InTownsville and Magnetic Island Guide March - August 2020

ISLAND WALKS
The Forts Walk
Photo Tourism and Events Queensland
HAWKINGS POINT
Distance: 1.2km return Time: 1 hour Grade: easy
From the eastern end of Picnic Street in Picnic Bay, a
track winds to the top of a large boulder, affording
views over the island to Nelly and Geoffrey bays and
back towards Townsville.
PICNIC BAY TO WEST POINT
Distance: 16km return Time: 5 hours Grade: easy
This walk follows an unsealed road that links the bays
on the western side of the island. The track starts
at Yule Street near the golf course, passing a tidal
wetland, mangroves, paperbark swamps and savanna
grasslands.
NELLY BAY TO ARCADIA BAY
Distance: 5km one way
Time: 2.5 hours Grade: moderate
From the end of Mandalay Avenue in Nelly Bay, this walk
passes through a vine-thicket pocket, climbs gradually
to the saddle between Nelly and Horseshoe bays and
then follows a ridge with views over Horseshoe Bay. The
track then branches, with one track leading to Arcadia
Bay and the other to Horseshoe Bay Road, where you
can continue on to other tracks. A 400m return sidetrack
to the Sphinx lookout branches from the main track,
750m from Arcadia.
THE FORTS WALK
Distance: 4km return
Time: 1.5 hours Grade: moderate
One of the most popular tracks on the island, the
Forts walk leads to historic WWII fortifications and
infrastructure. Lookouts along the way afford excellent
views to the Palm Island Group in the north and Bowling
Green Bay National Park in the south. Koalas are often
seen in trees along the track. The walk culminates in 360
degree views from the top of the fortifications. Starting
on Horseshoe Bay Road at the turn-off to Radical Bay,
the track ascends, sometimes steeply, to follow a ridge
behind the bays before arriving at the ruins of the Forts
complex operated during World War II.
ARTHUR, FLORENCE AND RADICAL BAYS
Distance: 1.4km - 6km return
Time: 30mins - 2 hours return
Starting from the Forts carpark, an easy track leads
down to these undeveloped bays, which provide
excellent swimming and snorkelling.
HORSESHOE BAY LAGOON
Distance: 200m return Time: 15mins
Horseshoe Bay Lagoon is a popular area for
birdwatching. The track begins on Horseshoe Bay Road,
about 200m from the beach, and leads to a lagoon
where a number of waterbirds can be seen.
HORSESHOE BAY TO BALDING & RADICAL BAYS
Distance: 3.4km return
Time: 60 mins return Grade: moderate
The track begins at the eastern end of Horseshoe Bay
beach and climbs through a steep gully of closed forest
to an open eucalypt ridge. One branch of the track
leads down to the secluded Balding Bay (popular with
‘sun lovers’) and the other continues onto Radical Bay
north facing so it’s cool in summer and warm in winter.
Both bays offer excellent swimming opportunities. From
Radical you can continue on along the ungraded road
to end up at the Forts carpark.
FOR THE FIT AND ADVENTUROUS
Time: A few hours (depends on drink and rest stops)
Take in a day of walking from Nelly Bay to Horseshoe
Bay and discover the entire beauty of the Island. Stop
at the many views and see wildlife along the way,
including rock wallabies, koalas and an abundance of
birdlife. All tracks join at various points with distances
well marked. Be prepared for some uphill climbs, the
views are rewarding. Once at Horseshoe Bay, reward
yourself with a cold refreshing drink, a gelato or coffee
while waiting for the bus for the return trip.
SAFETY TIPS
To help protect the environment, and to make
your stay more enjoyable: Take your time, stop
often for rest breaks. On hot days, you can suffer
heat exhaustion. Try to avoid the heat of the
midday sun.
Stay on track and take care on uneven or loose
surfaces. Take care around cliffs, steep slopes
and rock faces along the tracks and at lookouts.
Always carry plenty of drinking water. Wear
sunscreen and a hat. Wear sturdy footwear, not
thongs. Take care for the environment as most
of the island is National Park.
66 | March - August 2020
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