Magnetic Island Resorts | Island Palms Resort

Magnetic Island Activities - Island Palms Resort

We usually recommend you wait and book tours through Reception. We can try and predict the best weather day for your activity. The Island offers island fringe coral snorkelling trips, horse riding, jet-ski circumnavigation of the Island, sea kayaking, sailing trips, stretch jeep tours, fishing trips, dive trips to the S. S. Yongala site, great walks, beautiful scenery – it’s a wonderful place to enjoy the beauty of nature and put the demands of busy lives in perspective.

BRIEF IDEA OF SOME OF THE THINGS TO DO ON “MAGGIE” (BESIDES CHILL OUT!)

Magnetic Island Community Markets

2nd SATURDAY & last SUNDAY of the Month*: Magnetic Island Community Markets 9:30am-2pm on the foreshore, Horseshoe Bay. (* some variations occur – see list of dates on notice board at bottom of each stairwell. Can also close in January & recommence in March).

Car Hire

YOU CAN’T GO PAST THE QUALITY VEHICLES AND GREAT RATES FOR ISLAND PALMS’ VERY OWN VEHICLES

Jazza

Hit the seas with Captain Michael on his 42 foot steel yacht. Enjoy 6 hours of relaxed sailing, snorkeling & boom-netting & dine on the best onboard pizzas in Nth Qld.

Bush Walks

If you like walks you have come to the right place, there are plenty to choose from.

Tropicana Tours

Winner of 9 Tourism Awards! Offers a unique, informative, great fun 3, 5 or 8 hour tour daily in their super stretch jeep. Have the most fun you can have on 4 wheels.

Horse Riding

Head over to Horseshoe Bay Ranch at Horseshoe Bay. Walk your horse through the waters of the bay (subject to your horse’s co-operation!). 2 hour bush ‘n beach rides depart at approx. 8:30am & 2:30pm. Enjoy the scenic beauty of Horseshoe Bay, its wildlife, beach, lagoon and hinterland.

Toad Races

EVERY WEDNESDAY (FOR THE PAST 22 YEARS): Toad Races, 8pm for 8:15pm start. Island Tavern, Arcadia. Unlike our northern cousins, no entrance fee, just what you bet. 8 toads per race, 3 races. You bid for a toad. All proceeds donated to Island community groups. What more can we say – an Island institution, an absolute must!

Fishing Charters

Are you a serious Fisherman?? Awesome Sport Fishing Charters will offer you an exceptional experience. 8.2m Sport Fisher or 5.95 Goodwin long boat vessels to choose from. Half & full day trips. Quality Shimano rods and reels provided. Experienced crew.

Water Sports

Fun day on the water including snorkelling, boom-netting & tube riding with Seaquest Island Cruising. Approx. 4 hour trip. Great value. The same skipper also offers fishing trips on other days.

Jet Ski Tours

With Adrenalin Jet Ski – every week we get a thrill seeker or speed nut that wants to try this adrenalin adventure—Add circumnavigation of an island to your thrill-seeking resume! 3 hour guided tour. Or try their 75 minute “Top End Tour”. (Combined weight limit 240kg. 8yo+ can drive if shares a ski with an adult. To drive solo, you must be 16yo+).

Providence Sailing

Enjoy the waters surrounding the island on this 62 foot gaff rigged topsail classic schooner. Day trips approx. 9am-3pm (snorkeling gear & stinger suits supplied) or a Sunset Cruise approx 4:30-7:30pm.

Aquasearch Lab and Aquarium

Just turn up, 9:30am-4:30 daily. 6-10 Eleena St, Nelly Bay. 20-25minute walk. See hundreds of “Nemos” and feel the amazing texture of a living giant clam mantel while inquisitive clown fish nibble your fingers. Kids big and small love it!!

Magnetic Island History and Craft Centre

Like to see some fantastic old photos of the Island? Visit this volunteer run centre, Granite St (next to Police Station), Picnic Bay 10am-2:30pm daily except Tuesdays. (closes annually after Australia Day weekend re-opening for Easter)

Sea Kayaks

Paddle your own kayak (sharing a double kayak), led by an experienced and qualified guide, departing from Horseshoe Bay, drifting over sea grass beds & coral gardens. Sea Kayaks was the Island’s first “Advanced Ecotourism” certified tour. No experience necessary as full instruction is provided.

Going to Townsville for the Day?

Get your tickets for the award winning Billabong Sanctuary from Reception before you go (price includes Townsville bus transfer) and the unique Reef HQ. Also ask us about the fun & informative Tropicana City Sights Tour, 4 hour glimpse of Townsville—pick up at the Breakwater Ferry Terminal. Strand Water Park - most of you with children spy it on your taxi ride from the airport to the ferry! Just remember it’s closed every Tuesday & Wednesday (but open daily during Qld & NSW school holidays).

Other Special Things You Can Do

To the left of Reception, walk along the harbour break-wall on dusk—head to the rock wall near the heli-pad, to see our community of Rock Wallabies. They’re timid so keep the noise down and don’t try to get too close to them. If you have a car or take a bus to Arcadia, walk along the old barge road at Geoffrey Bay—plenty of Rock Wallabies there any time of the day + possums after dark. Take some bread to feed the large Diamond Backed Mullet (DON’T give bread to the wallabies or possums even if you see others doing it—it will eventually kill them!).