walks. Starting at the Forts Junction carpark, follow the paved road downhill until you reach a small carpark & trail to the right leading to Arthur Bay. This is a nice place to swim and witness some of the islands reefs.
2. Arthur Bay Lookout
| Trail Type: One Way Start Point: Forts Junction Finish Point: Arthur Bay Lookout Distance: 1.2km Duration: 25min Difficulty: Grade 2-3 |
Continue on just 200m uphill past the Arthur Bay and you’ll reach a small lookout with beautiful views over Arthur Bay.
3. The Searchlight Tower Track
| Trail Type: One Way Start Point: Forts Junction Finish Point: Searchlight Tower Distance: 2km Duration: 40mins Difficulty: Grade 2-3 |
Continue on the paved road past Arthur Bay Lookout and you’ll come to a rocky track leading to an old WWII searchlight tower. Climb to the top for views over Cleveland Bay and the surrounding area.
4. Florence Bay Track
| Trail Type: One Way Start Point: Forts Junction Finish Point: Florence Bay Distance: 2.8km Duration: 50mins Difficulty: Grade 2 |
Florence Bay is another really beautiful bay, nestled in between the Searchlight Tower and Radical Bay. It’s a great spot to have a picnic, grab a snorkel and experience one of Magnetic Island’s fringing reefs. It’s a relatively easy walk and the track is paved the whole way.
5. Radical Bay Track
| Trail Type: One Way Start Point: Forts Junction Finish Point: Radical Bay Distance: 3km Duration: 1hr Difficulty: Grade 2 |
Continue along the paved road from Florence Bay and you will reach a carpark to your left and a sign pointing to Radical Bay. However, if you keep walking straight ahead, you’ll pass another sign saying Marine Conservation Area. A little further on and you will end up right on Radical Bay (this is the end of the paved road!) Radical Bay was probably our favourite bay along the Forts Junction – Horseshoe Bay Track. It’s a nice place to chill, swim and have a picnic.
6. Balding Bay Track
| Trail Type: One Way Start Point: Forts Junction Finish Point: Balding Bay Distance: 4.2km Duration: 1.5hrs Difficulty: Grade 4 |
Balding Bay is the second last beautiful bay on the Forts Junction – Horseshoe Bay Track. From Radical Bay, the grade 3 track becomes a grade 4 track, with steep uphill and downhill sections cutting through dry bushland. There’s a steep 1.1km return trail leading down to the bay and the whole hike requires a good level of fitness. The bay is secluded and often quieter than some of the others due to the effort involved in accessing it!
7. Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay is the last bay and end of the Forts Junction-Horseshoe Bay Track. The beach is long and curved and is a nice place to swim. There’s a few shops, bars and restaurants here where you can grab some lunch or a beer after all of that hiking! If you have a bit more energy, it’s a great place to hire a paddle board or kayak and hit the water. There’s a bus stop here heading back to Forts Junction and Nelly Bay, or you can continue walking back to Forts Junction – details below.
Horseshoe Bay – Forts Junction
| Trail Type: One way Start Point: Horseshoe Bay Finish Point: Forts Junction Distance: 2.3km Duration: 30mins – 1hr Difficulty: Easy |
This isn’t exactly one of Magnetic Island’s hikes & walks, but I thought I’d pop it on here for a reference anyway. We stayed at Bungalow Bay in Horseshoe Bay and walked everywhere during our stay, including this walk (several times). It’s really just a connection from Horseshoe Bay to Forts Junction, which for the most part, runs parallel to the main road.
Useful Information for Magnetic Island’s hikes & walks
- It’s important to consider your health, fitness and experience when choosing your Magnetic Island hikes & walk.
- When hiking, take plenty of water with you and make sure you have enough for the conditions. In the hotter months, you’ll obviously need a lot more, especially on the longer hikes.
- There are water refill points dotted across Magnetic Island, but not in the National Park. Check out Zero Waste Magnetic Island for water refill points.
- Decent footwear is important for completing Magnetic Island’s hikes & walks. Although boots aren’t required, I would recommend them on longer hikes, especially if there’s been a lot of rain. Sturdy shoes with good grip should also be fine otherwise. The animals ion Magnetic Island are wild, let’s keep them this way! Don’t feed them! Feeding wildlife ‘human’ food not only alters their balanced diets and potentially damages their health, but it changes their natural behaviours too.
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