Magnetic Island — "Maggie" to locals — sits 8 km off the coast of Townsville in north Queensland. More than half the island is national park, covered in eucalyptus woodland and granite boulders, with 23 km of walking tracks and a resident population of wild koalas.
The island has four main bays with small settlements: Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay (where the ferry arrives), Arcadia, and Horseshoe Bay. Horseshoe Bay is the liveliest, with a long beach, water sports hire, and a few bars. The Forts Walk, a trail through World War II gun emplacements on the headland between Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay, is the best short hike on the island and a reliable spot for seeing koalas in the wild.
Getting there is straightforward — a 20-minute ferry from Townsville's terminal, running frequently throughout the day. A local bus connects the bays, or you can rent a car or scooter.