Saturday, June 20, 2015

Magnetic Island


As previously posted its possible to park a large MH or car and caravan at the Magnetic Island ferry terminal, being patrolled and somewhat secure.

Nice day for a ferry ride so its off to 'Maggie' for the day, as the locals refer to it.

Magnetic Island's european settlement started around the mid 1800s and today has more than 2000 residents, lots of whom seem to travel to the mainland each day for work. Its an interesting place, scenic, mountainous, with lovely beaches and lots of hoop pine. The Magnetic Island National Park occupies more than half the island and has many walking tracks. Getting around on the roads is best done by bus as the roads are narrow usually without pedestrian facilities.


Havin' a yack to a local bloke who had been "on the wallaby travelling Oz for a bit" before settling on the island and he explained that there has been a down turn in tourism and a slide in property values since the GFC. He said its "a nice place to visit but you wouldn't want to live here".  Its expensive as everything has to come via the ferry.

It was only on the return trip that I became aware that treadlies were permitted on the Sealink ferry. It would be a good place to ride around as road traffic appeared light and generally courteous. Maybe next time? Yep there's more to 'Maggie' than just 4 or 5 hours can reveal.

Townsville back there.

'Maggie' over there.

Walkway between Nelly and Geoffrey Bays.

Townsville from Geoffrey Bay.