| set along the coast of horseshoe bay, this warm, trendy hostel surrounded by greenery is a 6-minute walk from the horseshoe bay lagoon conservation park and 4 km from geoffrey bay. other amenities include a cafe/restaurant, a bar, an outdoor pool and a deck. parking is free. check-in time: 1:00 pmcheck-out time: 10:00 am. there's also a communal kitchen and a garden, along with furnished terraces and hammocks. private rooms add minifridges and en suite facilities. bikes are available. the simple, rustic mixed-gender dorms set in wooden, thatched-roof huts offer free wi-fi, bunk beds, fans and lockers, as well as linens; bathrooms are shared. the magnetic island ferry terminal is 6 km away
Townsville Airport 1 hr 30
Reef HQ Aquarium (52 min)
Opened in 1987, this aquarium features hundreds of species of coral, plus fish & other marine life. Reef Headquarters Aquarium (52 min)
Aquarium featuring over 100 types of coral, plus fish, sea urchins & other marine life. Radical Bay (14 min) Museum of Underwater Art (1 hr 3)
Museum, art, and art museum The Forts (12 min)
Uphill, wooded hiking trail passing lookout points & the occasional koala, reaching WWII ruins. Magnetic Island National Park (24 min)
Mountainous island park featuring tranquil, sandy beaches & walking tracks amid pines & eucalyptus. Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park (1 hr 59)
Large coastal preserve with multi-use trails, picnic facilities & WWII military structures. Museum of Tropical Queensland (54 min)
Modern building with a modest selection of natural history & archaeology exhibits, plus a cafe. Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks (5 min) Jezzine Barracks (1 hr 41) Geoffrey Bay (6 min)
Bay with a sandy beach, wallabies & a snorkel trail to a reef & 19th-century sailing vessel wreck. Strand Park (1 hr 17)
Scenic park & promenade with walking/biking paths, beach swimming, picnic areas & restaurants. Balding Bay (14 min)
This peaceful, picturesque bay features a secluded sandy beach, sealife sightings & boating. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (1 hr 3)
Protected scenic area & well-known snorkeling spot featuring a huge coral reef full of marine life. | 
