Magnetic Island Sunset Locations You Shouldn't Miss

Magnetic Island Sunset Locations You Shouldn't Miss

A quick guide to the best sunset spots on Magnetic Island off Townsville, Queensland. Find out where to enjoy the best sundowners in this epic little island paradise!

Magnetic Island is just a short boat ride from Townsville and offers tropical island sunsets. But where are the best sunset spots on Magnetic Island? In this guide, I'll highlight the best places to end your day on Magnetic Island.

I've also written a comprehensive guide to the best things to do on Magnetic Island, so check that out too for more inspiration!
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First: How to get to Magnetic Island

Getting to Magnetic Island is as easy as a 40-minute ferry ride from Townsville.

The best ferry company is SeaLink, which operates ferries from Townsville to Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal on Magnetic Island approximately every hour.

The cheapest SeaLink ticket can be booked online in advance at GetYourGuide, which gives you a scannable QR code to use on your phone when boarding.

The cost of a round-trip trip to Magnetic Island on SeaLink is $34 per adult, with several discount options also available.
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Magnetic Island Sunset Locations

I'm sure the sunset will be epic anywhere on Magnetic Island. However, if you are looking for the best places to take sunset snapshots on Magnetic Island, consider the following locations.

Horseshoe Bay

Located at the northern end of Magnetic Island, Horseshoe Bay is the island's hotspot for jet skiing and kayaking. It is also one of the best places on the island to catch the sunset.

In the drier months, the sun sets right next to the western headland, casting its colors and light across the bay. There are also usually lots of sailboats passing through, making for epic pictures.
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The Magnetic Island wreck lookout in Cockle Bay

An epic viewpoint on the south side of Magnetic Island is a secret local lookout known as Sail Rock.

From here the sun will set over the island and light up the sky around the bays. The best thing about this sunset spot is that you will most likely have it to yourself.

This location is located on a hill overlooking Cockle Bay and Picnic Bay. You can even see the famous wreck of the SS City of Adelaide in the distance, a great place to witness the magical sunset on Magnetic Island.

How to get here: Magnetic Island Wreck and where to find it

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The Forts

The forts are one of the most popular hikes or bushwalks on Magnetic Island, but for good reason.

The walk begins at the fort car park on Horshoe Bay Road. Then we continue up the mountain to some historic fortifications from the Second World War.

There are many places to stop and watch the sunset over the bays. However, my personal favorite sunset spot on Magnetic Island is on the upper fort. This will reward you with 360 degree panoramic views across the island and you can perfectly watch the sunset behind the headland at Horseshoe Bay.

Keep an eye out for wild koalas as you walk, as the Forts Walk is one of the best places to spot them in Queensland.

Read more: The Forts Track – Koalas on Magnetic Island

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Radical Bay

If you're looking for a more secluded bay to watch the tropical island sunsets on the water, then Radical Bay would be a great option.

Radical Bay is a short walk from Horseshoe Bay following a 20-minute path from the east side of the beach.

Another alternative near Radical Bay is Balding Bay. However, remember that this is a nude beach, so it's probably best not to bring a camera.

If you are wondering how to get to Radical Bay and surrounding bays, you can read the full blog post below.

Read more: How to get to Florence Bay and surrounding hikes on Magnetic Island

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When is sunset on Magnetic Island?

The answer is that it varies depending on the season.

During the wetter summer months, the sun typically rises at 5:30 a.m. and sets at 6:30 p.m. During the busier winter months, also known as the dry season, the sun rises at 6:40 a.m. and sets at 5:30 p.m.

To get accurate sunset and sunrise times on Magnetic Island, check out the WillyWeather forecast.
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Overnight accommodation on Magnetic Island

Below I have summarized the three best places to stay on Magnetic Island for different budgets. The links lead to Booking.com, which I personally always use to book the best deals on accommodation.

• Übernachten Sie im Koala Sanctuary: Bungalow Bay Koala Village – Dieses Hostel ist eine der am besten bewerteten günstigen Unterkünfte auf Magnetic Island. Es hat einen guten Chill-Out-Bereich, einen Pool und natürlich die Koalas vor Ort.
• Bestes Hostel mit Aussicht: Base Backpackers – Base Backpackers ist ein Synonym für preisgünstiges Reisen in Australien. Dieses Hostel bietet Mehrbettzimmer für unter 35 $ pro Nacht. Die Zimmer sind eigentlich kleine Hütten und blicken auf das Riff direkt am Wasser in Nelly Bay.
• Bestes Gästehaus für Paare: CStay in Picnic Bay – Eine der preisgünstigsten Unterkunftsmöglichkeiten für Paare ist Cstays in Picnic Bay. Es gibt mehrere Doppelzimmer für weniger als 65 $ pro Nacht.

More adventures on Maggie and Queensland

I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to finding the best sunset spots on Magnetic Island. While you're here, why not check out some of my other adventure and travel guides around Queensland? Below are a few to get you started!

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