Hiking

The most rewarding hiking I have seen. Not only do you get a scenic walk but natures flora visits you along the way. On a bad day on the forts walk you might not see a koala in its natural environment.
This is the tip of the proverbial iceberg, so many Bays and sites, many that have been seen by only very few enthusiasts, and still some undiscovered corners for the truly adventurous.

Share your experiences and ask to share others amazing times.

Don't ask about the pirate treasure though, feel free to Google it though :)

Land based fishing that does not cost you heaps, but get you fish and fun

So many great alternatives to actually catch fish. You can give your family a thrill just from catching a fish, or for the more serious, catch some serious fish without spending a fortune and bringing home a fish feast. More importantly, have a great day out .

Fun Fishing spots with easy access.

If you do not plan on bringing your own rods and reels keep in mind that there are a number of spots that a hand line will do the job just fine. So if you want to pack a small fishing kit into your luggage that should provide all you need.

Fish and Fuel provides a comprehensive choice of bait and tackle supply and also has rod hire if you have not brought any fishing gear with you.

Keep in mind however that for a number of the spots available, a simple hand line will provide a lot of fun

All of the local stores sell good bait, though all vary from time to time.

 While Fish and Fuel is the most reliable and consistent, I got some great Pilchards from IGA Horseshoe Bay and IGA Nelly Bay and some excellent prawns from IGA Horseshoe Bay, so do not presume that you have to go to a Fishing shop for good bait.

That being said, as I mentioned Fish and Fuel is very consistent and can give you great honest advice about what you will need and what is running at any particular point in time.

I would strongly recommend any keen fishers drop in and say hello to them, Cam in particular.

Picnic Bay: located here is the Picnic Bay jetty, which provides some of the best fishing available from any jetty in Australia. Currently the end of the jetty is still under renovation but there is plenty of great fishing to be had along the length of the jetty.

Hand lines can be very successfully used along here and Pilchards and Prawns are always popular.

 

Nelly Bay: Some great options here also. For relaxed fishing there are a number of pontoons which are located inside the mariner on the western end.  The more commonly used pontoon is accessed from the breakwater. Also fishing off the ocean side of the break water can be very rewarding; there is a great little spot just to the right at the far end of the car park on the break water. Look for a concrete culvert that protrudes through the rock wall, this provides a great platform to fish from, though unless you are an experienced hand line caster, rods would be much better suited to this spot.

Same baits as mentioned previously but also working some lures, particularly along the breakwater walls, can be very rewarding.

On the right tides or particularly when the creek is running the top of the mariner (where Gustav creek runs in can produce some fantastic results.

Working the beach the area where the tide runs under the bridge from the mariner can also be worth ago but can be patchy.

 

Horseshoe Bay: This is a big bay and while it can be very inconsistent it can also be very rewarding.

Main areas are west side of the boat ramp, also off and around the boat ramp when it is not busy.

Also the eastern end of the bay is often worth a go at the right time. With the exception of the ramp, a beach rod or a good casting rod is required.

Another worthwhile task for the more skilled fisher is working some lures outside the shark nets around the swimming enclosure, but keep in mind you can easily lose your lure to the net if you do not cast accurately.

The main advantage with all these spots, if you do not have a vehicle, is that at least one of the areas can be easily accessed from your accommodation except if you are in Arcadia Bay.

In addition a simple bus trip will quickly get you to any of these spots.

For those that have a vehicle that can take on a more challenging road (suggest 4WD in the wet season or after big rain) there is one of the best fishing areas anywhere to be found:

 

West Point: This is located, as the name implies, at the western tip of the Island. The road there is a fairly narrow dirt road that is in various conditions at different times of the year depending on weather events. Basically follow to the end of the road and set up on the beach, you will see signs of where people have been fishing from the small fire place sites that are around. This is again another area where a good casting rod is strongly recommended unless again you are an pro hand line caster. Here Pilchards will get you some good results.

The spot goes off particularly around Dusk and can be brilliant when a turning tide coincides with sunset.

I will mention that you get some fantastic sunsets here, so you can incorporate a bit of site seeing into your trip.

In addition a number of the points fish well for those who like a bit of bush and rock hiking.

Be sure to familiarise yourself with the fishing zones, staying well clear of the Green zones and complying with the regulations for the allowable zones.

Baits: Obviously the best baits are live baits. If you happen to have use of a cast net you will get some good bait using this particularly casting in the right areas. I am happy to mention some I know if the interest is there.

While drag nets are legal and can be used on the Island, there use tends not to be appreciated as they do tend to disrupt the sea bed substantially more.

My order of preference for frozen bait is 1.Pilchards 2.Prawns 3.Squid, also crabs, worms etc. can fish well on occasion. Lures can be great particularly along rock walls or in the mariner generally at the right times.

Always be aware of stinger season when contemplating wading into the water, while there is no need to be phobic about stingers, some degree of caution is wise.

The locals are always more than happy to assist in ensuring you get the best enjoyment from the Island and take great pride in sharing its many features with those that have taken the time to visit.

As I mentioned, these are starting points and I look forward to expanding on this as the interest arises.

How to potentially best get there from Australia internally

So many options, but only a few good ones.
 For us it has always been Virgin, best value best service. 10 min taxi or ConX depending on timing. The Ferry is very regular and stays to the timetable. There is also a car ferry which is great value for many more about that later. This is just a starter and want people to share their trips and thoughts

Magnetic island - Anchor

Hi,
I am Sean, my family and I love this Island and the Island seems to have loved us back, so I/we are off to a good start.
I would like to provide an outsiders view of how to best enjoy all this magical place and gain the best value should you be fortunate enough to visit.
This is my blog about Magnetic Island.  In it I will tell you all you need to know about this amazing place and answer any questions that you might have about this unique destination.
This is all about trying to ensure you have the best experience and become a Maggie fan, please just ask and enjoy .

 

 

 

 

Sean Lally
April 2014