North-East Coastal Walk (14km)

The north-east coastal walk on Magnetic Island offers a quieter, more immersive way to experience the island’s striking landscapes and hidden beaches. As the only walking track providing access to the coastal sections of Magnetic Island National Park, it gives you a rare opportunity to explore areas not reached by road. The path winds through a variety of natural environments, from sunlit woodlands to rugged granite slopes and pockets of rainforest tucked into the gullies.

As you move through the open acacia and eucalypt woodlands on the island’s rocky hills, take a moment to look closely at the terrain. The granite boulders, weathered by time and often massive in scale, shelter shady vine forests that thrive in their crevices. Further along, the trail flattens out onto sandy sections where endangered beach scrub clings to life, a reminder of the fragile ecosystems tucked between the land and sea. Coastal forests line the headlands, where tall hoop pines rise above the landscape, their slender trunks and whorled branches a distinctive feature of the island’s skyline.

The walk leads to a string of secluded bays, perfect for resting in the shade or cooling off in the clear tropical water. Arthur Bay and Florence Bay are especially inviting, not only for their quiet beaches but for the chance to snorkel directly from the shore. The fringing reef here is home to a range of marine life, and it’s not unusual to find yourself swimming alongside sea turtles or watching schools of fish weaving through coral and seaweed. If you plan to snorkel, take care to swim safely, particularly in areas without lifeguard presence or stinger nets.

For those who enjoy photography or simply soaking up a good view, the Arthur Bay lookout offers a sweeping perspective of the bay, the granite headland and the line where the forest meets the sea. Just beyond this point, you’ll come across the old Searchlight Tower, one of several wartime relics found around the island. Set atop a giant boulder, the concrete structure once held a searchlight used during World War II. Today, it functions as a viewing point, giving you a wide outlook over Cleveland Bay and a quiet moment to reflect on the island’s layered history.