Magnetic Island & Townsville

Magnetic Island (Yunbenun) sits just 8 kilometres off the coast of Townsville in north Queensland and is one of the most underrated stops on the East Coast. With nearly half the island protected as national park, wild koalas that are easy to spot, and pristine bays perfect for snorkelling, "Maggie Island" delivers a laidback tropical island experience without the crowds or price tag of the Whitsundays.

The Forts Walk is the island's must-do experience. This 4-kilometre return trail passes through WWII gun emplacements and radar stations built to defend Townsville's harbour, and the eucalyptus woodland along the track is one of the best places in Australia to spot koalas in the wild. Most walkers see several — they're remarkably abundant here. The views from the summit across Cleveland Bay and the Coral Sea are outstanding.

Hiring a topless car (a Barbie-car-looking open-top mini vehicle) is the classic way to explore the island. They're cheap, easy to drive, and perfect for hopping between the 23 beaches and bays that dot the coastline. Horseshoe Bay is the main hub with restaurants, water sports, and a long sandy beach. Alma Bay is sheltered and calm — ideal for snorkelling straight off the shore. Geoffrey Bay has some of the best fringing reef snorkelling on the island, with coral bommies and tropical fish just a few metres from the sand.

Magnetic Island is also a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, with day trips departing from Townsville's reef terminal to outer reef pontoons where the coral is pristine and the visibility is exceptional. Wreck diving on the SS Yongala — one of the world's top 10 dive sites — is accessible from here.

The island has a well-established backpacker scene with affordable hostels, a few great pubs, and a famously relaxed pace of life. Most East Coast travellers spend 2–3 nights here, and many say it was the surprise highlight of their trip. The ferry from Townsville takes just 25 minutes and runs multiple times daily.