Arcadia Australia

Free Excursion Weekend

Magnetic Island, Townsville, North Queensland

There's something that pulls you on this idyllic tropical island and it's more than just it's name.  There's an abundance of palm trees, golden sands and rocks to frolic over.  Leaving the mainland seems like stepping back in time to a foregone era where things were less hectic and more relaxed.  The people who call this place home seem to have a way about them - a calmness - the air is fresher and the symphonic wake up calls of the birds makes you wonder how anyone sleeps in.  There were kookaburra's and rainbow lorrikeets on our balcony at breakfast and even a pied currawong who tried to throw his weight around and steal the last of last's nights leftover snags from the BBQ.

It's not Maggie (as it's known by locals) without seeing a koala in the wild and we were lucky enough to stumble across the local wild life carer releasing an adolescent back into the bush - he was quite vocal and put on a show for our study abroad students.  The snorkeling was serene and beautiful especially as we had learned about the intricacies of the nature of this ecosystem from the local clam scientist who took us on a personal tour through his museum.  He was quite the character. 

Magic moments included morning kayaks at sunrise and star gazing in the evening.  Lookouts over the giant boulders and learning about the historical significance of the forts and the folk who had lived here. It's such a short distance from Townsville but a whole world away, Maggie is a feast for the eyes and a delight for the senses.