VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE PICNIC BAY

Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks is one of the oldest running operations on the east coast established in 1993. Its owner Steve is an Australian Canoeing Advanced Level 3 sea kayak Guide, Instructor & Assessor who has been kayaking for 35 years, teaching and guiding around the world for over 25 years.

They operate the regions first and the islands only Advanced Ecotourism Certified tour with the emphasis on viewing nature in the wild, to take only photos and leave only footprints while discovering Magnetic Island’s National and Marine Parks and are committed to climate change.

In 2001, the museum opened its doors to the public after a year of extensive refurbishment. With Commonwealth Centenary of Federation funding, the resulting 'ship complex' has attracted a great deal of community support. Located on the southern bank of Ross Creek, the boardwalk overlooks the Townsville motorboat and yacht club, while the entrance gate opens out onto Palmer Street's inviting coffee and restaurant strip.

The original museum was begun by the Seafarers Association to ensure the safe keeping of local maritime cultural history. It was located in the Pier Master's office between berths 4 and 6 at the Townsville port.

To allow for the expanding collection and ease of public access, in 1992 the building was picked up, loaded onto a house-moving trailer and driven down the road to where is standstoday. This was made possible through the generosity of the community and the Port of Townsville, who remain the museum's major sponsors.

Following the arrival of the Bay Rock lighthouse a short time laterm the new 'Seafarers' Gallery was opened in 1994. The museums continues to grow.

The new complex opened in August 2001 and has attracted many local, regional and international visitors.

Stage Door Theatre Restaurant is just about to open it's brand new show 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'.

With 20 years experience in the entertainment industry as singers and comedians Bernadette and Phill wow their audiences with beautiful live singing, hilarious tongue in cheek impersonations, very funny word changes, dazzling costumes and huge orchestral backing tracks.

The fabulous entertainment is not the only thing to write home about at Stage Door. Not content to just star on stage, Phill (who has owned a number of successful restaurants and cafes in Sydney and Coffs Harbour) is also Executive Chef. Together with local Chef Chrissy they create and produce delicious three course meals of the highest quality that co-star beautifully with the excellent service and high class entertainment.

The Army Museum of North Queensland is located within Jezzine Barracks, at Kissing Point in Townsville. The Museum collects and exhibits memorabilia associated with past and current Army units and personnel from North Queensland, including a geographic area between Rockhampton in the south, extending north to Torres Strait and west to the Northern Territory border.

The history of the Museum dates back to 1979, where the North Queensland Military Museum committee of management approached the Townsville Harbour Board with a request to obtain several door and lintel frames from the Magazine Island Battery. The Harbour board agreed and the items were incorporated into the reconstruction of 1980.

This allowed Fort Kissing Point to open as the North Queensland Military Museum until the 1st of August 2008, when it was closed for further restoration. Following the closure of the original Museum at the Kissing Point Forts and the handover of a majority of Jezzine Barracks to the Jezzine Barracks Community Trust, the retained Defence land within Jezzine Barracks underwent a significant period of refurbishment. North Queensland Military Museum, was renamed the Army Museum of North Queensland and relocated to its current premises in 2009.

Jezzine Barracks has been the home to Australian Army units for over 120 years and is now a fitting home to showcase the Museum and its extensive Collection of the history of the Army in North Queensland.

The Collections extends from the establishment of the first defences at Townsville and Thursday Island until the present day. The Museum is in the newly refurbished building at the centre of Jezzine Barracks. Showcased within the Museum is a gallery displaying pre-federation Army and a gallery showing more recent conflicts of Vietnam and Korea, and the history of Sir John Lavarack and Lavarack Barracks.

The earliest history of the Army in North Queensland can be traced back to the early 1880’s when volunteer independent Rifle Companies were formed at Charters Towers, Townsville, Bowen, Cairns, Cooktown, Hughenden, Ingham, Mackay Thursday Island and Ravenswood. On October 30"' 1886, the 3rd Queensland or Kennedy Regiment was gazetted, based at Kissing Point Townsville with Major William Slade Vincent as its first commanding officer.

Queens Gardens are one of three botanical gardens of Townsville, Queensland. Queens Gardens are located in the suburb of North Ward, at the base of Castle Hill, near to both the city centre and The Strand beachside park. They have been called Townsville's finest park. The park covers over four hectares. The garden is divided into quadrants, each with a central fountain. Special areas include a formal rose garden, the Herb Society's garden, the annuals garden beds, the 2 small hedge mazes, a rainforest walk and the black bean (also known as Moreton Bay chestnuts) avenue. There is also a small aviary featuring peacocks, lorikeets and sulfur-crested cockatoos.

The Townsville Tennis Centre, North Ward is the largest and most modern tennis centre in North Queensland. It is located only five minutes from Central Business District and 10 minutes from Townsville airport. The centre has 12 plexipave tennis courts and all are lit for night play. The centre has also a clubhouse, a bar and barbecue facilities. It caters for corporate social functions, public court hire, coaching of juniors and adults. At the centre a comprehensive junior development program is conducted as well as night fixtures and daytime ladies fixtures and premier league. Public is most welcome.

Gallery 48 is located in unit 2 at 48 The Strand, Townsville. It is run by artists for artists.

We exhibit regular exhibitions featuring mainly local artists. Artists are invited from other regions from time to time.

The Drill Hall Studio is situated in a striking Colonial era former Military Drill Hall, built in 1905. One of only two pre-Federation military Drill Halls left in Queensland, The Drill Hall studio is Townsville’s newest art centre featuring a sculpture garden, exhibition space, working artist studios as well as retail art,  hand made gifts, accessories for you and your home, unique decor, art  jewellery and designer clothing.

Our aim is to make art accessible for everyone, with a friendly, creative atmosphere and a gallery that’s warm and inviting.

A full day on the water, circumnavigating Magnetic Island- sailing, snorkeling(we supply the snorkel gear, UV/wet suits), exploring a beach/bay only accessible by boat, paddle boarding, kayaking and boom netting. Small personalised groups of 12 and we welcome you into our home, Big Mama.Big Mama is a 18m(60ft) solid, well maintained sailing vessel with professional and friendly crew.Half Day Sails & Private Charters Available.We also have another vessel, Ragamuffin 3 so check out our website.

Join a 2-hour peaceful and enjoyable sunset sail during your stay on Magnetic Island. Small personalised groups of 12. BYO is welcome. Complimentary sparkling wine or non alcoholic beverages on arrival and delicious antipasto platters while watching the sunset. No hidden costs. Small personalised groups of 12.

Private Charters Available.We also have another vessel, Ragamuffin 3, so check out our website.

Get a more in-depth experience of Magnetic Island than most visitors on this tour, tailored to day trippers arriving on the morning ferry. See the island's top sights as well as some off-the-beaten-path spots, and learn about local wildlife, birds, history, geology, and folklore before heading back to the terminal in time for the ferry.

• Get a richer experience of Magnetic Island than most visitors
• Tour is timed to coincide with the ferry's morning arrival and afternoon departure
• See the island's top sights, as well as off-the-beaten-path spots: Great intro for first-time visitors
• Get insights into local culture, history, and wildlife from your guide

Jump on board a 58-foot sailing yacht for a gentle sunset sail in the magical waters surrounding Magnetic Island. Enjoy a selection of Tamburlaine organic wines or beers with some delicious local cheeses while you kick back and relax on a beautiful sailing yacht.

Our unique 4 x 4 stretched Jeep is the perfect way to explore the beauty and diversity of Magnetic Island. This tour is fun, exciting, educational and entertaining. Learn about our history, culture, wildlife and our what it is that makes our island so "Magnetic".

We pick our passengers up in the courtesy zone outside the ferry terminal just past the bus stop at 11am.

Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 4 people to operate.

If less than 4 passenger bookings on a single tour are received the tour may be cancelled and refunds issued.

PLEASE NOTE: It takes time to prepare the Jeep and the food for each tour therefore bookings with less than 24 hours noticed may not be possible to confirm.