Magnetic Island is only 8 km from Townsville and easily visible from the city. The Island is 5184 ha in extent and rises to 497 m at Mount Cook. It is 11 km at its widest point and there is approximately 40 km of coastline.

Accommodation is on the eastern side of the island at Horseshoe Bay, Arcadia, Nelly Bay and Picnic Bay. Some 2533 ha of the central area and western side of the island are now national park.

Magnetic Island was first discovered by Captain Cook who called it Magnetical Island because he believed that the ores on the island had affected his compass. Cook's concerns seem to have been unjustified as subsequent tests have shown no magnetising qualities in the island's predominantly granite boulders. When Cook passed the island he noted in his journal on 6 June 1770: "This bay which I named Cleveland Bay  appear'd to be about five or six miles in extent every way; the East point I named Cape Cleveland and the West Magnetical Head or Isle as it had much the appearance of an island and the compass would not travis well when near it. They are both tolerable high and so is the Mainland within them and the whole appear'd to have the most ruged, rocky and barest surface of any we have yet seen."

Botanist Joseph Banks put it more succinctly: "Land made in Barren rockcapes; one in particular which we were abreast of in the morn appear'd much like Cape Roxent at noon 3 fires upon it."

The fires that were seen by Banks were undoubtedly those of the local Aborigines. Aborigines were regularly moving from the mainland to the island at this time. They would have come for the excellent supplies of crustaceans (there are a number of shell middens on the island), the fish in the surrounding waters, and a range of animals, fruit and vegetables.

Europeans did not settle on the island until the 1870s. The early settlers were attracted to the island by its peacefulness rather than any economic value it may have had. Magnetic Island became a popular tourist destination in the 1920s well before there were ferry services established.

Access to the island is by a regular ferry service which leaves from Marineworld in Townsville. There is also a barge which transports vehicles to the island and various charter vessels can be arranged in Townsville.

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