Most of our guests fly in to Townsville Airport, serviced by Qantas/Jetstar and Virgin Airlines. Some of the Sydney and southern states flights have you landing in Townsville before midday. Whilst your guaranteed check-in time is 4pm, we sometimes have rooms available an hour or two earlier (depending on departure order and requests) – but let us know in advance you’re arriving early. Remember to pack your swimmers and towels at the top of your cases so you can relax in the pool if your room is not ready on arrival.
You need to allow least 40 minutes from landing to reach the ferry terminal – this allows time to collect your luggage and catch a taxi in Townsville . The taxi ride takes approximately 15-20 minutes to reach the Breakwater Ferry Terminal in Townsville for your trip to Magnetic Island. An airport to Breakwater Ferry Terminal shuttle service also has a number of schedules and is an economical option for solo travellers or couples. Advance bookings required, online at shuttleTSV.com.au or phone 0478 160 036 to book or enquire if they meet your flight. $10 single traveller, $15 couple.
If you are going to catch a Sealink passenger ferry later than the 3.50pm you will not arrive before reception closes at 5pm. It is important that you ring us in advance so we can explain arrangements for your after hours check-in. If you will not be arriving until the Sunday or later, you must also ring prior to reception closing on Saturday.
The Sealink passenger ferry crossing takes 20 minutes and you disembark at Nelly Bay. Once you reach the Island you can board a bus, get a taxi or walk to Island Palms Resort.
- Island Bus: approach one of the bus drivers out the front of the terminal building, say you’re off to Island Palms Resort and they will advise which of the two buses to board (it’s the one to Picnic Bay).
- Island Taxi: If there’s a free one at the rank, off you go, but if there are none there, might be quicker to board the bus. Sometimes there is only one taxi working the whole island and they may not return to the rank after the ferry arrival.
- Walking: We are only 1.2 Km from the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal. Some guests have walked if they are traveling light and it’s not too hot! (Refer to “Driving” for walking directions to the resort).
Yes, you can bring your car over to Magnetic Island on the Magnetic Island Ferries car barge. We highly recommend that you pre-book your car well before your crossing time.
Magnetic Island Ferries*
P: (07) 4796 9300 for a quote and timetable or to enquire/book online visit: magneticislandferries.com.au
**Note: This car barge is a different service to the passenger ferry run by Sealink. You’ll need to board the barge in Ross Street South Townsville, on the other side of the creek from the Sealink Breakwater Terminal which is near the Ville Casino.
From the Magnetic Island ferry and barge terminal (Nelly Bay Harbour) to Island Palms Resort
Once you disembark the car barge at the Nelly Bay ferry terminal follow the road straight ahead off barge, turn left at the roundabout when IGA supermarket is on your right. You’ve now entered Sooning Street. Approx 700 meters on, take second left (Kelly Street) then turn right at the beachfront – The Esplanade. Island Palms Resort reception is the second building on your right and clearly signposted.