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Hinchinbrook Island
This is the world's largest national island park and is accessible by ferry from Port Hinchinbrook. There are some of the best bushwalks here, taking in the reef, mountains and tropical terrain. Separated
from the mainland by the narrow Hinchinbrook Channel. Access is with Hinchinbrook
Island Ferries from Cardwell.
Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island is eight kilometres from Townsville. It is one of the largest islands in the Great Barrier Reef and 70% of it is national park. Captain Cook named the island when he sailed past
on 6th June 1770 as his compass would not work well. Magnetic Island has 16 beaches and lots of accommodation from cheap to resort style. There are more than 22km of walking tracks on the island, as well as an aquarium, a koala sanctuary and a pottery. Magnetic Island is divided into four sections Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay.
The passenger ferry
arrives at Picnic Bay
, which is the southern
tip of the island. The
passenger ferry operates
from two points on the
city side of the river.
The terminal is in Flinders
Street . There is a second
pick-up point closer
to the mouth of the river,
on the breakwater along
the road to the Casino.The crossing takes 25mins. There is a bus service on the island that meets the ferry and can take you on a tour or just drop you at one of the locations. There is also a taxi service , moke rentals and scooter hire. You can take your car on the ferry but is often not necessary due to the good transport services provided on the island.
Magnetic Island bus service (07 4778 5130). Rent a Moke (07 4778 5377). Magnetic Island Taxi (13 1008).
Road Runner Scooter Hire (07 4778 5222). Sunferries (07 4771 3855).
Orpheus Island
This island
is mostly national park, but it does have a reef that is great for diving and snorkelling. Orpheus Island is 80km North of Townsville and can be reached by seaplane from Townsville.
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