Magnetic Island, stay with kids

Check our ferry prices vs car rental (mokes). rental might be cheaper and I suspect it will be. 10 minutes drive time max to get across the island. There is a bus and taxi service too.
Have a look at Maggies Backpackers in Horseshoe Bay. They have family rooms that can sleep five. We saw many families there when we stayed.
Haven't been there for 8 years so all may have changed but Horseshow Bay at the far end of the island was the pick of the stops to base yourself back then.
Best solution, in my opinion, would be to spend a few days in or around that bay (lots to do - snorkeling, horse riding, sailing, walking, exploring other bays on foot etc)and then just hire a car for the last few when you want to explore the rest of the island. As most visitors don't have a car organised activities that need transport will come and pick you up.
We loved the place but haven't been back as we now live in WA.

Hi Joe its not a big island can see it in around couple hours. Ferry from Townsville takes 25 minutes but must book in advance, good idea to take vehicle as there are 2 taxis and many people go to the island and lots of locals. It has a nude beach, just to warn the kids. Go on the net type in Magnetic island and the local visitor bureau as well, best ring visitor bureau, they can arrange everything, best of luck
Cheers.

Hi Joe
If you take your car on the ferry, you, misses and the kid's travel free on the ferry it will be cheaper. Up to six people can travel with car.
Regards

G'day Joe, take the car..it is small but you still need a car. We stayed in a very
reasonably priced unit towards the southern end, just off the beach. School
holidays will be crowded & more expensive. It is a very pleasant place to visit if
you like the beach thing, walks etc......oldbaz.

Hi Joe Grace.....

Spent all my school holidays on Maggie Island and despite now living in Sydney we still make the pilgrimage once every year or so.

If it is a low key place you want, and not a ritzy resort this is the place to go (and that is a plus in my books!). There are a number of alternatives in terms of areas to stay. Nelly Bay is where the ferry now comes in, Picnic Bay, Arcadia, just around the coast, and Horseshoe Bay on the other side of the island. The Western side of the island is generally not accessible.

My pick would be Horseshoe Bay and there are a number of apartments for holiday rental there (First National Real Estate Magnetic Island). It has a good swimming beach with enclosure and a tavern, generally quite sheltered and a great place to holiday with kids and I’d expect you’ll easily find something within the price range you are looking at.

As for a car, we have never taken one in preference to hiring a moke, but I suspect for a week taking your own car would be cheaper, and assuming you’ll be driving there from Doomadgee in any case....but you need to book the ferry. Also worth noting that the hire car companies generally will not let you take their cars to Radical Bay, which is a beautiful spot and worthy of a visit.

As a matter of interest we stopped at the road house in Doomadgee on our recent trip North (is that where you are?). Will be heading back up there next year and explore a bit further North-West in the Lorella Springs area.

Enjoy, The Landy

Many thanks for the info guys, love hearing from others that have been there and all the info will be put to good use...
Again many thanks

Hi all again, are there "stingers" there ...... or can you swim in the water in Oct ????? .....
Got our relief managment sorted so all is go now, cant wait ......

The Mokes are great over there. However they are only permitted to be driven on the black top. That restricts you to half the roads. You will not be able to get to one of the best beaches and the old quarantine station.