YHA Magnetic Island

It’s amazing, the longer we travel up the coast of tropical Queensland, the younger we get. It must be the sea breeze or something. So we have ditched the campervan and left it on the mainland in Townsville and have taken the car on the ferry to Magnetic Island.

We are staying at Magnetic Island YHA. In case you missed that, Youth Hostel Australia. Of course we fit in really well as our well travelled youthful glow and colour rinsed hair blend in seamlessly with the transient backpackers circling the bar like sharks for happy hour. Don’t be deterred, you too can fit in as there are young and old, families and people from all walks of life staying here.

DRIVE: Bowen to Magnetic Island via Townsville (202km).

CAMP: Luxury, an A framed cabin at Bungalow Bay Koala. Village, YHA, Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island / 2 nights.

The Magnetic Island Ferry takes about 40 minutes to cross from Townsville. Blue sky and sunshine all the way with a nice breeze to catch.

Magnetic Island was named by Captain Cook in 1770. As The Endeavour passed by the island, Cook’s compass went haywire so he documented the epiphany by naming the island “Magnetic Island”.

We arrive at Nelly Bay ferry terminal and immediately seek something to eat as we had left early from Bowen this morning.

We find a popular outdoor pirate themed cafe called Scallywags, a perfect pit stop for brunch. Everything with eggs and hot chocolate for Jen and a double shot latte for me. It’s taken me a while to find a decent coffee and this place hits the mark.

Refueled and reenergised, we drive up the road to Picnic Bay and then drive back through Nelly Bay 4.5km all the way to Horseshoe Bay on the northern shore of Magnetic Island. This is the longest drive you can do on the island.

We are a bit early to check in to the YHA so we grab a cold drink from the bar and settle on some giant bean bags...and mingle.

Bungalow Bay Koala Village is set up really well with a range of shared, double and en-suite A frame cabins dotted around a tropical landscape. There’s also a camping area. The air con works a treat so I soon have our cabin ice cold.

Horseshoe Bay is a short stroll from the YHA. Hang on, haven’t we just been to Horseshoe Bay in Bowen...? That’s right, another bay of similar shape but this one on Magnetic Island is an expansive orange sandy bay with a number of yachts moored in its protective cove. The street runs alongside the bay with palm trees and picnic benches on the beach side and a selection of cafes and restaurants on the other which have a real beachy vibe to them.

It’s a cool place with los of activities to do from Jet Skiing to being towed behind a boat at speed on an inflatable. We decide to go for a kayak around the bay. The tide was low and on the eastern side of the bay are partially exposed coral reefs surrounded by seaweed. Jen spots three turtle heads pop up as we paddle around the bay, or it could have been one turtle head three times...

After a happy hour cocktail at the YHA bar, mine was green and tasted like fairy dishwashing liquid, we walk to Horseshoe Bay for dinner.

It’s Thursday night so Parma night at the local pub. Chicken Parmigiana plus a cold beer or glass of wine for $15. It’s a winner. Jen has the Barramundi even though it’s a Thursday... There are other places to eat by the bay but sometimes, you just can’t beat a good old Aussie pub meal.Read more