Townsville - Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island is just a 25-minute ferry ride from Townsville and features several great beaches, walking trails, and abundant wildlife, plus the remnants of some old military structures from the second world war. We visited twice during our stay here, the first time accompanied by Merrilyn and David, a couple for whom we house sat back in 2008-9 when we looked after their hotel in Jindabyne up in the Snowy Mountains. They now live 2000 kilometers (1200 miles) away in Forster, New South Wales but, unknown to us at the time we called them to catch up, just happened to be caravanning up here in Queensland – just 20 minutes away from us! They stopped by for a visit at our temporary home and then the next day we met them at the ferry dock for a day trip to Magnetic Island, followed by dinner at their caravan park back in Townsville. So nice to have friends in Australia!

We saw 7 or 8 koalas on this hike


The Forts Walk


WWII Gun Mount (photo by Deborah)


Panorama view with WWII lookout on the right





Orange-flanked Rainbow Skink


Blake admiring the view (photo by Deborah)


Horseshoe Bay


A swimming area at Horseshoe Bay is protected by stinger nets - especially important Nov-May. You can also wear a full body suit to provide protection. Vinegar is provided to douse a sting. Tropical marine stingers like the box jellyfish and Irukandji can be extremely painful or even deadly.


Passenger ferry to Magnetic Island.


Us with David and Merrilyn at their caravan park


Horseshoe Lagoon. We went to see the birds but found neither birds nor water. Oh yeah, dry season.


Huge rocks are everywhere part of the landscape on the island (photo by Deborah)


Rock Wallaby



Geoffrey Bay


Geoffrey Bay


Your moment of zen: Deborah's video of a giant insect (size of my hand) climbing up a tree.





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