I discovered how to tour a whole island in Australia for just $1 – here's how you can too
Located a scenic 20-minute ferry ride across the Coral Sea from Townsville, Magnetic Island – or Yunbenun to the Traditional Wulgurukaba People – is one of Australia's most accessible island escapes. Sure, it's got 23 palm-fringed beaches and secluded bays to laze about on, but there's so many other natural wonders to discover. More than two-thirds of the island is protected National Park, woven with 25 kilometres of interconnected hiking trails that lead to fringing coral reefs, WWII forts and breathtaking ocean lookouts. Plus, it's home to the largest colony of koalas in Northern Australia.
To reach Magnetic Island, you'll need to cover the ferry fare, which is $22 one-way for adults and $11 for kids – a small price for a ticket to paradise. Plus, with 17 daily services run by SeaLink, a day trip is super doable. Once you depart the ferry at Nelly Bay Terminal, it's just a 30-second walk to the bus stop, where Sunbus runs hop-on-hop-off services in both directions – one route heads to Picnic Bay and the other to Horseshoe Bay. I couldn't believe it when the bus driver told me a full day of unlimited rides would set me back just $1. Not even a bottle of water from the supermarket is that cheap these days!
Even better, Magnetic Island is a breeze to explore on a budget. I took the Sunbus to Forts Junction, where the island's most popular walk starts. Named after the WWII coastal defence forts along the route, the 90-minute return Forts Walk offers the perfect blend of history, nature and wildlife. From the summit, I was rewarded with 360-degree views over pristine bays and dense national park. And while walking, I was lucky to spot one of the island's resident koalas snoozing in the trees. Fun fact: Magnetic Island is home to the largest colony of koalas in Northern Queensland and has a dedicated hospital that works to rehabilitate injured and abandoned koalas.
After reaching the summit of the Forts Walk, you can veer down a trail to the stunning, secluded Florence Bay. I chose to head back to the trail's start and hopped on the bus to Horseshoe Bay using my unlimited pass. While Horseshoe is one of Magnetic Island's more popular beaches, it comes with a charming strip of shops featuring cosy local galleries, beach boutiques and plenty of spots to grab a bite. If you're on a budget, you can pack your own lunch and settle for a picnic by the shore before taking a refreshing dip.
Unfortunately, the weather turned after lunch, so I made my way back to Nelly Bay to catch the ferry to Townsville. But on a bright, sunny day – which Magnetic Island enjoys 320 days a year – I'd have jumped on the bus to Arcadia for a swim in the stunning Alma Bay or explored the famous snorkel trail at Geoffrey Bay – home to giant clams, the Moltke shipwreck and other fascinating WWII relics. Bonus tip: If you've got time, catch the bus further north to Cockle Bay to check out the Instagram-famous SS City of Adelaide – a historic shipwreck located 300 metres offshore and accessible at low tide. You might as well make the most of that $1 bus fare!
Magnetic Island's $1 hop-on, hop-off bus fare is an extension of the Queensland Government's 50 Cent Fares initiative, which has now been extended permanently. But if this initiative ever ends, fares would revert to $7 for a full‑day pass – which I'd still consider cheap compared to most destinations in Australia. Keen for island time? Here are the best things to do in Townsville right now.
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Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Ditch Cornwall for my perfect seaside county this summer – we have better beaches, bays and incredible seaside campsites
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Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 Emily has lived in Dorset all her life - here are her hidden gems Credit: Emily Luxton 11 Ditch Durdle Door for some more popular spots Credit: Alamy Win one of 8 incredible holidays to the Caribbean, Mexico and Greece by voting in The Sun's Travel Awards - enter to win here But there are plenty of spots where you can escape the crowds - and even places where you can have a beach all to yourself. I'm a local expert from the blog Dorset Travel Guide, and this is my pick of the top hidden gems in the county. Kimmeridge Bay Durdle Door gets all the glory (and all the crowds), but there are plenty of other impressive spots on Dorset's Jurassic Coast. Kimmeridge Bay has all the best bits from fossils, to rock pools, clifftop coastal walks, and sheltered water for a wild swim. There's even a waterfall right on the beach, though it's usually only a trickle in summer. 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Nearby Freshwater Bay Holiday Park is a great base for exploring West Dorset - and has its own private beach. They also allow day visitors outside of school holidays: I love taking my nieces and nephews to use the indoor pool and bowling alley. 11 Brownsea Island is a National Trust nature reserve Credit: Alamy Brownsea Island Hop on a ferry from Poole Quay to reach Brownsea Island, a National Trust nature reserve and one of the only places in the UK where you can still see red squirrels. You can walk around the whole island in a matter of hours, so it's ideal for a day trip to get away from it all. If you feel like being extra adventurous, you can kayak or paddleboard to the island. Tout Quarry Sculpture Park & Nature Reserve Tout Quarry feels like it should be much better-known than it is, but I've often had the place completely to myself! It's an abandoned quarry that was turned into a sculpture park, where you can wander amongst the rocks and wildflowers in search of stone sculptures - including a piece by Anthony Gormley. Summer is my favourite time to visit, when the wildflowers and butterflies are out in full force. 11 Dorset Adventure Park has a huge on the water inflatable Credit: Dorset Adventure Park Dorset Adventure Park I love a good challenge, and the Dorset Adventure Park is perfect for thrill seekers. You can get wet and wild on the inflatable, floating obstacle course in the water park, or get dirty on the 2km Mud Trail assault course. I recommend bringing something to sit on for the car ride home!
Times
11-08-2025
- Times
The secret story of my grandpa's life as a prisoner of war in Japan
L ast year, while looking through my grandfather Joe Hazel's papers, which our mother had given to the Imperial War Museum, we discovered a small black notebook. It was written in a prisoner of war camp more than 80 years ago but its contents read more like a holiday brochure than a diary of the deprivations and cruelties that PoWs had suffered at the hands of their Japanese captors during the Second World War. Each page listed holiday trips, with tips on places to stay, things to do and how to get there. 'Glenbeigh Hotel — Shore of Dingle Bay, about 1 mile from sea, a lovely strand,' read one entry, in Joe's neat handwriting. 'Good holiday for children but go in summer months to avoid rain.'
Time Out
04-08-2025
- Time Out
I discovered how to tour a whole island in Australia for just $1 – here's how you can too
Last week, I visited Townsville for the very first time. With 320 sunny days per year and 28 kilometres of pristine coastline, it was the perfect place to escape the winter chill back home in Sydney. I knew Townsville was a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, along with the majestic Magnetic and Hinchinbrook Islands. What I didn't expect? That I could explore one of these tropical island gems – just 20 minutes from the city – for the bargain price of $1. Yep, a whole island adventure for the cost of a cheeky servo coffee. Located a scenic 20-minute ferry ride across the Coral Sea from Townsville, Magnetic Island – or Yunbenun to the Traditional Wulgurukaba People – is one of Australia's most accessible island escapes. Sure, it's got 23 palm-fringed beaches and secluded bays to laze about on, but there's so many other natural wonders to discover. More than two-thirds of the island is protected National Park, woven with 25 kilometres of interconnected hiking trails that lead to fringing coral reefs, WWII forts and breathtaking ocean lookouts. Plus, it's home to the largest colony of koalas in Northern Australia. To reach Magnetic Island, you'll need to cover the ferry fare, which is $22 one-way for adults and $11 for kids – a small price for a ticket to paradise. Plus, with 17 daily services run by SeaLink, a day trip is super doable. Once you depart the ferry at Nelly Bay Terminal, it's just a 30-second walk to the bus stop, where Sunbus runs hop-on-hop-off services in both directions – one route heads to Picnic Bay and the other to Horseshoe Bay. I couldn't believe it when the bus driver told me a full day of unlimited rides would set me back just $1. Not even a bottle of water from the supermarket is that cheap these days! Even better, Magnetic Island is a breeze to explore on a budget. I took the Sunbus to Forts Junction, where the island's most popular walk starts. Named after the WWII coastal defence forts along the route, the 90-minute return Forts Walk offers the perfect blend of history, nature and wildlife. From the summit, I was rewarded with 360-degree views over pristine bays and dense national park. And while walking, I was lucky to spot one of the island's resident koalas snoozing in the trees. Fun fact: Magnetic Island is home to the largest colony of koalas in Northern Queensland and has a dedicated hospital that works to rehabilitate injured and abandoned koalas. After reaching the summit of the Forts Walk, you can veer down a trail to the stunning, secluded Florence Bay. I chose to head back to the trail's start and hopped on the bus to Horseshoe Bay using my unlimited pass. While Horseshoe is one of Magnetic Island's more popular beaches, it comes with a charming strip of shops featuring cosy local galleries, beach boutiques and plenty of spots to grab a bite. If you're on a budget, you can pack your own lunch and settle for a picnic by the shore before taking a refreshing dip. Unfortunately, the weather turned after lunch, so I made my way back to Nelly Bay to catch the ferry to Townsville. But on a bright, sunny day – which Magnetic Island enjoys 320 days a year – I'd have jumped on the bus to Arcadia for a swim in the stunning Alma Bay or explored the famous snorkel trail at Geoffrey Bay – home to giant clams, the Moltke shipwreck and other fascinating WWII relics. Bonus tip: If you've got time, catch the bus further north to Cockle Bay to check out the Instagram-famous SS City of Adelaide – a historic shipwreck located 300 metres offshore and accessible at low tide. You might as well make the most of that $1 bus fare! Magnetic Island's $1 hop-on, hop-off bus fare is an extension of the Queensland Government's 50 Cent Fares initiative, which has now been extended permanently. But if this initiative ever ends, fares would revert to $7 for a full‑day pass – which I'd still consider cheap compared to most destinations in Australia. Keen for island time? Here are the best things to do in Townsville right now.
