The Best Accommodation Options to Book on Magnetic Island, Australia

On the shore of Nelly Bay, these beach-front villas – with A-frame design and decor in teak – feature two bedrooms, a full kitchen and outdoor spaces with a barbecue. Private verandas come with loungers and tables set for dining in the sea breeze and the waves of the Coral Sea lap at the sand, just across the road. This villa is a great option if you want a little independence with your luxury.

With walls of glass and balconies looking out over Horseshoe Bay, Maggies Beachfront Apartments offer three-bedroom accommodation, right by the beach. Glass doors slide open to melt the barrier between indoor and outdoor living where you can choose to dine at the large dining table inside, or on your private terrace overlooking the ocean. Days can be spent snorkelling in the crystal clear sea, or perhaps sinking into the silky water of the building’s indoor mineral pool.

On the marina at Nelly Bay – where the Townsville ferry drops off travellers – this classy apart-hotel awaits, just a 20m (65.6ft) stroll from the ferry dock. Choose between a standard hotel room or a little more independence in a three-bedroom apartment or four-bedroom penthouse. Every option comes with glass sliding doors from your room or living area to a private balcony, set up for dining or evening drinks. It’s particularly idyllic as the sun sets over the marina.

Backpackers on a budget looking to meet fellow travellers should look no further than Base Magnetic Island Hostel. Six-bed dorms in A-frame cabins offer the cheapest option – there are also female-only rooms available – and private doubles sit on the rocks right on the ocean. This beach-side spot is dotted with chill-out spaces – think beanbag-strewn decks, hammocks slung up between palms and an outdoor pool. Come nightfall, Island Bar is the liveliest place to be in Nelly Bay.

Set in tropical gardens, Lotus House is a luxurious villa rental on Magnetic Island’s Coral Coast. Ensuite bedrooms can house up to six guests and you can walk straight from the pool terrace to the soft sand of Horseshoe Bay. Designed in teak wood with high ceilings, there’s a distinctly Balinese feel here – complemented by sprawling day beds on private balconies and a lotus pond in the grounds.

This three-bedroom apartment is a two-minute stroll from Nelly Bay beach, where you can take advantage of Magnetic Island’s main town restaurants, shops and bars. As the name suggests, it’s right on the waterfront and you can enjoy marina views from the barbecue terrace, swimming pool and balcony. The open-plan living area has a full kitchen for self-catering and there’s a spa tub in the master bathroom.

Just 20 steps from the beach at Horseshoe Bay, this Balinese-inspired villa is ideal for extended family or a group of friends. Four bedrooms sleep up to ten people and there’s plenty of room for the group to spread out across private balconies, terraces and by the pool. There’s a wet bar on the terrace and loungers facing the sea view provide the perfect spot for a sundowner.

Within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, this four-bedroom villa is the only accommodation in beautiful Arthur Bay. The largest population of koalas reside just beyond the backyard and you might spot the odd wallaby or wake to the sound of kookaburras. You’ll have the house to yourself – ideal for a group of friends or a family get-together. There’s a barbecue and swimming pool outside to make the most of the tropical climate – and the reefs of the Great Barrier are begging to be explored just beyond your doorstep.