Magical Magnetic Island, off Townsville

Judy and I parted company at Mission Beach, she went north to Cairns and Cooktown, I went south on the Greyhound to Townsville, where I caught the ferry across to Magnetic Island. What a beautiful place, it reminded me of Waiheke Island in the sixties. And you don't need a fortune to stay there.




The view towards the mainland from Geoffrey Bay, across the road from Arcadia Beach Guest House.







Rock wallabies come out to be fed, late in the afternoon and when the tour bus comes along. They are really just big rats with long tales but very cute.






Alma Beach is where the locals swim and I did too. It is a beautful horseshoe shaped cove and the current goes right past, so there are no stingers.







I took many photos of the aerial roots which were fascinating.






Tropical nights come very quickly and it is pitch black soon after sunset. The screeching of the curlews starts at about 4am, blood curdling screams. They lurk about innocently under the trees all day but at night cause many visitors to think somoone is being murdered.


Arcadia Beach Guest House at Arcadia was very comfy and very reasonably priced, and right across the road from the beach, just around the corner from the shops and bus stop. My home away from home. I liked it so much I stayed four nights instead of two.



Take a close look at the sign, beside the Peppers resort at Nelly Bay. I would not be so keen to visit during the cyclone season!