The pull of Magnetic Island

D. B. N. Murthy visits this tropical paradise in Queensland, which has a huge variety of native wildlife and is home to northern Australia’s largest colony of koalas

Horseshoe Bay is the biggest beach on the island

WHEN I booked my accommodation at Townsville, I was told the Youth Hostel Australia (YHA) was situated at the nearby Magnetic Island off the east coast of Queensland or the "Sunshine State" as it is known as. I wondered what was ‘magnetic’ about the island until I came to know it was the ship’s navigation compass that went haywire, which made Captain Cook, who was sailing nearby in 1770, to name the place as Magnetic Island. However, scientists later proved the island was not magnetic and that Captain was misled in assuming it so.

There is a regular ferry service operated by Sunfferries Company between Townsville and Magnetic Island that takes about 30 minutes to complete the 8-km trip. The short journey is exciting, as the island looms large over the horizon. The ferry is met by local buses that ply to different destinations on this sparsely populated island with a hilly terrain, surrounded by pristine beaches, with interesting names like Horseshoe Bay, Nelly Bay, and Picnic Bay.

The YHA complex is owned by a private family, which has named the place Bungalow Bay Resort. It is near Horseshoe Bay, the biggest beach on the island. The YHA is amidst beautiful surroundings with a number of log cabins spread over the complex. It was a bit scary at night staying alone in a cabin, with fan and light, hearing strange birdcalls at night. The toilets and common kitchen were located outside.

Horseshoe Bay spreads far and wide before one’s eyes. Bathers are warned not to leave the enclosed space marked by ropes in the sea near the beach. Coastguards are on duty keeping an eye on the bathers and swimmers. Water sports enthusiasts have an ‘adrenaline’ run on their ski-jet boats, skimming up and down on the waves, revving up the engine. Others can be content with walking along the clean beach and collecting numerous shells, which is allowed.

The shells are a reminder that Great Barrier Reef is a merely two hours by boat. This explains the large collection of seashells and sea weeds scattered on the beach, brought in by the tide and waves. Sunbathers have plenty of opportunity to soak in the sun as Queensland boasts of the largest number of sunshine days.

Magnetic Island is tropical. One can easily spot banyan, coconut, mango, palm and mangroves apart from the endemic eucalyptus trees. Colourful parrots screech overhead flying in formation.

Over two-thirds of the island is a protected national park. It is teeming with a huge variety of native wildlife, like rock wallabies, possums and over 100 species of birdlife, land as well as aquatic. Magnetic Island is also home to Northern Australia’s largest colony of koalas living in the wild.

A few kangaroos standing up on their legs looking out present a fascinating sight. The moment one nears for a better picture option, they simply hop away!

Magnetic Island is tropical, with rainforest species slowly colonising the woodland species. In the coastal end of the region, a mangrove estuary exists. Many species of marine animals breed in the sheltered coastal habitat. Moreover, it acts as a natural filtration system between the land and the sea, preventing pollutants being washed into the water.

Another ecosystem on the island is the coastal dune system that acts to stabilise the coastline. It might be recalled that cyclone Althea caused extensive damage to the island in December 1971. Horseshoe Bay Wetlands Rehabilitation Project was taken up through re-vegetation, rehabilitation and promotion of bio-diversity. Citizens are urged to switch to solar energy, which is in abundance and to conserve fresh water.

There are remnants of World War II in the fort up the hill where a few radar and gun emplacements could be seen. One is also rewarded with a magnificent view of the bays and the island. Tourism is the mainstay of the islanders with numerous home-stays, resorts, lodges, cafes and restaurants.

The popular Friday market attracts tourists as well as people from different parts of the island. The public transport, which uses natural gas, is excellent on this hilly island. The regular ferry service to the mainland is a boon to the visitors as well as islanders. A special trip is arranged once a day to Great Barrier Reef’s Wheeler Island, where one could enjoy diving, snorkelling and exploring the corals through glass-bottomed boats.

With little distractions of a city, the island is an ideal getaway to bush — walk, swim, bathe, enjoy water sports, or simply sit and laze around on the numerous beaches doing nothing!

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