Picnic Bay
Picnic bay comes with a specially designed swimming enclosure to aid is safe swimming all year round.
Features
Jetty
Stinger Nets
Beach front gardens
Shops
Ship wreck
Craft centre
National Parks Office
Golf course
Fishing, Golfing, Swimming the possibilities are endless.
Picnic Bay was once the main hub of Magnetic Island with first peek visitors had of the stunning tropical Island as they docked at the Historic Picnic Bay Jetty. Now the ferries dock in at Nelly Bay but Picnic Bay is still host to some of the most picturesque beaches. Picnic Bay is also the bay on the southernmost corner of Magnetic Island where the town is situated.
Picnic Bay
How To Get To Picnic Bay
- From the Ferry – take a hire car and drive to Picnic Bay
- Bus – You can take the line 250 bus from Kelly Street at Warboys Street to Granite Street at Picnic Street
- Walk
Magnetic Island Bays – Picnic Island
Plan Your Perfect Trip With Us
Picnic Bay is an amazing location to enjoy a relaxing swim, exploring, try your luck at fishing off the jetty or to simply sit and watch the sun set while taking in the views of the Townsville coastline in the distance. Snorkeling is a popular way to explore the stunning marine life of Picnic Bay or see what you can spot from above while taking a stroll along the jetty.
At the south end of Magnetic Island with views back to Townsville from the headlands lays the community of Picnic Bay. Cockle Bay is off to the west, and to the east lies Rocky Bay, one of the island’s top locations for swimming and snorkeling.
Mamma Roma Italian Restaurant
Italian Live Music Restaurant & Wood fired Oven. Italian family business from Rome. This Restaurant offer quality food and freshness. Open For breakfast @ 9am and dinner @ 5pm . Italian Atmosphere and welcoming are the “cultural MUST’, and the Ocean view does the rest… an experience in Magnetic Island.
R&R Restaurant
The recently refurbished R&R Bar and Restaurant is a stone’s throw from the historic Picnic Bay Jetty, offering uninterrupted, panoramic views of the Coral Sea and Townsville coastline and headlands.
Features
Golf Course
For the keen golfer, Picnic Bay is also home to Magnetic Island’s only golf course. With its breathtaking views and local wildlife your game of golf on Magnetic Island will be one to remember.
Swimming
The best swimming is at high tide in the enclosure or, when safe, snorkelling over the reef flats. At low tide the bay is generally too shallow for comfortable swimming. Don’t forget to check out the old shipwreck too!
Wildlife and Nature
Picnic Bay is the home to a range of amazing Australian wildlife – from cute koalas and lively Wallabies on the land to tropical fish and turtles in the sea! If you’re lucky you might even spot a Dugong!
FAQ
What is the phone and internet reception like at Picnic Bay ?
Great reception at the beach and close by facilities
Is there a public toilet here ?
Public Toilets are located at the entrance to the Jetty.
Are there stinger nets at Picnic Bay?
Yes, there are stinger nets at Picnic Bay during the stinger season.
What Our Visitors Say
Picnic Bay News
Magnetic Island Holiday Ideas
Searching for that unicorn holiday full of opportunity and experience you can’t find just anywhere? Maybe Magnetic Island is just the place to make all your holiday dreams come true.
Island Getaway – Christmas on Magnetic Island
Just a short ferry ride from Townsville in Far North Queensland is an island ready to give you the most Aussie Christmas and New Year’s ever. Magnetic Island, of course.
Best Things To Do On Magnetic Island 2025 Summer
Best things to do on Magnetic Island 2025 SummerIf you aren’t a fan of crowds, then summer is the perfect time of year for a Magnetic Island adventure. You can expect hot and humid weather with some rain, but because it is the low season, you’ll have the island all to...