Towns in Australia

Exploring Australia, town by town

Picnic Bay QLD

Picnic Bay

Postcode: 4819

Picnic Bay refers to both a bay on the south-east corner of Magnetic Island (offshore from Townsville in Queensland, Australia) and the island’s main town. Until recently, the bay was the landing site for ferry services from the mainland, but ferries now arrive at a new terminal at nearby Nelly Bay. The town of Picnic Bay features an open-air shopping complex, The Picnic Bay Mall, and a patrolled beach along the waterfront. The town also hosts the Magnetic Island Golf Course and the Magnetic Island Police Station.

There are a number of shops and restaurants situated throughout the Picnic Bay Mall, as well as a selection of accommodation, including hostels and hotels. You can also hire bikes, cars and scooters to get around the island. Situated in the middle of the bay is the old jetty, which is no longer used, but a great spot for fishing. Towards the back streets of the township is a popular golf course often used to improve the skills of Greg Norman. The two bays either side of Picnic Bay are well worth visiting. To the west is Cockle Bay where you will find the wrecked City Of Adelaide, and to the east is Rocky Bay which is a local hotspot for sun-lovers and one of the Islands top beaches for swimming and snorkelling.