The Magnetic Island Bus Service runs from Picnic Bay to Horseshoe Bay via the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal. Buses are 40 minutes or more apart, depending on the time of day and day of week. The timetable is posted at the bus stop at the ferry terminal. The bus services are reasonably well synchronised with the Sunferries passenger ferry. A wheelchair accessible bus is available, call in advance to book.
Magnetic Island mostly has good quality sealed roads, but there are some unsealed roads that require a four-wheel drive.
You can bring your own vehicle on the car ferry, or you can hire cars, four-wheel drives and minimokes on the island:
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* Cars from $30/day (unlimited kms & insurance included)
All of the villages are small enough to allow easy walking within their bounds. In theory the entire island is small enough that you could walk from end to end in less than a day, but the paths are not designed for it. There are walking tracks through the National Park on the island, but they are scenic walking routes rather than a direct way to get to different parts of the island. The direct roads themselves aren't always pedestrian friendly; some roads lack footpaths so you have to share the sometimes narrow and winding roads with cars.
[wiki=f0d49e403c13ac13c3cfe7aea9f09576]Sailing[/wiki] tours are available on the island, and usually depart from either Nelly Bay Harbour or Horseshoe Bay.
* Jazza offers sailing and cruising water tours around the beautiful bays of Magnetic Island. The 42 foot Jazza yacht can accommodate up to 13 persons for day and sunset tours. Activities include snorkeling, trolling in the boomnet, fish feeding, learning to sail, secluded beach getaways and just relaxing and enjoying the ride. Homemade pizza and snacks are included.
[wiki=f0a9e1d85f606b67d581023c8420933a]Scuba diving[/wiki] is available on the island, and there are trips out to the [wiki=9b36d354ed6d3178ed1d6b392849ed0c]Great Barrier Reef[/wiki] leaving Magnetic Island:
* Adrenalin Dive offers 2 dive day trips to the Yongala departing Townsville and Magnetic Island. The base price is $179, equipment hire $35. Divers must have at least 6 logged dives, and divers with less than 15 logged dives will need to pay $30 for a guided dive. [url=http://www.padi.com/]PADI[/url] certification courses are available via the Pro Dive Townsville liveaboard, see the [wiki=bbd0d31b86adca50c585411ca8aada0c]Townsville[/wiki] article for details.
* Pleasure Divers is close to Magnetic Island's shore diving and hires out snorkeling equipment and scuba. They also conduct [url=http://www.padi.com/]PADI[/url] certification courses: introductory Open Water is $299 if shore diving, and certification including reef trips start at $469.
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Offers both morning and sunset kayak tours of Horseshoe bay and surrounding areas of the island. The morning tour includes a simple breakfast (muesli and fruit). The owner Steve is bit of a character and is rather condescending, but the scenery and fresh sea air is worth it.
Ensure you take a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and water for these walks around the island.
* A 1-2 hour return walk to the ruins of a World War II fort that was designed to protect Townsville from attack. There are fantastic views of Arthur Bay and Horseshoe Bay along from track and from the Fort command post at the top. Also make sure to look for koalas in the trees above the track.
* 600m, 30 minutes. One of the easiest and shortest walks on the island with views across to Townsville.
* 8kms, 2.5 hours. This walk is quite different to the rest of the walks on the island, passing through wetlands, mangroves and salt-waters swamps. Good walk for spotting native wildlife.
* 6kms, 2 hours. This walk passes through rainforest, alongside Gustav Creek and up a ridge. There are shops at both ends of the walk, and this walk is good for spotting local wildlife.
* 3kms, 1 hour. This track crosses the road twice and continues along the main road to Horseshoe Bay.
* 3kms, 45 minutes. Be aware that Balding Bay is a nudist beach. Take note of the tide times, as the beach track becomes inaccessible (unless you swim!) when the tide comes in late in the afternoon.