Magnetic Island's BEST Bus TOURS in Townsville, Queensland | Travel and transport

Magnetic Island's BEST Bus TOURS

Locality: Townsville, Queensland

Phone: +61 435 580 292

Address: Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal, Magnetic Island 4819 Townsville, QLD, Australia

Website: http://www.magneticislandtours.net.au/

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31.01.2022 Queensland Parks and Wildlife together with our awesome volunteers at MINT working together to give our Turtles a fighting chance.

25.01.2022 We recently had a fabulous day with the very informative Neil, from Magnetic Island's BEST Bus TOURS. Our group may have even given him a bit of local knowledge. Thanks Neil!

25.01.2022 It's not every day that you get AFLW premiers cheering and providing advice to your junior AFL team. Maggie Island Magpies got a visit from Brisbane Lions AFLW members today. Bree Koenen of the Lions is an ex Maggie Island alumni.

23.01.2022 The Sydney to Gong Ride is something I used to do every year. I haven't been able to do it since moving to QLD. This year, COVID has given me the chance to do it again, virtually. I have decided to really challenge myself by riding 1005km in October, the equivalent of Brisbane to Wollongong. No mean feat considering I haven't ridden a bike in 4 years. But that challenge is nothing compared to the daily challenge of living with MS. I start my challenge on 1 October. You will... be able to see my progress here on my page and support me along the way! Why am I fundraising? It’s quite staggering to think that multiple sclerosis affects more young people than any other chronic neurological condition. It can strike anyone at any time and the symptoms vary so widely. For instance, can you imagine waking up one day unable to do the everyday things you would usually take for granted? Like not being able to see properly (or at all), you physically can’t get out of bed, can’t walk to the phone to call someone anyone or live a life without pain? All of a sudden, your world has changed. Thanks to your generous support, the funds we raise will allow people living with multiple sclerosis to access vital MS support services. Support to keep Aussies living with multiple sclerosis connected to others and connected to the information and services they need to live their best life. Thank you again for your support!

22.01.2022 We will not be touring Thursday 6th August as we will be volunteering to assist QPWS. Please note the track closures and potential delays along Horseshoe Bay Road in the middle of the day.

20.01.2022 Exciting news! Izzy and her family look after our injured Koalas.

20.01.2022 Variants of these guns were stationed on Magnetic Island Battery, protecting the Port of Townsville during WW2. The US M1918 155 mm GPF was a copy of the French 1917 field gun and used by the US Army, Philippines and US Marines up to 1945. The United States Army paid for and subsequently copied, the Model 1918 (M1918) gun. ... During the Second World War the 155 mm guns were taken out of storage and used for coast defense on American shores and in Allied territories such as the Philippines and Australia. They were also used in the Philippines, Guadalcanal and North Africa until more modern artillery was available (1:45 & 2:30 for the actual firing including slow motion)

20.01.2022 There's important reef and coral research being conducted around the island at the moment. Please Don't Touch!

18.01.2022 Taking time to observe subtle changes in our landscape, can tell you more than you might think. Throughout the tropics you might see a tree with yellow flowers. This tree is a signifier of seasonal changes, food availability and is also a food source. The yellow flowers also indicate another food source has become available. Dry season is when Freshwater crocodiles and many turtles lay their eggs in river banks in the North of Australia. [ 75 more words ] https://www.magneticislandtours.net.au/australian-native-k/

18.01.2022 It's been very windy on the island recently and this poor little girl at the Forts (I call her a he in the video) was bravely hanging on trying to get a mouthful of food. I love the tenacity! But it's ok, she came through at the end and sorted herself out.

17.01.2022 We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded a 2020 travelers choice award by Tripadvisor. Thank you to all our guests who have left a review and supported us through a particularly trying year. And a huge thankyou to the Queenslanders who have been out travelling and supporting small businesses. You really are making a difference. Traveller's choice awards are based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews and are given to those who consistently receive great feedback, placing us in the top 10% of hospitality businesses around the globe!

17.01.2022 The neighbour was out when I got home. Wasn't very chatty. Looked a bit sleepy...

17.01.2022 Teaching Island style Miss Beryl Margaret Johnson was head teacher at the Picnic Bay School from April 1929 until September 1936. The late Annie Bowerman cla...imed that Miss Johnson was ‘lovely, very kind, much too kind to be a good teacher’ and another pupil, John (Jack) Tulley, remembered ‘we did nature study at low tide down at the beach with Miss Johnson’ where we would ‘pick up beche-de-mer and throw them at each other’. Another pupil also recalled Miss Johnson as ‘an avid collectorvery interested in shells and once a month the children would have a science lesson at low tide’. Photo: - Beryl Johnson photographed pupils, families and friends at Rocky Bay c1929 Back L>R: Mrs McQueen, Josie Cox, Bob McQueen, Harold Horn, Charlie Olsen, Mrs Anderson, George Cox, Joan Dickensen, Mrs Dickensen Seated L>R: Dulcie Olsen, Peggy Anderson, Ron Tulley, Gladys Dickensen, Charlie Dickensen Front L>R: Mr Bob McQueen, Annie Olsen, Mr Fred Walker, Miss Gwen Eyre Photograph: gift of C Olsen

17.01.2022 Customers please be aware that parts of Horseshoe Bay Beach will be closed for the next month whilst erosion control works are conducted. Patrolled Swimming is still available further along the beach.

17.01.2022 We love our island & we love showing it off to visitors.. A huge thanks to all those Queenslanders who have been visiting and supporting our local businesses over the past few weeks.

17.01.2022 Banana boats at Horseshoe Bay During the late 1970s and early 1980s there were several ‘Banana boats’ of various styles built by local Magnetic Islanders at Hor...seshoe Bay, for fishing purposes both commercial and recreational. These boats were built from a set of plans sourced from ‘Wooden Boat’ magazine modified replicas of the St Pierre and Miquelon Islands fishing dories used as tenders to larger mother ships in those fisheries. The Horseshoe Bay ‘Banana boats’ three wooden and four fibreglass at that time were self-sufficient vessels complete with their own freezers and capable of remaining at sea for as long as fuel and fresh water lasted or until the freezer was filled. These boats included the timber ‘Troppo’ (Ken and Sue Mills) and ‘Dingo’ (Peter Matthew and Cherie Daniell) and the airex and fibreglass ‘Loco’ (John Staib). Photo: - ‘Dingo’ under construction, Horseshoe Bay Gift of C Mara

16.01.2022 Establishment of lifesaving clubs on Magnetic Island The North Townsville Life Saving club existed in 1915. By 1927 the focus of its activities had moved to Pic...nic Bay and the club at Picnic Bay was officially opened 21 April 1928. The Arcadian Lifesaving Club was formed in July 1928 with a membership of eight, headed by Hume Willmett and Ken Gray. Easter Monday 1929 the club held its first carnival attended by two teams from Ayr and one from Picnic Bay. Photo: - Resuscitation demonstration by members of the Royal Life Saving Society Queensland, Alma Bay 1928 Gift of Joan (Betts) Smith

16.01.2022 Please note that you will not be allowed on the tour or to board the bus if you have been in a declared COVID Hotspot in the last 14 days. This is for the safety of our guests and the local community and in line with Queensland Health guidelines. If you are a resident or travelling from one of these areas you will be asked to provide proof of travel and entry dates into Queensland. From 12.00 pm on Friday 3 July 2020 all 79 Local Government Areas (LGAs) within the State of V...ictoria are considered a COVID-19 hotspot. From 12.00pm on Tuesday 14 July 2020 this includes Campbelltown City and Liverpool City in New South Wales. A full list of declared areas can be found on the Queensland Health Website: https://www.qld.gov.au//c/current-status/hotspots-covid-19

13.01.2022 Who doesn't need some cuteness in their lives? This adorable mum and Joey arrived to check out our guests on tour today. They always bring a smile to people's faces. You will only find them running wild around the Townsville region, from Townsville to the Burdekin River, the Bowen River, Croydon and Hughenden, and also Magnetic and Palm Islands Where better to see these unique creatures than on Magnetic Island? ... #magneticislandtours #goodtogo #thisismagneticisland #magneticisland #townsville #townsvilleshines #thisisqueensland #queensland #seeaustralia #australia #visitqueensland #outdoors #discoverqueensland #thisishome #townsvillenorthqueensland #northqueensland #exploremagneticisland #greatbarrierreef #qldparks #australianwildlife #wallaby #alliedrockwallaby

10.01.2022 VP Day Victory in the Pacific Day - end of World War II 15 August 2020 15 August 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific and the end of Wo...rld War ll. Magnetic Island was an important defensive position, information being communicated from the Magnetic Battery (now known as The Forts) built there in 1942-43. In 1940 two radio telephone transmitters and receivers had been installed near the Arcadia Post Office, for transmitting telegrams between Magnetic Island and Townsville. In early 1942 State Military authorities requested use of this wireless link for communication between the Combined District Headquarters in Townsville and a Military Observation Post being established on the Island. Later that year American servicemen laid a submarine cable from Kissing Point to Picnic Bay, under the direction of Post Master General (PMG) staff. This cable provided communications for the wartime defence network. The American-laid submarine cable was purchased by the PMG in 1947 and served well until development required another cable in 1960. In May 1969 the latter cable failed irreparably, a relief cable was ordered then successfully laid directly to Nelly Bay on 26 November 1969. Photo: - Radio telephone transmitter and receiver, Arcadia c1942 National Archives of Australia

10.01.2022 My favourite time of the year

10.01.2022 It was a privilege to encounter this sleeping beauty lowdown on our nature walk today. Keeping a respectful distance allows us to educate guests whilst ensuring minimal disturbances.

09.01.2022 See you next week . We have been chartered for some work on the mainland and have no availability availability until Monday 2nd November.

09.01.2022 What a wonderful thankyou gift from from recent guests. A pen handmade from Gidgee wood. It's beautiful! Thankyou so much Chris & Pam.

08.01.2022 Funding for the final stage of MOUA right on Magnetic Island has been announced. The location hasn't been announced yet but we can't wait.

08.01.2022 Australia’s story is a long story. NAIDOC Week 2020 acknowledges and celebrates that our nation’s story didn’t begin with documented European contact whether in 1770 or 1606 - with the arrival of the Dutch on the western coast of the Cape York Peninsula. It recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Our coastal Nations watched and interacted with at least 36 contacts made by Europeans prior to 1770. Many of them resu...lting in the charting of the northern, western and southern coastlines of our lands and our waters. For the Townsville region, that story starts at least 10,000 years ago, and very possibly much longer. When Europeans first arrived in Townsville, they assumed that no one occupied or owned the land because there were no boundaries marked by fences and farms. But the traditional custodians of Yunbenun (Magnetic Island), the Wulgurukaba, and their neighbours, the Bindal, had already been living here for hundreds of generations. Archaeological sites around Townsville have been dated to be over 10,000 years. Australia has some of the world’s oldest oral stories and aspects of this oral culture have ensured effective transgenerational communication of the knowledge contained within. The Wulgurukaba and Bindal would have witnessed the formation of Yunbenun at the end of the last ice age, approximately 7000 years ago. The formation of Yunbenun and other islands in this region are told in the story of the carpet snake, an important symbol for the Wulgurukaba. Always Was, Always Will Be

08.01.2022 Spent a few minutes watching Rainbow Bee Eaters drinking from Gustav Creek the other evening. These beautiful birds with their distinctive tail streamers perch on fence-posts or overhead wires looking for flying insects. It swoops down sometimes with rapid twists and turns, before snapping the insect in its bill, and returning to the perch to eat it. They nest in tunnels in sandy banks which they excavate with their beaks. The tunnels are just wide enough for their bodies which act like plungers pushing fresh air in and stale air out of the nest.

07.01.2022 I've been discussing this project with some of our guests on tours recently. It's only a short boat ride away from Townsville. I can't wait to get some time to head out and experience it myself.

05.01.2022 Island wreck myth - Coquette The Marine Board of Queensland reported on the burning of the blackbirding vessel Coquette in Townsville Harbour on the night of 5 ...December 1903: ‘When it was found that the fire could not be overcome, the master ordered the vessel to be scuttled, but having only about two (2) feet of water under her, she could not settle down far, and was burnt to within one (1) foot from the copper, and became a total wreck.’ Years later during the widening of the outer swing basin Townsville Harbour Board reported ‘a good deal of time was lost to the dredge by having to stop every few minutes to pick out material from the wreck of the Coquette’. (Townsville Daily Bulletin, 15 January 1915) Coquette’s salvaged figurehead, owned by E R Hayles, was at some time placed above the entrance to the dining room at Arcadia. It was sold at auction after the death of ‘Bob’ Hayles as part of his estate and is now in a private collection in Townsville. There is a folktale that Coquette is an Island wreck lying beneath the Bowls Club along Geoffrey Bay. This was no doubt created by her figurehead having spent several years on display at both the guesthouse and hotel.

03.01.2022 Ever wondered what the guns at the Forts looked like when firing? These two photos are of the two M1918 GPF guns in action

02.01.2022 Another day another beautiful sunset.

02.01.2022 NELLY-ARCADIA WALKING TRACK CLOSURES The Nelly-Arcadia walking track is currently being reconstructed by contractors engaged by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Helicopter lifting operations will be undertaken on Saturday 1st May 2021. To ensure public safety, between 0600 and 1200 on this date the track will be CLOSED from the Arcadia and Junction Track (Curlew Flats) entrance and first rock lookout from the Nelly Bay side (see attached map). From the 1st of May ...2021 a section of the Nelly-Arcadia track will be CLOSED from the second rock lookout to the Junction track intersection for reconstruction works. This will mean NO through-access along this track from Nelly Bay to Arcadia during this time. The closure is expected to be in place for up to 2-3 weeks (see attached map). FORTS JUNCTION HUB CONSTRUCTION Reconstruction of the main road within the Forts Junction site is underway. For public safety, the Forts Walk and Radical Bay Road entrance will be fully closed to all pedestrian and vehicles until further notice. Construction is on track to be completed in May 2021. The Forts Walk will be FULLY CLOSED until further notice. Access to the Radical Bay Road is CLOSED to all but essential traffic until further notice this includes pedestrian access. TRAFFIC DISRUPTIONS will occur, and motorists should allow for delays when traveling between Horseshoe Bay and Arcadia. Traffic lights will be in use. There is NO PARKING for vehicles or scooters at the Forts Junction area, until further notice. There is no space for DROP OFF OR PICK UP at the Forts Junction, until further notice. The BUS STOPS at the Forts Junction are CLOSED. The bus drivers will provide information about alternative bus stops. Walkers can access Radical Bay Road via alternative route using Horseshoe Bay Radical Bay Walking track.

02.01.2022 Can you spot this well known local icon enjoying our butterfly forest? #magneticislandtours #thisismagneticisland #magneticisland #townsville #townsvilleshines #thisisqueensland #queensland #seeaustralia #australia #visitqueensland #outdoors #discoverqueensland #thisishome #townsvillenorthqueensland #northqueensland #exploremagneticisland #island #islandlife #greatbarrierreef #qldparks #butterflies #australianwildlife #bluetiger #koala

01.01.2022 Exploring the Picnic Bay Jetty on today's Maggie Comprehensive Tour. Blue skies, wide open spaces and fresh air #magneticislandtours #thisismagneticisland #magneticisland #townsville #townsvilleshines #thisisqueensland #queensland #seeaustralia #australia #visitqueensland #outdoors #discoverqueensland #thisishome #townsvillenorthqueensland #northqueensland #exploremagneticisland #bustour #grouptour #smallgroups #australianhistory

28.12.2021 A busy time for our team as the hatchlings continue to appear. The mini heat wave we’re experiencing though could create problems for the remaining nests Look a...t the great work from our volunteer Blanche! She’s erected shelters today over nests at Nelly Bay. The future hatchlings and MINT thank you! See more

11.12.2021 40 turtles released on the island in Nelly Bay by the Magnetic Island Network for Turtles

30.11.2021 Super high tide meant we became Magnetic Islands Best Boat Tours today... #magneticislandtours #thisismagneticisland #cocklebay #picnicbay #hightide

13.11.2021 Caught these little microbats hanging around trying to beat the summer heat. At a guess, they're our Coastal Sheathtail Bat (Taphozous australis). Bit hard to identify from a distance, but I didn't want to get too close. Generally restricted to coastal and near-coastal areas in northern and eastern Queensland from Shoalwater Bay to the tip of Cape York Peninsula, and the Torres Strait Islands. Estimates are that only 9,000-10,000 individuals are left.

03.11.2021 Closed Thursday at this stage. We are due to get some rain and wind over the next few days. We have decided not to operate tomorrow - Thursday 30 Dec. We will reconsider opening in the morning if it improves.

21.10.2021 Morning coffee by the beach. Great way to start a Sunday

04.10.2021 How do you carry out infrastructure upgrades and repairs when the island is 78% National Park and mostly bushy granite hills?

19.09.2021 Our local Guides have been hard at work preparing a Wildlife Care Poster. Keep an eye out on our bus for one over the next few weeks.

13.09.2021 Something a bit different today. We had the pleasure of driving not one, but two ministers around. The Hon. Scott Stewart MP, Minister for Resources & The Hon. Meaghan Scanlon MP,. Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs. It was great to share our slice of paradise with them. Here they are meeting our Wulgurukaba Yunbenun Rangers at the new Forts carpark.

06.09.2021 We will be changing our terms and conditions on 17th December 2021. This is to comply with changes being introduced by the Queensland Government. From 17th December:, any staff or guests joining our experience will need to be fully vaccinated. All guests have to be able to show proof of vaccination, when asked. and before being admitted onto the tour.... https://www.magneticislandtours.net.au/covid-update-change/

19.08.2021 Good morning Australia, we see you still sleeping over there...

04.08.2021 It's on! Guess which of our island's bays was where this phenomenon was first caught of camera?

30.07.2021 There's something in the air...