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Whitehaven, Townsville & Magnetic Island: 4-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 4-day version for August: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go.

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4
days
310 km
distance
21.2 h
in transit
15
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach

1 curated stop
Transit
11h15
Finish
~18:50
Temperature
16.9°C–23.6°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
11.3h
Travel connectionsIndicative times · check before travel

Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.

  1. 06:45–18:00
    Transport service
    Airlie Beach → Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach
    Cruise Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet Chill & Grill return excursion — reserve and reconfirm weather
    Departs 07:15 · At the gate by 06:45
    Check source
18:00
Whitehaven Beach search
You will see brilliant white sand stretching for kilometers under clear blue skies.
50 min · Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach
Overnight here
e.g. Daydream Island Resort
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Townsville

4 curated stops
Transit
5h22
Finish
~15:35
Temperature
15.1°C–25.9°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
11.3h
Travel connections

Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.

  1. 06:45–06:45
    Transfer
    Whitehaven & Hill Inlet excursion returns Airlie Beach → Airlie Beach
    Resume the separately arranged mainland car after the excursion has returned to Port of Airlie.
    Planning allowance: 0 min
    Check source
  2. 06:45–10:45
    Road estimate
    Airlie Beach → TownsvilleCheck source
10:45
Castle Hill read more map ↗
Take in sweeping views east to Magnetic Island and west to the suburbs from this central city hill.
50 min · Townsville
11:45
Museum of Tropical Queensland mtq.qm.qld.gov.au read more map ↗
Discover artefacts from HMS Pandora and exhibits of tropical Queensland's wildlife at this engaging museum.
50 min · Townsville
13:40
Bushland Beach read more map ↗
Walk to a wooden shipwreck at low tide and explore marine life in nearby ponds at this growing community beach.
50 min · Townsville
14:45
Village Boulevard search
Stroll along this pedestrian spine that integrates the city with Pioneer Park along the river's edge.
50 min · Townsville
Overnight here
e.g. Holiday Inn Townsville · Aquarius on the Beach
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Around Townsville

4 curated stops
Transit
2h44
Finish
~13:50
Temperature
15.1°C–25.9°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
11.3h
06:45
Saunders Beach search map ↗
Stretch your legs on this long sandy beach, often enjoyed in peaceful solitude.
50 min · Townsville
07:50
Toolakea Beach search map ↗
Spend a quiet day fishing, birdwatching, or simply relaxing on this serene beach.
50 min · Townsville
09:55
Balgal Beach read more map ↗
Relax on clean white sand and visit a patrolled stinger net at this scenic beach community.
50 min · Townsville
12:00
Queens Gardens soe-townsville.org map ↗
Stroll through Townsville's finest park with special collections of Pandanus.
50 min · Townsville · Free
open: daylight hours
12:50
Sea View Hotel Restaurant seaviewhotel.com.au map ↗
Delight in excellent seafood and steak in a scenic restaurant.
60 min · Townsville
open: Mon-Thu 10AM-midnight, Fri-Sun 10AM-1AM
Overnight here
e.g. Holiday Inn Townsville · Aquarius on the Beach
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 4 Magnetic Island

4 curated stops
Transit
1h53
Finish
~14:20
Temperature
19.9°C–23.4°C
Rainy days
~2
Daylight
11.3h
Travel connectionsIndicative times · check before travel

Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.

  1. 06:45–06:45
    Transfer
    Townsville
    Resume the separately arranged mainland car before parking it for the island crossing.
    Planning allowance: 0 min
    Check source
  2. 06:45–07:00
    Transfer
    Townsville
    Park the mainland car and check in as a foot passenger for the Magnetic Island ferry.
    Planning allowance: 15 min
    Check source
  3. 07:00–08:20
    Ferry
    Townsville → Magnetic Island
    SeaLink Magnetic Island passenger ferry — verify ferry status and public-holiday timetable
    Departs 07:45 · At the gate by 07:25
    Check source
  4. 08:20–08:20
    Transfer
    Magnetic Island
    Continue from Nelly Bay with separately arranged local bus or taxi transport.
    Planning allowance: 0 min
    Check source
08:20
Forts Walk parks.qld.gov.au map ↗
Follow the two-hour Forts Walk to World War II remains and broad island viewpoints.
120 min · Magnetic Island · Free national-park walk; local transport to Forts Junction is separate
open: 24/7
10:30
Florence Bay search map ↗
50 min · Magnetic Island
11:30
Radical Bay search map ↗
50 min · Magnetic Island
12:30
Horseshoe Bay search map ↗
50 min · Magnetic Island
13:20
Marlin Bar Tavern search
60 min · Magnetic Island
open: Daily from 11AM

🚌 Buses & ferries for this route →

🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

Sources (4)

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