Tag Archive for: Townsville

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Epic rail journey to a tropical paradise

Discover North Queensland on a railway adventure

AH, THE peace and tranquillity that comes with travelling by train.

Kicking back in my high-back leather-look seat, letting time pass me by as the scenery rushes past outside – it was an experience I hadn’t had for several years until I embarked on a long-haul journey from Maryborough to North Queensland in July 2023.

Instead of dealing with the usual stress of airports and traffic, this year my annual trip north took me on a slow yet mesmerizing voyage of discovery from Maryborough to Townsville and Tully on the Spirit of Queensland.

What unfolded over the next 10 days was not just stunning vistas and family fun, but also interesting conversations with fellow passengers, making this an unforgettable adventure.

Let me tell you about my recent rail journey to North Queensland.

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Rail Journey - Spirit of Queensland at Tully

The Spirit of Queensland pulls into Tully Railway Station.

A slow yet mesmerising rail journey

Picture this – a long-haul rail journey from Maryborough to Townsville and Tully, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and wildlife. It was a peaceful escape from the daily grind, allowing me to truly relax and take in the beauty around me.

At Townsville, I had something truly exciting waiting for me. My youngest son and his partner had just welcomed the newest addition to our family, little Bryson. The joy of meeting my grandchild was indescribable.

After enjoying lots of baby cuddles and exploring the stunning sights of Townsville, such as the breathtaking vistas from Castle Hill to Magnetic Island, and strolling along the vibrant Strand, it was time for my next adventure.

My other son whisked me off for a 2.5-hour drive north to the charming town of Tully, known for being one of Queensland’s major sugar hotspots and arguably the rainiest spot in Australia.

Life with his wife and kiddies, Riley and Rhys, in the coastal village that’s a half-hour drive from Mission Beach is nothing short of idyllic. Palm-fringed beaches, tropical rainforests, and the magnificent Great Barrier Reef are just a stone’s throw away. It’s paradise.

But, before I take you further, let us go back to the beginning of this epic journey.

Rail Journey - Overlooking Townsville from the top of Castle Hill

Overlooking Townsville from the top of Castle Hill.

Don’t miss out next winter – book your railbed early!

I caught the Queensland Rail bus from Stocklands Shopping Centre in Hervey Bay for a smooth half-hour ride to the Maryborough Transit Centre, where fellow travellers joined us for the next leg of the adventure.

Maryborough, with all its heritage buildings, cultural significance, and industrial history, was my home for 27 years before moving to Hervey Bay in 2019. The city holds a special place in my heart.

Fun fact: Maryborough is the birthplace of P.L. Travers, the author of the classic children’s book and movie Mary Poppins. There’s a touch of magic in the air!

Rail journey - train interior

Economy class is comfortable with high-back leather-look seats and plenty of legroom.

As I waited for the train at Maryborough West Railway Station, the chilly winds were relentless, but the friendly Queensland Rail staff made me feel welcome and guided me to my designated and sheltered spot. At 7.30 pm, the train departed, and I settled into my economy-class seat.

Now, I had grand plans of booking one of those luxurious Railbeds, but alas, they were all booked out. Winter months in Queensland are prime travel time, so you have to plan well ahead.

Instead, I treated myself to a Trtl Travel Pillow. Compact, lightweight, and endorsed by Lonely Planet Magazine, it made the journey feel like first class.

And so, my adventure began. A 14-hour journey lay ahead of me, with the promise of arriving in Townsville at 9.38 am the next day. Well, if you count the Rail Bus leg from Hervey Bay to Maryborough, it’s more like 15.5 hours. But who’s counting when you’re having the time of your life?

Be comfortable in economy with a Trtl Travel Pillow

You’ve probably heard horror stories of being stuck beside an annoying traveller on long-haul journeys. But lucky for me, I have yet to experience such an ordeal, and this trip was no exception.

I was lucky enough to be seated next to an absolute gem of a guy, John Corbett, whom I’ll affectionately call Mr Cyclist. He’s a retired essential service officer who now spends much of his time exploring the world on his bike.

Mr Cyclist was on his way to Townsville with his trusty road bike in the luggage carriage, and planned to pedal back down south along the National Trail, a grand adventure akin to Bill Bryson’s famous A Walk in the Woods.

The National Trail is Australia’s ultimate quest for independent explorers, spanning 5330 kilometres from Cooktown to Healesville. This incredible trail takes adventurers through stock routes, bush tracks, fire trails, and scenic roads along the Great Dividing Range.

For over three decades, the iconic R.M. Williams has lent his name to this extraordinary expedition. Teaming up with the Australian Trail Horse Riders Association, they have brought to life a trail that immerses hikers, horse riders, cyclists, and packers in the rich history of Australia’s stock routes.

Overnight, however, Mr Cyclist attempted to catch some much-needed shut-eye, but his quest for comfort came up short. Like me, a fellow survivor of missed opportunities, he had missed out on a coveted luxurious Railbed booking and settled for economy class.

Little did he know, a Trtl Travel Pillow could have been his saving grace. Instead, he resorted to stretching out on a dining car seat, only to be chipped by a rail staff member for his audacity. Turns out that sleeping in the dining car is against QR’s rules. Oops!

rail travel - man collecting his bike from a train.

John Corbett, aka Mr Cyclist, collects his bike from the baggage area on the Townsville Railway Station platform.

Rise and shine!

As we opened our eyes the next morning, the sun greeted us with a breathtaking show over the mountains near Mackay. We couldn’t help but soak in the beauty while savouring a breakfast of raisin toast and tea in the dining car.

Here’s the plot twist: our train had a bit of a hiccup with the signals during the night, causing it to run behind schedule. But hey, that only added to the adventure! Finally, we arrived in Townsville around 11 am, ready to continue our epic journeys.

All aboard! Family fun on the Innisfail Mini Rail

In Tully, I had a blast with my family. Our adventure started with a quick jaunt to Innisfail, 53 kilometres to the north, where we all took rides on the Innisfail Mini Rail.

This delightful miniature train chugs along every second Sunday of the month at the beautiful 50-ha Warrina Lakes Park. We soaked up the scenery as we zipped past the serene lily-covered lake and ventured through lush pockets of rainforest.

The Innisfail Mini Rail Club, a squad of awesome volunteers, is the brains behind this fantastic train ride that has been entertaining folks since 2017.

Oh, and there was a terrific kids’ playground nearby too!

rail journey - Innisfail Mini Rail

Families enjoy a ride on the Innisfail Mini Rail.

Roll on down to Murdering Point Winery

Despite the ominous name, Murdering Point Winery was anything but scary.

As we adults sipped on top-notch wines, the little ones, Riley and Thomas-the-Tank-Engine-fanatic Rhys, were in awe as a cane train hauling sugar cane rolled right by the entrance.

Founded in 2001 by the Berryman family, Murdering Point Winery has gained a reputation for its exceptional wines and innovative use of exotic tropical fruits.

The winery offers an array of uniquely Australian red and white fruit wines, ports, liqueurs, and creams that transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise.

rail journey - Jodie pours a sample of delicious tropical fruit wine at Murdering Point Winery.

Jody pours a sample of delicious tropical fruit wine at Murdering Point Winery.

Fish & Chips on the Beach with Tully Coast Guard

What’s better than white sand and kids’ playgrounds at Mission Beach? How about enjoying Fish & Chips on the Beach at the Tully Coast Guard’s annual fundraising event with the stunning sunset as the backdrop? It was the perfect finale for my time in Tully for 2023.

rail journey - sunset at Tully

The brilliant finale to my North Queensland visit was the Tully Coast Guard’s Fish & Chips on the Beach with this stunning sunset as the backdrop.

Discover a lush oasis at Tully Railway Station

rail journey - Tully railway station platform

Potted ferns dot the Tully Railway Station.

Too soon, it was time to bid farewell to the family escapade and make my way back to Hervey Bay. At about 11.30 am, I hopped aboard the Spirit of Queensland once more at the charming Tully Railway Station, nestled near the heart of town.

This station had quite the eventful past – it endured some serious water damage thanks to the notorious Cyclone Yasi back in February 2011, but it’s since undergone a refurbishment. You can still spot the remnants of the old station building on the south side, with visible battle scars.

With potted palms and lush hanging ferns dotting the platform, it exudes an enchanting tropical atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot to kick back and wait for the next leg of my adventure. Time flies when you’re surrounded by this blissful oasis.

 

Find a travel buddy on the Spirit of Queensland

On my return journey from Tully to Maryborough, first I had the pleasure of sitting next to Mr Garden Guru, a fascinating chap with long hair, a beard, and a love for faded jeans.

Not only was he a successful garden business owner in Cairns, but he was also a marketing guru who spilt the beans on using artificial intelligence for blogging.

But wait, there’s more! He was also a vegan on the hunt for some fruit in the train’s galley, only to be disappointed. Luckily, he had a stash of lychees in his backpack, which he happily devoured.

When Mr Garden Guru hopped off in Townsville to pick up his new ute and return to Cairns, I was accompanied by my new travel buddy – Mr Entrepreneur.

This former tobacco farmer turned restaurant owner turned garden maintenance enthusiast knew how to make some serious money by mowing grass and trimming shrubs in North Queensland.

He was headed to Brisbane to reunite with his wife, who had arrived a few days earlier.

Together, they were going on a shopping adventure looking for a motorhome, eager to join the ranks of the “grey nomads.”

As for me, my time on the Spirit of Queensland came to an end at Maryborough West at about 7.30 am, and I boarded the Queensland Rail Bus bound for Hervey Bay.

After a total of about 37 hours of rail time (including delays), I left with cherished memories and a renewed appreciation for the magic of rail travel.

North or south? The choice is yours!

Looking for a relaxing way to tour Queensland’s breathtaking coast? Meet the Spirit of Queensland, your ticket to adventure!

rail journey - train at a platform

With regular weekly services, this fabulous train will take you to see friends and family, or let you explore some of Queensland’s most stunning destinations.

Think Whitsundays, Townsville, Cairns, Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Brisbane – the list goes on. And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even connect to the glamorous Gold Coast.

Whether you crave the natural wonders of the north or the dazzling lights of Brisbane, the Spirit of Queensland has got you covered.

It’s a convenient way to travel between Brisbane and Cairns. So why wait? Hop aboard and let the journey begin!


Jocelyn travelled on the Spirit of Queensland at her own cost.
Published 20 July 2023

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If you enjoyed this train-inspired post, you might also enjoy these:

A Croquet-lover’s Guide to Exploring the Wide Bay
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15 Lesser-Known National Parks in Queensland

Unearth new adventures in these amazing national parks

WITH more than 1,000 protected areas across the state, Queensland is bursting with enchanting and soul-nourishing national parks.

But while travellers are familiar with famous favourites like Noosa National Park and Lamington National Park, there’s a treasure trove of hidden gems that are sure to surprise and delight.

Discover these 15 lesser-known and under-the-radar Queensland national parks that are guaranteed to knock your socks (and hiking boots) off!

  • This article may contain affiliate links and advertisements. If you click on these links, make a purchase, or share this content, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us continue creating valuable content for you. Thank you for your support.

1. Blackdown Tableland National Park, Capricorn

A relatively undiscovered sanctuary tucked among the sprawling plains of Central Queensland, Blackdown Tableland National Park has some seriously Instagrammable scenery that’s worth a brag and a tag.

Think sloping sandstone escarpments, echoing gorges, plunging rockpools, and picturesque walking trails.

Visitors to the national park will also find Indigenous rock art on the Mimosa Creek Cultural Trail, sharing stories of the Ghungalu People.

Blackdown Tableland. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland.

2. St Helena Island National Park, Brisbane

Sitting just 5 km off the coast of Queensland’s capital, St Helena Island was once a colonial penal settlement.

From 1867 until 1932 St Helena Island adopted the role of high-security prison and farm, where inmates helped plant crops, took on trades, and constructed buildings, the ruins of which can still be seen today.

Fast forward to 2023 and the island, now a national park, can be explored by day trippers from Brisbane on a River to Bay ‘Best of Moreton Bay’ cruise or a St Helena Island ‘Prison Life’ experience, led by St Helena Theatre Troupe performers.

Aerial view of St Helena Island. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland.

3. Mount Walsh National Park, Bundaberg

Mount Walsh National Park, an 80-minute drive southwest of Bundaberg and Hervey Bay, is a beacon for seasoned bushwalkers and adventurers.

The park is characterised by imposing granite rock formations, creeks that drop into rockpools, and Mount Walsh itself protruding from the bedrock.

For experienced hikers, the 703m Mount Walsh Summit takes four hours to ascend and offers views from the peak across the countryside.

Meanwhile, the grade four Rockpool Walk winds through hoop pine forest before following the creek sprinkled with rockpools.

Rock pools at Mt Walsh Waterfall Creek (Utopia Falls). Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland.

4. Wooroonooran National Park, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Coooeee! If the summit hike of Mount Walsh isn’t challenging enough, a climb to the ‘top of Queensland’ is sure to get the legs pushing and the heart pumping.

Perched 1,622m above sea level, Mount Bartle Frere in Wooroonooran National Park, just south of Cairns, is Queensland’s highest peak.

It takes around six to eight hours to conquer, but the views across the Wet Tropics Rainforest and out to the coast are worth the grind.

Also making this national park a must-visit is the lineup of tumbling waterfalls, freshwater rivers, and lush rainforests that intertwine around the mountain.

National Parks - dawn view from a mountain top

Sunrise from the summit of Queensland’s highest mountain, Mount Bartle Frere. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland.

5. Bunya Mountains National Park, Southern Queensland Country

The Bunya Mountains National Park, just over a three-hour drive from Brisbane, provides an alpine escape perfect for families and romantic getaways.

The mountains are lined with towering bunya pines and the area was once a ceremonial gathering place for a significant Aboriginal festival called the Bonye Bonye festival.

The Bunya Mountains feature more than 100 individual holiday cabins and cottages for rent, ranging from studios to multi-bedroom chalets.

The National Park is home to a large population of wallabies and offers a patchwork of walking trails through the bunya pine forest, including easy waterfall circuits and more intense hikes across the mountainside.

national parks - family on a hike

Walking past a waterfall in the Bunya Mountains National Park. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland.

6. Porcupine Gorge National Park, Outback Queensland

Winding through the arid savannah terrain, Porcupine Gorge National Park is an outback oasis.

Just over an hour’s drive from Hughenden, the waters of Porcupine Creek, surrounded by a green outline of rich vegetation that lines the gorge, pop against the orange and yellow of the Outback plains.

The most spectacular way to appreciate the vast canyon is with Fox Helicopters on a scenic flight to the upper section of the national park not accessible from the ground.

Camping is available at the Pyramid campsite, and there are three marked walking tracks leading hikers to lookouts or down into the gorge.

national parks - outback gorge

Swimming at the Porcupine Gorge National Park. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland.

7. Conway National Park, Whitsundays

Leafy rainforest canopies, secret beaches, and sparkling views across the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef are all packaged up into 75km of refreshing rainforest coastline in Conway National Park.

Lining the peninsula beyond the hustle and bustle of Airlie Beach, Conway National Park packs a punch with waterfalls and swimming holes, uncrowded beaches, stunning lookouts, and a network of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Hit the dirt with Bike & Hike Whitsunday and experience the ancient rainforest in a guided mountain bike tour.

The national park is also home to six rare and threatened species, like the endangered Proserpine Rock Wallaby.

national parks - cycling through a creek bed

Riding through a creek in the rainforest, while on a tour through Conway National Park. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland.

8. Mount Hypipamee National Park, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Mount Hypipamee National Park in Tropical North Queensland has other national parks green with envy thanks to an impressive crater that plunges 58m into the ground.

At the bottom of the volcanic pipe lies a 70m deep lake, coated by an eye-catching lime green blanket of native waterweed.

The crater is thought to have formed after a massive gas explosion ruptured through a crack in the Earth’s surface and looks as if nature dropped a huge bowling ball into molten rock.

The best vantage point to take in this geological wonder is from the viewing platform on the Crater Track walk.

national parks - aerial view of a rock pool

Mt Hypipamee National Park. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland.

9. Girringun National Park, Townsville / Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Home to Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall, Wallaman Falls, Girringun National Park in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is a heavy hitter when it comes to wondrous waterfalls.

While many flock to watch the waterfall and then dissipate into mist at the bottom of the 268m Wallaman Falls, the dramatic Blencoe Falls in the upper section of the national park are just as remarkable , with two levels of waterfall cascading down the gorge.

Closer to the coast, Attie Creek Falls and the Cardwell Spa Pools offer two superb swimming holes.

national parks - waterfall

Wallaman Falls is the highest, permanent, single-drop waterfall in Australia. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland.

10. Eungella National Park, Mackay

The rainforest refuge that is Eungella National Park is one of the most ecologically diverse pockets of rainforest in Australia, with both tropical and sub-tropical species flourishing under the canopy.

Ever wanted to spot an elusive platypus in the wild? Stay quiet long enough and chances are one will pop its head from the surface of Broken River.

A fan of waterfalls? Check out Araluen Waterfall and the Wheel of Fire Cascades in the Finch Hatton Gorge section of Eungella National Park – both popular with locals.

national parks - lady swimming in a rook pool

Lady swimming in a rock pool at Finch Hatton Gorge. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland.

11. Kroombit Tops National Park, Gladstone

For history buffs, the little-known Kroombit Tops National Park, southwest of Gladstone, is a destination with a hint of history mixed with a little bit of mystery.

It is the final resting place of the American Liberator WWII bomber, Beautiful Betsy, which vanished over Queensland in 1945 during a flight from Darwin to Brisbane.

The wreckage lay undiscovered for 49 years until a park ranger stumbled on it in 1994, where it remains as a monument to the servicemen onboard who passed away. Kroombit Tops National Park is also home to the critically endangered Kroombit Tinkerfrog of which there are thought to be fewer than 150 in existence.

B-24D Liberator Bomer, Beautiful Betsy, Kroombit Tops National Park, Gladstone. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

12. Main Range National Park, Brisbane

Main Range National Park stands high and mighty, just a 90-minute drive from Brisbane and lies within the World Heritage Gondwana Rainforest.

While many national parks boast outstanding walking tracks, Main Range National Park takes the cake thanks to the luxe Scenic Rim Trail experience.

The six-day all-inclusive guided trek winds through the Scenic Rim and parts of Main Range National Park. For those wanting to tackle just a section of the trail, shorter walks are available.

national parks - aerial view of mountain range and accommodation

Aerial view of Spicers Peak Lodge, Main Range National Park, Scenic Rim Trail. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland.

13. Chillagoe-Mungo National Park, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Created more than 400 million years ago, the extraordinary limestone rock formations and caves of Chillagoe-Mungo National Park hold important natural and cultural significance.

Ranger-guided tours inside the caves showcase the magnificent hanging stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones that have formed due to dissolving limestone.

The National Park is also home to Aboriginal rock art galleries that can be accessed on various walking trails.

The site was visited by Hollywood heartthrob Zac Efron during the filming of the Netflix series, Down to Earth with Zac Efron.

national parks - family exploring a cave

Family exploring a cave on a ranger-guided Trezkinn Cave Tour at Chillagoe. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland.

14. Conondale National Park, Sunshine Coast

Take a drive over the hinterland range of the Sunshine Coast to find an effervescent swimming hole the locals have been keeping secret for years.

Booloumba Creek in the Conondale National Park takes natural colour palettes to a whole new level as the freshwater creek blends bright turquoise with deep emerald.

There are several camping spots throughout the national park (permit required) and a network of walking trails, of which the Booloumba Falls walk leads to a cascading waterfall and swimming spot.

National parks - huge tree trunk

Figtree Walk, Conondale National Park, Sunshine Coast. Photo: Janelle Lugge/Shutterstock.

15. Paluma Range National Park, Townsville

Paluma Range National Park sits in the mountain range north of Townsville and is considered the southern entrance to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

The traditional owners of the Paluma Ranges are the Nywaigi Aboriginal People, and the Indigenous name for the area is Munan Gumburu, meaning ‘misty mountain’, an appropriate name given the area is often blanketed in a soft cloud of mist.

Take some time to explore this national park by staying overnight at Hidden Valley Cabins.

Walkers and hikers can hit various hiking trails through the rainforest to streams and waterfalls, while peddlers looking to push the limits can enter the Paluma Push, an action-packed event combining the thrill of mountain bike racing with a vibrant festival atmosphere.

national parks - woman sitting beside a waterfall

Small Crystal Creek, Paluma Range National Park. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland.

Other notable lesser-known national parks:

Log onto queensland.com and start planning your next Queensland national park adventure today.

Content submitted by Tourism and Events Queensland.

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You, me and Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island: The best wedding anniversary pressie ever!

By Brian Pickering and Kaye Browne

IT’S funny how people perceive other people’s lives.  Take, for example, the reaction when we messaged a few friends and family we were about to take a short break.

The replies were swift… “What! You’re going on a ‘holiday’?… But we thought you WERE already on holiday… a permanent one!!!”… accompanied by classic exasperation emojis.  Very funny.

But despite being ‘on the road’ for the past three years in our 20ft New Age caravan, (and loving it!) sometimes you just need to take a break from the everyday routines we all endure, whether travelling or in a house!  Plus, our imminent wedding anniversary was all the excuse we needed to ‘Getaway’.

As it happens, we feel very much at home here in Hervey Bay, just north of Maryborough in Queensland, so much so we’ve stayed here, with occasional trips north to Bundaberg and south to the Gold Coast and Brisbane to visit friends for some house-sitting, for just on two years.

Time flies when you’re having fun, and we love the vibe of the place and have made many new friends – in fact, we’ve met and socialised more in ‘The Bay’ than we ever did living in Sydney for two decades.

Like everyone else, our travel plans were impacted when COVID-19 hit – but luckily, working online means we can do what we do anywhere there’s enough Internet coverage.  We now call ourselves ‘Slow-Mads’!

So why a road trip to Magnetic Island just off the coast from Townsville in far North Queensland?

Why not, especially as Brian’s parents used to holiday there when his father was stationed with the Navy during WWII in Townsville and the pair used to regularly have romantic weekends on ‘Maggie’ when he had days off.

It didn’t take long to decide it would be fun to visit the place they loved so much for our wedding anniversary, especially as friends Col and Jenni regularly holiday there and raved about it.

  • This article may contain affiliate links and advertisements. If you click on these links, make a purchase, or share this content, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us continue creating valuable content for you. Thank you for your support.
Magnetic Island - palm trees

DESTINATION MAGGIE: Magnetic Island, North Queensland.

Fly or drive? Fly or drive?

In round figures, the cost to fly from Hervey Bay to Townsville (via Brisbane, four hours south of Hervey Bay) is around $1,200 per person!! We reasoned flying would mean lots of airline departure lounges, buses, and taxis, and miss the changing scenery below.

Sure, you might arrive the same day, but what’s the rush?

So we made the decision to drive. Ok, so it’s roughly a 12–14-hour road trip, but the stopover points we planned in advance made it all well worthwhile.

Trip planning

It goes without saying Australia is a BIG place!… So it’s important to plan ahead.

The mantra… ‘Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance’ comes from our previous work in mainstream media, but it also means it’s worth the effort to spend some time planning, which hopefully relieves you of any headaches and worries during your trip, knowing everything has been ‘locked in’.

With so many people now ‘hitting the road’ post-COVID lockdowns, it’s important to make sure you book ahead for accommodation that suits you!… unless of course you have a small camper-trailer and are happy to ‘free-camp’ along the way.

Kaye wanted to see some of the less well-known beachside towns en route, so some of the names mentioned below possibly won’t be at all familiar.

Each location has a separate link to the accommodation, plus a short update of where we stayed and what we thought of each place.

Important safety factor!

While two people can usually share the driving, it’s always a good idea not to do much more than three to four hours a day in total, and less is even safer.

This is due to the ‘fatigue’ factor, and we saw the results of several ‘prangs’ and even a large truck and trailer which had, unfortunately, slid off the road even though the road was dry at the time.

Plus driving can get pretty boring cos only the passenger gets to see left and right while the driver has to focus on the road ahead!.. That’s why we made this trip of about 1,200 k/ms (14.5 hours driving) over four days.

We’ll have more detailed updates on each location down the track! Meanwhile, with our ferry booked to the island on a Saturday, we left Hervey Bay on the Tuesday prior.

Hitting the road

Tues – From Hervey Bay 2hrs 42mins (226kms) to…

1. Miriam Vale Hotel

9 Blomfield St, Miriam Vale QLD 4677
We did a podcast with pictures a while back when we stayed at this lovely old hotel with heaps of history.
Check out the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TXcwCPW5CU

Originally, we ‘free-camped’ in our caravan out the back as we still had our little dog Chica. This time we stayed in a lovely self-contained cabin. Mitch, the owner, has upgraded and expanded the hotel over the past two years, and the food, staff, and amenities are excellent. The town, although very small, has a lot of charm and history.

Magnetic Island - Hotel

Miriam Vale Hotel.

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Wed – From Miriam Vale 2hrs 32mins (213kms) to…

2. Yeppoon Beachhouse

58 Farnborough Rd Yeppoon QLD 4703
http://www.yeppoonbeachhouse.com.au/

This was a very pleasant surprise. We’ve never actually stayed in a backpackers’ hotel, our verdict? Excellent!

We could see the beach and hear the waves crashing overnight but best of all it was super clean, with the shared kitchens (one downstairs one upstairs) and facilities constantly monitored and cleaned by very friendly owners and staff who were amazingly helpful… Price for a single room with Queen size bed, etc (as opposed to a shared dormitory style) was very good too and while backpackers tend to be ‘party animals’ it was surprisingly quiet while we were there.

Yeppoon itself is another hidden jewel in our view.

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Thurs – From Yeppoon 3hrs 43mins (340kms) to…

3. Sarina Beach Motel & Restaurant

44 Owen Jenkins Dr, Sarina Beach QLD 4737
https://sarinabeachmotel.com.au/
Well, this is where we celebrated our Wedding Anniversary! – A LOVELY location right on the beach. Plus, they have an amazing restaurant – ‘The Palms’ – with excellent food, etc…

Sarina township itself is a bit ‘old/quaint’, about 10 minutes away from the beach where we stayed,d but friendly to tourists.

We liked Sarina Beach and its very comfortable bed #Unit 18 so much we re-booked for two nights on our way back south which is when we also managed to have a chat with the co-owner, Meaghan Thompson to find out what’s kept her, her husband and (now) five kids here for the past 14 years!

You can listen to the podcast or read a full transcript here: https://foodwinepetstravel.com/travel/169-podcast-the-serenity-of-sarina-beach-meaghan-thompson

Magnetic Island Road Trip - Hotel

Sarina Beach Motel.

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Fri – From Sarina 4hrs 10mins (354kms) to…

4. Alva Beach Tourist Park (Ayr)

20-36 Braby St, Alva QLD 4807
https://www.alvabeachtouristpark.com.au/

This was our longest drive, with both of us sharing every hour and a half, and while not our favourite stopover, we were very impressed with the owners/caretakers of this park who were VERY accommodating, allowing us to upgrade from what we had originally booked online (old tiny cabin room only)  to a really nice self-contained 2 bedroom ‘tiny-home’.

Best of all, they had been given boxes of fresh, locally grown fruit and veg and generously invited us to help ourselves.  A wonderful surprise, and we’re still talking about the yummy vegetarian meal which resulted.

Magnetic Island Road Trip - Alva Beach

Alva Beach at Ayr.

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Sat – From Alva/Ayr 1hr 19mins (103kms) to…

5. Ferry to Magnetic Island

An easy drive to Townsville, where we eventually found the local Woolworths and stocked up on some basic ‘goodies’ so we could avoid having to eat out for every meal every day. We’d been warned that food and drinks are generally higher on the island because of transport costs, but we later discovered they’re not that bad.

There are several options to get to Maggie.  Passengers can get a speedy catamaran, which gets you there in 20 minutes.   The car ferry takes about 40 minutes, and although you can get out of your car and use the onboard café, we chose to stay there, windows down, enjoying the sea breeze!

Cost? Well, the advertised cost for a return trip WITH your own car is around $220.
However, booking through Defence Holidays NQ – http://www.defenceholidaysnq.com.au, we were able to get a reasonable discount. They can also offer discounts on local accommodation bookings so worthwhile checking them out!

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Sat – 1 pm ferry From Townsville to…

6. Island Leisure Resort

6 Kelly St Nelly Bay Magnetic Island
http://www.islandleisure.com.au/
Just 1.5 km from the ferry wharf and 100 metres from the water in Nelly Bay, the resort has beautiful high-ceilinged self-contained rooms.

There’s a large swimming pool, barbecue area, plus a family room for kids with a pool table, books, videos, and more, and also a laundry with coin-operated machines.

Island Leisure Resort is a great place recommended to us by our friends Col and Jenni we mentioned earlier who’ve stayed there several times after visiting family in Townsville.

It’s a popular option because we wanted seven to 10 days, but could only get four days

So, Defence Holidays came to the rescue and helped us organise another location – Details below.

Magnetic Island Road Trip - Resort

Island Leisure Resort, Magnetic Island.

7. Canopy Chalet 4

42 Yates St Nelly Bay Magnetic Island – just around the corner from our stay above!
https://www.bestofmagnetic.com/magnetic-island-accommodation/canopy-chalet-4

This was another surprise – A very ‘eclectic’ design of about 12 cabins surrounding a large swimming pool, but it was lovely, airy, and had everything you’d need for a great holiday and still within walking distance of the beach – well, pretty much everywhere on the island is within walking distance!

A magnificent Magnetic Island Banyan Tree.

Kaye checks out the Sunday Markets.

Restaurants

It was also right next door to one of the many great restaurants on the island; ‘Thai Again’, which Col and Jenni had recommended – and they were right – the food was delicious.  We also got to chatting with the couple sitting next to us – long-time locals who live on the island, and as it turns out – we’d spotted their stall ‘Hooked On Maggie’ at the Sunday weekly markets at Horseshoe Bay.

Magnetic Island Road Trip - Restaurant

Brian enjoys a glass of red wine at Thai-Again.

What can you do on Magnetic Island?

In a word… PLENTY! – In fact, we wish we’d had more than 10 days there. Such an amazing vibe about it.

They say there are 23 beaches on Maggie some of which can only be reached by boat so we didn’t get to see them all this visit – but we gave it a red hot go.

There are snorkelling trails and beaches with gentle waves perfect for kids. The Backpackers Base hotel and accommodation was chockers with young foreigners making the most of the reopened international borders.

One of the highlights of our visit was the Moulin Rogue show at the Stage Door Theatre Restaurant… we can vouch for the idea that it’s a ‘slice of Vegas in the tropics’!

Basically, ‘Moulin Rogue’ is a tongue-in-cheek send-up of the classic ‘Moulin Rouge’ cabaret, which started way back in 1889 in Paris, Franc,e but this performance relied on two key performers who are locals, and they were brilliant, a great sound, and some audience participation.

And the food was great too because when you book, they ask if you have any dietary requirements, and they cater to everyone.

Again, we got chatting with the couple next to us. (Their story another time).

You can read our full story here, along with a video compilation of the night we went!
https://foodwinepetstravel.com/travel/170-video-blog-the-moulin-rogue-magnetic-island

Summary

Now you might think… “WOW!… How much did all that cost, and was it worth it?”

Well… cost is relative, of course. You might go on an ocean cruise for a few days to a week and spend $8-10k. But after going through all our expenses – Fuel, food, accommodation, etc, in round figures, it was a little over $4,000.00 for our three-week holiday.

So was it worth it?… You bet! Will we do it again? Absolutely, but if we went back to Magnetic Island from Hervey Bay, where we are now or (say from Brisbane or Bundaberg) for a short break, we would probably catch an overnight train and then rent a car in Townsville or on the island.

Estimated savings for the next visit would be about $400+ on fuel and several hundred in additional accommodation there and back.

Still, the sightseeing aspect of the drive was well worth it plus supporting local businesses, etc, and best of all, there are so many accommodation options in all price categories you do NOT need a caravan or camper trailer to do it, although if that’s your preference there are plenty of caravan parks and free-camps on the way.

Magnetic Island/Maggie?… We’ll be back!

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