Public listings checked 25/10/2026. Dates use each event’s local time. Check organiser details before travelling.
Explore the region
Explore Townsville and its mainland suburbs. Magnetic Island requires a ferry; Paluma and Rollingstone are day-trip destinations.
Listings across Balgal Beach, Bushland Beach, Kirwan, Magnetic Island, North Ward, Paluma, Rollingstone, South Townsville, Thuringowa Central, Townsville.
Attractions and places to visit
46 places in this selection. Opening hours, access and admission vary; check the place details.
Located in Townsville on the magnificent Ross River frontage, Riverway offers a dynamic combination of residential, commercial, cultural, sports and leisure activities. The precinct provides an exciting environment to enjoy a variety of water-based and waterfront activities. With two huge swimming lagoons, the Riverway Arts Centre, Pinnacles Gallery, the Riverwalk, public art, village spine, restaurant, and parklands, there truly is so much to explore.
Other quality restaurants, cafes and shops are part of the commercial precinct planned for construction in addition to a national-standard cricket and AFL sports facility.
The area is a year round visitor destination with an annual calendar of events including festivals, Christmas festivities, New Year's Eve, Australia Day Celebrations, as well as food, wine, art and sporting events. The picturesque promenades, glorious Ross River, spacious parklands and state of the art Arts Centre, Gallery and Sports Centre are all venues used to host a range of public events.
A holiday on Magnetic Island is likely to start on Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island's main residential bay. Nelly Bay is the first point of access for the passenger and car ferries and is an easy location to access bus transfers, taxis, hire vehicles or jump on board a guided tour.
Most of the Magnetic Island's shopping and amenities are located in Nelly Bay, and it's also a great place to go for that early morning run or a leisurely walk. It is a fantastic spot to go swimming or snorkelling on the fringing coral reef. Towards the northern end of the beach, you will find a children's playground and a coin-operated barbecue area and, further along, sheltered picnic tables and toilets.
The Ross River hosts a wide range of sporting and leisure activities. Riverwalk, a three metre wide pathway which overlooks the beautiful Ross River, runs along the river and provides numerous opportunities to enjoy its natural beauty.
The Riverway, Loam Island and Pioneer Park developments offer a dynamic combination of residential, commercial, cultural, sports and leisure activities. With two huge swimming lagoons, Riverway Arts Centre, Pinnacles Gallery, the Riverwalk, public art, village spine, restaurant and parklands there are plenty of activities here for everyone. The area is a year round visitor destination with an annual calendar of events including festivals, Christmas festivities, New Year's Eve, Australia Day Celebrations, as well as food, wine, art and sporting events.
The precinct provides an excellent environment to enjoy a variety of water-based and waterfront activities. Skiing, wakeboarding and fishing are all popular activities on the water. Ross River also offers some excellent bird watching opportunities, particularly from Pioneer Park, Loam Island, Apex Park and Dam Park.
Cannon Park is a lifestyle centre including a six screen cinema complex and a fantastic selection of cafes and restaurants. Located diagonally across from Willows Shopping Centre on Hervey Range Road and Riverway, it also houses Townsville's only Kingpin Bowling Lounge and laser skirmish and is nearby to a roller skate rink and indoor sports complex.
Magnetic Island is a popular destination off Townsville for day trips or an extended stay. The island has many sheltered bays that are great to snorkel or dive, as they have a surprising amount of coral and some great marine life. Florence Bay, Arthur Bay, Alma Bay, Nelly Bay and Geoffrey Bay are all popular dive sites with a good variety of hard and soft corals in depths to 10 metres.
The coral gardens in these bays are home to a wide range of reef fish and also a good place to see stingrays, crayfish, moray eels, nudibranchs, wobbegong sharks and the occasional epaulette shark. In Geoffrey Bay divers can also explore the wreck of the Moltke, a 50 metre long three-mast barque scuttled in 1911. The wreck rests in 8 metres, 100 metres off the beach, and is covered in corals and fish.
This bay is a must do on Magnetic Island. Located in Arcadia, Geoffrey Bay has a number of activities suited to all age groups. The resident allied rock wallabies frequent Geoffrey Bay and can be often seen around sunrise and sunset jumping from rock to rock and greeting tourists.
Recommended as one of the best 10 snorkelling spots in Queensland. Magnetic Island has developed two snorkel trails for visitors to enjoy. Before you head to the beach, pick up a self-guided snorkel trail card from one the surrounding retail outlets. The Geoffrey Bay Snorkel trail takes you to the Moltke wreck, and further passed a propeller off a WWII bomber jet. A large variety of beautiful fish and coral life can be seen on the trail.
Geoffrey Bay is a historic staple to Magnetic Island with the original car ferry ramp which is still used to this day. Follow underneath the teetering rock and make your way to the ruins of the old Arcadia Jetty. Don't forget to look over the edge and see if you can spot some of the tropical fish that frequent Geoffrey Bay.
Arcadia is perfectly situated in the smallest of four main bays on Magnetic Island and is surrounded by the prominent Alma Bay and Geoffrey Bay.
Geoffrey Bay and Alma bay are Marine National Park Zone - which means no fishing or collecting - but is great for exploring during low tide. The old barge jetty in Geoffrey bay is a great spot for feeding rock wallabies at dusk, and it is an awesome snorkelling trail.
Alma Bay is a very popular swimming spot for locals and visitors alike. The Arcadian Life Saving Club patrols the beach on weekends and public holidays. Public amenities include a gas barbecue, picnic tables, a shaded children's playground, changing areas and toilets.
Tropics Golf Club is a premier golfing destination in the vibrant city of Townsville, Queensland.
With its lush green fairways, breathtaking views, and impeccable service, we offer an unforgettable golfing experience for players of all skill levels.
The beautifully designed 18-hole championship golf course is set against the backdrop of the stunning tropical landscapes, showcasing the natural beauty of the region. .
The course features strategically placed bunkers, challenging water hazards, and undulating greens, providing an exciting and engaging game for golf enthusiasts. At Tropics Golf Club, the well-appointed clubhouse offers a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Magnetic Island is an angler's dream with a catch virtually guaranteed! Sit back, throw in a line and enjoy the rush of reeling in your latest bite. What a catch it can be; 22-pound Coral Trout and 44-pound Spanish Mackerel are among the trophies happy fishermen have taken home.
If you want to gain some local insight, take a fishing tour. This is also a great option to explore areas only accessible by boat.
Alternatively, head to one of the local stores and grab some fresh bait to try your luck at one of the fishing friendly beaches, rocky points and inshore waters. In these spots you are likely to discover bream, flathead, whiting, queen fish and trevally; not to mention the incredible beach views and rocky settings the environment offers.
If you have a boat some of the best fishing spots around Magnetic Island include Middle Reef, West Point, Orchard Rocks and Palmosa and Argonant wrecks near Horseshoe Bay. Boats are available for hire if required and boat ramps are located in Picnic, Nelly and Horseshoe Bays.
Make sure you check the Marine Park fishing and zoning regulations before hand to avoid a hefty fine for fishing in a protected area, and to help preserve the amazing environment on Magnetic Island.
Arthur Bay is located on the north-east corner of Magnetic Island. With neighbouring bay Florence and just a short walk from the iconic Forts walk; Arthur Bay is the perfect location for lunch or a swim. With fringing reefs out-skirting Arthur Bay, don't forget to pack your snorkel gear.
With less traffic than the main beaches, Arthur Bay is perfect for sun lovers to immerse and relax under the cover of the granite boulders and native hoops pines that surround the bay.
Within a short walk, you can find one of the most iconic photo locations of Magnetic Island. Arthur Bay lookout is a 200 metre walk from the bay and showcases the island's natural untouched landscape.
Koala's, rock wallabies, possums and more visit this bay and you can quite often see whales visiting these waters in the right season.
The beach house at Arthur Bay is the only property in the whole of Arthur Bay. The house is available to book as a holiday home.
Step into the wild side of Maggie at the on-site Koala and Wildlife Park, the perfect mix of island vibes, close-up wildlife moments and meaningful conservation stories. Set among tropical gardens right beside Bounce, the park lets guests connect with Australia's most iconic animals in a fun, personal and ethical way.
Join their rangers for small, personalised tours. It's your behind-the-scenes pass to meet and learn about: Magnetic Island's famous koalas, chill turtles, slithery pythons, chunky wombats, curious lizards, and the crowd favourites — baby crocs. Their rangers will share great yarns, local legends, and conservation tips that make every tour special memorable.
Why will you love it? Engage in hands-on, educational encounters with passionate, knowledgeable rangers.
Enjoy small-group tours with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. All ages welcome (kids under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). Proudly certified as Advanced Eco Tourism and part of the Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australia. They are committed to providing fun, respectful, and conservation-focused wildlife experiences.
Please note: Koala photos are currently paused to prioritise welfare and distancing guidelines.
Horseshoe Bay is the premier location for water sports and tours on Magnetic Island offering activities to excite the whole family. Along the shores of Horseshoe Bay is an array of equipment hire options including jet skis, kayaks, stand up paddle boards and more! The Bay also provides a great swimming enclosure as well as fantastic fishing and sailing opportunities, along with a shady foreshore with magnificent views across the rocky outcrops and blue ocean waters.
After getting out on the water, sit back and relax at one of Horseshoe Bay's restaurants, cafes or bars. The selection of shops and eateries along the Horseshoe Bay beachfront is an ideal location for a meal with an ocean view. Alternatively pack a picnic and make use of the sheltered picnic tables while the kids enjoy the nearby playground facilities.
