MAGNETIC ISLAND, AU
This special island, began forming over 275 million years ago, and is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Over half of the island's 5184 hectares is also protected as National Park, with a variety of 'dry tropics' vegetation. Every ride winds you thru the bush hinterland, lagoon, & onto the 5 km sweeping Horseshoe Bay beach.

The Aboriginal Traditional Owners, the Wulgurukaba ('canoe people'), know the island as 'Yunbenun', and lived here for thousands of years. Shell middens, stone tools, art sites and burial sites on the island are physical reminders of their long occupation. Their stories, such as the Big Carpet Snake, unite land and sea life, and tell of the creation of this landscape during the Dreamtime.

WILDLIFE
Nowadays, locals call the island 'Maggie' Island - the island has abundant wildlife in different sea, and land habitats, and intact ecosystems.

Eucalypt forests, and stands of hoop pines wedged amoungst enormous boulders are home to koalas, goannas, butterflies, kangaroos, rock wallabys, and more than 180 species of birds. Brushtail possums. Wild sulpher-crested, and red-tailed black cockatoo parrots. Bush stone-curlews. Snakes. Are just a few of the wild animals seen here.

Mangrove forests, and hard, soft, and fringing coral reef areas thrive as essential fish nurseries. The local waters contain key seagrass meadows that attract dugongs, and are declared Dugong Protection Areas. Great beach swimming spots for you, and for the turtles who also nest here. And in August, the protected waters play host to humpback whales.

OTHER HORSESHOE BAY ACTIVITIES
Heaps of things to do on our side of Maggie Island. For a full day of adventure and adrenalin pumping action why not try a jet ski tour around the island in the morning followed by a bush and beach horse ride at Blueys Horseshoe Ranch in the afternoon.

Adrenalin Jet Ski Tours operate daily and take you on a fantastic tour fully circumnavigating the Island on the latest sea doo craft, you will often see dolphins, dugongs, giant turtles and sometimes even whales during their migration to warmer waters. This tour is one to not be missed so get set to get wet and have some adrenalin pumping fun. To book just give Pete or Sharon a call on 07 4778 5533. Or email: magneticjet@beyond.net.au

There is also a large variety of watercraft for hire on the beach including paddle boats, sea kayaks, sailing cats, or you can even try splashing around on a tube ride. They are all good fun and very reasonably priced so just head on down to Horseshoe Bay Beach and catch up with Tim, Alby, and Arne -- our friendly local beach bums who will show you a good time and fix you up with the water craft of your choice.

Horseshoe bay also offers motorbike or scooter hire, outstanding fishing, snorkelling, a wildlife park with well marked hiking trails, along with a wonderful selection of restauarnts, eateries and bars with happy hour specials .

Free public gas BBQ facilities, easy accesible boat ramp and some of the best sunsets in the world all year round.

Accomodation ranges from luxury beachfront apartments to budget backpacker hostels. There is also a fantastic range of private holiday homes for rent and Bed and Breakfasts.

From Townsville, you take a 30 min. Passenger Ferry, or a 50 min. Vehicle Barge over to Magnetic Island. Ferries run night and day. Check for specific times: http://www.sunferries.com.au