Magnetic Island, Australia Photography

Photographing Magnetic Island

A granite-boulder island 8 kilometers off Townsville, more than three-quarters national and conservation park, where wild rock-wallabies gather on the rocks and koalas are easier to spot than almost anywhere else in Australia.

Where to shoot

Geoffrey Bay — wild Allied Rock-wallabies gathered on the granite boulders, most active in late afternoon.
The Forts Walk — a 3.8-kilometer WWII heritage trail and one of Australia's most reliable wild-koala sightings.
Horseshoe Bay — the island's largest beach, a three-kilometer curve of white sand.
Magnetic Island's granite coastline — boulders and tors from a roughly 255-280-million-year-old granite intrusion.

When to go

May through October, the dry season, avoiding both the wet-season storms and the marine-stinger season that runs November through May in the surrounding waters.

What to eat

Fresh-caught reef fish and tropical fruit from the beachfront cafes above Horseshoe Bay.

Where to stay

Horseshoe Bay or Nelly Bay, both with easy access to the ferry terminal and the island's main bus route.

Head to Geoffrey Bay in late afternoon for wallabies, but don't feed them — the island's wallabies are already bold enough from past tourist feeding to cause real problems.