Everything you need to know about traveling to Magnetic Island, from public transportation to car rentals and epic boat tours.
Once you've figured out how to get here and seen all the amazing things to do, the last thing you need to do is explore Magnetic Island!
The island covers an area of 52 km², but 75% of the island is designated as a national park, making it virtually inaccessible except for a few hiking trails.
This means you usually only have to navigate how to get between the main villages of Nelly Bay, Picnic Bar, Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay.
Luckily, there are several different ways to explore Magnetic Island, all of which we will highlight in this article.
Read more: Here's our full guide on how to get to Magnetic Island, with all the latest options and prices.
Exploring Magnetic Island – a comprehensive ‘how to’ guide
There are several different transportation options to get to Magnetic Island, depending on your budget and length of stay.
Now let's take a look at it.
Public buses in Magnetic Island
There is a local public bus that runs from Picnic Bay to Horseshoe Bay and back throughout the day.
There are two options and price ranges for the bus (cash only!):
- one way ticket Cost is $2.80 per person.
- day trip ticket The fare is $7.60 per person and you can hop on and off as many times as you want throughout the day with unlimited rides.
It runs from one end of the island to the other every hour of the day from 6am to 10pm.
The only downside to running hourly is that if you miss the bus you have to wait or walk. So, plan your trip so that you can make the most of your day.
This is a great way to see the island on a budget, and pretty much the only alternative if you don't want to rent a car or bring one from the mainland.
READ MORE: Check out our latest guide to the best beaches on Magnetic Island!
Buses stop at all major bays including in front of the ferry terminal, Geoffrey Bay and the Forts Walk area.
Very convenient to move and explore Magnetic Island from one side to the other.
Click here for Sunbus Magnetic Island timetable information.
Magnetic Island Car Rentals
There are several companies on the island where you can rent a car.
From automatic and manual SUVs to topless Jeep Wranglers, prices range from $80 AUD per day for a standard five-seat SUV.
If you want a classic Instagram photo, consider renting a topless Jeep (or 'Barbie Car), which costs about the same.
Some companies offer half-day rentals, full-day rentals, or 24-hour rentals. Some offer discounts for longer stays of 3 days or more.
With so many options, it can be difficult to know where to stay on Magnetic Island. That's why we've put together a local expert guide to the best accommodation in Maggie!
For almost all rental cars on the island, vehicles are only allowed to drive on paved roads between Horseshoe Bay and Picnic Bay.
Affected vehicles will not be permitted to travel beyond the Forts car park to Arthur Bay, Florence Bay and Radical Bay or onto the road to West Point.
There are several car rental companies on Magnetic Island.
- MI Rentals Car Rental
- Magnetic Island Topless Car Rental
- Isle Car Rental/Rental
- Tropical Palms 4WD
- Magnetic 4×4 Rental
- Tropical Topless Car Rental
- Tropical Palms Resort and 4WD Rentals (Picnic Bay)
- Arcadia Beach Guesthouses and Car Rentals (Arcadia)
All car rental companies are located in Nelly Bay unless otherwise noted and are easy to find once you disembark at the ferry terminal.
The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rent a Car as we have the widest range of vehicles offering the best value on the market.
Electric Motorcycle Hire in Magnetic Island – The best (and most sustainable) way to get around Magnetic Island.
There's a new company on the island that's revolutionizing the way we get around with zero-emission, road-registered electric motorcycles.
Yes, electric motorcycle. Don't joke. This is now the best way to get around Magnetic Island if you don't bring your own car.
Magnetic Island Roaming is run by two legendary locals, Tim and Pam, who purchased 14 UBCO e-bikes, which are now available for day rentals and West Point sunset tours.
This bike has a top speed of 50 km/h and a range of 120 km. This means you can literally cruise around the entire island all day without having to recharge or refuel.
Best of all, the top speed is limited to 50 km/h, so you only need a car license to drive, not a motorcycle license!
They are very easy to ride, no gears, very comfortable and can handle Maggie's hills and dirt trails like an absolute weapon.
We've taken them out a few times and they're really fun. Additionally, having a vehicle that is completely environmentally friendly (Tim and Pam also charge their batteries with solar power) is a great addition for Maggie and something that all of our local residents are getting behind.
Cost is $55 per day and can be purchased at Island Living, across the street from Scallywags Cafe.
Or, you can book a West Point tour to watch the sunset with your team. This is the only way to get to this part of the island without owning a car or walking (car and scooter rentals are prohibited on the island). (Road to West Point)
When you make your reservation, let people know that NOMADasaurus sent you!
Scooter Rentals in Magnetic Island
One of the things I loved most about Magnetic Island was that the entire space had the feel of a southern Thai island like Koh Tao or Koh Phangan.
And one of the things that helps give that vibe is that a lot of people get around on scooters.
You can rent a scooter on Magnetic Island through Road Runner Scooter Hire for just $40 per day.
The company offers single and dual seat scooters, trail bikes, and road bikes. When we went to the island we saw many people renting scooters and this is definitely the perfect place to rent a scooter.
Read more: Here's how to make the most of just one day on Magnetic Island!
When renting, check with the owner about where you can and cannot go as there are restrictions on the rental.
If you want to head to West Point or Radical Bay to catch the sunset, renting a trail bike is a good idea if you have the right license.
When renting a scooter, remember to take safety seriously. It's all fun and games until someone falls and tears their skin or breaks a bone.
Please be responsible and wear appropriate clothing when riding around the island. Don't walk around in bikinis or board shorts. I think it would hurt if I fell.
Road Runner Scooter Hire is located in Nelly Bay, walking distance from the ferry terminal.
purple beam scooter
Those mini electric scooters made their way to Magnetic Island and if you're looking to get from point A to point B, they're a very quick and convenient way to get around, even if it's a bit pricey.
Beam scooters can be found at Nelly Bay ferry terminal, outside Base Backpackers and next to Alma Bay.
Cost is $1 for the first rental or 75 cents per minute when activated via wireless payments.
They are geo-locked to only work from Base Backpackers to Alma Bay, so you cannot take them up Picnic Bay or Horseshoe Bay Road hills.
please. Don't throw it away anywhere after you're done.
This has become a real negative for local residents as drunk backpackers will literally drop you all over the path or road if they run out of battery or crash.
If people continue to litter, they will be kicked off the island. So please be kind. Then everyone can enjoy it.
Bicycles in Magnetic Island
Bring your bike on the ferry (free) or rent a bike on Magnetic Island.
The island's main road is well maintained and sealed between bays. There are some great walking/biking trails along the water and off-road as well.
Having a bike on the island makes traveling from bay to bay easier and faster.
Read more: Check out our comprehensive 'Traveling in Australia' guide to answer all your questions.
Magnetic Island Walk
If you're wondering how to get around Magnetic Island on foot, I have good news and bad news.
Yes, you can explore the island on foot. But unfortunately you can't see too much of it.
The bays are quite far apart and it takes time to walk between the two.
The advantage is that you can get to some really cool places!
If you like hiking, walking is the only way to reach the famous lookout, and if you want to head from Nelly Bay to Horseshoe Bay, you can follow a great trail that crosses the island.
There are over 26km of trails to explore around the island, so be sure to pack your hiking boots.
When exploring the bay, we think walking is the best way to enjoy it. You can take your time to explore everything and discover things you would never see if you took the bus or car. This is especially true of the small koalas that dot the island.
Taxi services in Magnetic Island
There is a taxi company on the island called Checker Cabs, who can take you and your luggage to your accommodation when you first arrive.
You can sometimes find a taxi waiting on the bay, or you can call ahead and arrange a pick-up from the ferry terminal.
This is a great way to enjoy a delicious dinner or drive home after having too many drinks during the sunset.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that taxis operate on island time (i.e. they are not on time or run regularly) and their numbers are limited. If you must rely on it, take your time.
READ MORE: Check out our guide to what to do while in the Townsville area!
Magnetic Island Day Tour
Magnetic Island offers two-day tours that allow you to check out some of the main attractions on land and sea.
You can see some of the island's highlights and learn about its history by taking a bus tour with a local guide, or you can sail on the water in a speedboat or sailboat to take you to lesser-known locations. It is not accessible by land.
The boat tour here is our favorite and highly recommended.
drive your own car
If you plan to stay on the island for a few days and have your own car and friends or family to share the cost, the best way to get around Magnetic Island is to take your vehicle on the ferry.
It's very expensive, starting at $220 round trip for a full-size car, so it's not worth it for just a day or two. If you want to explore the island instead, rent a car on the island.
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