How to get to Magnetic Island by car hire
If you’re looking for a bit of island time while exploring Queensland in your rental car, Magnetic Island can be a terrific choice.
Read on to find out about taking a hire car to the island.
Magnetic Island sits off the North Queensland coast and boasts over 20 stunning beaches. The island has a resident population of approximately 2,500 people and a beautiful collection of holiday resorts to choose from. More than half of the island is designated national park, which serves as a perfect sanctuary for wildlife, including koalas, rock wallabies and a broad range of bird-life. There are also 24 kilometres of walking track through the park with many breathtaking lookouts.
Getting to Magnetic Island with a rental car
Magnetic Island lies just eight kilometres offshore from Townsville, and access is via a car or passenger ferry. While both Sealink and Magnetic Island Ferries run services to Magnetic Island, only Magnetic Island Ferries can carry vehicles, operating multiple services a day from 5am to 5pm on weekdays, and 7am to 5pm on weekends. If you are planning on taking your rental car to Magnetic Island, you need to get to the ferry landing at least 20 minutes before departure time.
Note that not all rental car providers permit travel to Magnetic Island on the ferry, and for those that do, any insurance is null and void while vehicles are on board and are being loaded on or off the ferries. Renters take their hire car on board at their own risk.
Getting around Magnetic Island
From Nelly Bay, you can follow Horseshoe Bay Road to the north side of the island. Parts of West Point Road are unsealed, so you will not be able to take your rental car to the western side of Magnetic Island. Ther are plenty of accommodation options available on the island, as well as hiking and cycling trails allowing you to explore the island in more depth.
Top attractions on Magnetic island
Diving
Magnetic Island is home to some fantastic diving sights, including the SS Yongala shipwreck. It is rated among the best dive sites of its kind in the world.
Magnetic Island National Park
More than half of the island forms Magnetic Island National Park. Visitors can explore the park on foot along one of the walking tracks. The Forts Walk is one of the best introductory walks and offering terrific coastal views.
Horseshoe Bay
If it is water sports you are after, there is no better place on the island than Horseshoe Bay. Visitors can hire equipment such as jet skis, canoes and kayaks.
