Nelly Bay Trip Overview
A mature and highly-regarded local guide will provide friendly, entertaining commentary on hundreds of topics covering birds and wildlife, trees, geology, history and folklore on your 5 hour tour of the scenic roads and byways of the beautiful Magnetic Island. Departing Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal you’ll visit all the major sights, including one or two secret spots some locals don’t even know about. We finish with an hours free time in Horseshoe bay for lunch you. You can choose to remain in Horseshoe Bay and make your own way back or take our tour bus back to the Ferry Terminal.
Additional Info
Duration: 5 hours
Starts: Nelly Bay, Australia
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Nelly Bay Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Nelly Bay, Queensland, Australia
A mature and highly-regarded local guide will provide friendly, entertaining commentary on hundreds of topics covering birds and wildlife, trees, geology, history and folklore on your 5 hour tour of the scenic roads and byways of the beautiful Magnetic Island. Departing Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal you’ll visit all the major sights, including one or two secret spots some locals don’t even know about. We finish with an hours free time in Horseshoe bay for lunch you. You can choose to remain in Horseshoe Bay and make your own way back or take our tour bus back to the Ferry Terminal.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Magnetic Island Marina, 123 Sooning St, Nelly Bay QLD 4819, Australia
After boarding the bus at Nelly Bay terminal you will meet your friendly local guide who will escort you throughout the day. Our guides are all locals, with a depth of knowledge about life on the island.
After a brief introduction you will make your way through Nelly Bay to the western side of the island. On the way you’ll get some background facts on the island and an introduction to the geography and fauna.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Magnetic Island History and Craft Centre, 15/11 Granite St, Picnic Bay QLD 4819, Australia
Closed Tuesdays and between Australia Day to Easter.
Set in the heritage listed Picnic Bay School and historic Butler Hut, the centre operates a museum and sells locally made craft and historical publications. The museum shows island history through permanent displays and varying annual exhibitions.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Picnic Bay Jetty, Picnic Bay QLD 4819, Australia
Optional stop where we will discover its story and how it was saved from demolition, and take in the beautiful surrounds
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Magnetic Island Marina, 123 Sooning St, Nelly Bay QLD 4819, Australia
Leaving the early settlers behind we retrace our steps back to Nelly Bay where there will be an opportunity for a short toilet and coffee break. Afterwards, the bus will make its way over Arcadia hill where you will be rewarded with stunning views across Cleveland Bay towards the Coral sea
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Geoffrey Bay, Magnetic Island, Queensland Australia
No visit to the Maggie would be complete without a stop at Geoffrey Bay to see if you can find some of our extremely cute Allied Rock Wallabies. These wallabies are found only in Northern Queensland between Townsville and the Burdekin River.
Geoffrey Bay is also an opportunity to get out of the bus and get up close and personal with our incredible rock formations.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Horseshoe Bay Beach, 1 Pacific Dr, Horseshoe Bay QLD 4819, Australia
Climbing the long steep hill towards Horseshoe Bay you will get some breathtaking views across the island. You will then head down the other side into the old farming precinct before we stop for an hour’s free time in Horseshoe Bay where a variety of food is available.
During the winter when the butterflies are around we will definitely visit the Butterfly forest for a short bush walk. Its an experience not to be missed and great balm for the soul.
Horseshoe Bay also offers year round swimming with a safe swimming enclosure in place during the summer months. An excellent place to cool off if you bring your swimmers.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Aquasearch, 6-10 Elena St Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island, Queensland 4819 Australia
After lunch you will return to the Ferry, giving you the chance to catch those incredible views once more. This time though we will head through the back of Arcadia, along pretty Hayles avenue with a short stop at Aquasearch Aquarium ($3 entry fee, cash only) where we will try and find Nemo and Dory and chat about our Giant Clams, before heading back to the Ferry Terminal in time to meet the 3pm depature to Townsville.
Duration: 20 minutes
