Island in Queensland, Australia
Magnetic Island
Koala-rich island 25 minutes by ferry from Townsville, with quiet bays, walks and hostels. Good for a few slow days; limited transport, no ride apps and a stinger season at sea from November.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,780–3,820Comfortable, one person · A$4,000–5,500Details
- Value for money32/100Better value than 31% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Feb, 29°CDetails
- Air quality5.6 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2024) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet174 MbpsFixed broadband, Australia medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe on the island.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$63–104Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundSeaLink ferry from TownsvilleWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessTap-to-pay works at ferries, cafés and shops.Details
Where to stay in Magnetic Island
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Nelly Bay | Ferry terminal, shops, cafés and the best transport links |
| Arcadia | Quieter bays, resorts and walks away from the ferry |
| Horseshoe Bay | Beach, hostels and relaxed stays on the north coast |
Apps that work in Magnetic Island
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp, iMessage/SMS
- BOM Weather: Official forecasts and storm, heat, fire warnings
- Emergency+: Calls 000 and reads out your GPS location
- Taxis: No Uber on the island. Use the island bus, a hire moke or e-bike, or a taxi from a rank or booked ahead.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Australia.
- Practically cashless Tap-to-pay works at ferries, cafés and shops. Carry a little cash for small stalls; mobile signal can fail in remote bays.
- Currency: Dollar (AUD). US$1 ≈ A$1.44 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs are everywhere in towns; independent machines in pubs and shops charge about A$3–4. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected; wages are high. Rounding up or about 10% for great restaurant service is appreciated. Weekend and public-holiday surcharges (10–15%) remain legal.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere, including contactless transit fares in Sydney and Brisbane.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Most visitors need an ETA, applied for only in the Australian ETA app (A$20 service charge), or a free eVisitor for EU and UK passports.
- Visitor visas don't allow work for Australian businesses; 18–30-year-olds (up to 35 for some nationalities) can apply for a Working Holiday visa.
- Biosecurity is strict: declare all food, plant and animal products on arrival; bags are X-rayed and false declarations bring fines or visa cancellation.
Emergency numbers
Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000
Plugs
Type I · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from airports, supermarkets and post offices, about A$30–50 for 28 days; passport ID check at activation. Telstra covers the outback best. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Australia
Going to Magnetic Island solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Magnetic Island meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.