Magnetic Island Guide 2021

42
ACTIVITIES
Island Walking Tracks
The Forts Walk 2.8km (1.5hrs return)
NB: The Fort Hub is currently under construction.
Visit magneticcommunitynews.com for access details.
Starting at the Forts Hub, the track winds its way
along the ridge with good views above Arthur and
Florence Bays. Keep an eye out in the canopy for
koalas. On the way up, there are two World War II gun
emplacements, one either side of the track. Some
of the “rocks” are actually false, being the remains
of the camouflaging over the emplacements. Only
the tell-tale wire netting give them away.
At the top among the giant granite boulders and
hoop pines there are two buildings. One is the
Observation Tower where there is an uninterrupted
view up and down the coast on one side,
and the Townsville Harbour on the other.
You’ll experience a 360 degree panoramic view
from the other building (the Command Post),
which is still in use for navigation lights.
Using the map provided near the back of this
guide you will be able to identify the various
bays. Looking inland, the track from Nelly Bay to
Arcadia can be faintly seen snaking across the
distant ridge. Below is Horseshoe Bay Lagoon,
and the large flat area which was once pineapple
farms. Looking across Horseshoe Bay the large
island is Palm Island, one of the many, including
Orpheus Island, in the Palm Island Group.
Horseshoe Bay to Radical Bay via
Balding Bay 3 km (45 minutes)
At the eastern end of the Horseshoe Bay foreshore
the track climbs up and along a ridge. A turn left
leads down to Balding Bay. By continuing along the
ridge it is about the same distance to Radical Bay. A
road leads from Radical Bay back to the main road.