A52 SQUARE KILOMETRE ISLAND, JUST 20minutes off Townsville in Far North Queensland and with not much more than 30km of paved roads … hardly an ideal cycling destination? But for those looking for a tropical island escape that harbours some surprising cycling secrets, Magnetic Island just may be the holiday option you’ve been dreaming of.
Some 1700km north of Sydney and 19 degrees south of the equator, ‘Maggie’ as it’s affectionally referred to by the locals is considered a suburb of Townsville, the unofficial capital of the Far North.
Getting there from just about all mainland capitals is surprisingly simple. Just fly to Townsville, get a transfer (minibus or taxi for around $20) to the ferry terminal on the Townsville Breakwater, then catch one of the regular ferries (up to 20 services a day between 0530 and 2230) to Nelly Bay.
