ROBERT HAYLES – A MAN OF VISION PIONEER OF TOURISM ON MAGNETIC ISLAND Magnetic Museum’s 2026 exhibition celebrates the contribution made by Robert Hayles to the development of tourism on Magnetic Island. The exhibition marks the centennial anniversary of pioneer Robert Hayles’ death illustrating his endeavours and the enduring legacy carried on by his family. The exhibition will officially open at Magnetic Museum on Saturday 28 March 2026 at 10.30am and will be followed by a

Pictured above: Orpheus Island From reef to island to open ocean, SeaLink North Queensland has opened bookings for its 2026 North Queensland Adventure season, inviting travellers to plan ahead for some of the best experiences across the region’s most spectacular marine and island environments. With 2026 dates now confirmed for Orpheus Island Yanks Jetty day tours, the Great Barrier Reef snorkelling experiences and the ever-popular Whale Watching season, the 2026 program offer

The February MIRRA meeting will be held this Saturday 7th Feb 10am at the RSL Hall Hayles Ave Arcadia Gold coin entry All welcome

Our Port community wants to help you.  We're committed to supporting not-for-profit organisations and groups who are working hard to provide lasting benefits to our local communities in North Queensland. Launched in 2021, the Port’s Community Fund contributes $50,000 to North Queensland’s charities, not-for-profits, schools, universities and community groups each year. The Community Fund seeks to support a broad range of local initiatives that improve sustainability in four k

Today the Commonwealth Ombudsman released a report into the actions of Services Australia and the Department of Social Services (DSS) to address an ongoing issue of non-compliance with the law. The issue, relating to child support, was originally identified by Services Australia staff in 2019, and DSS were made aware in February 2020. The agencies planned to address the issue by having the legislation changed, however successive attempts to develop amending legislation never

I want to address an important issue that affects our entire community, the Haughton Pipeline project. I understand that this news may be disappointing and concerning for many, and I want to speak openly and honestly about where we are, how we got here, and what happens next. The Haughton Pipeline project stands as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in Townsville’s history. Only 12 years ago, our city was facing the significant impacts of drought and heav

The Sooning Street pedestrian bridge will be closed to the public from Wednesday 21st January till Monday 9th February, as construction teams work on the pile installation of our new bridge. Photos: Debbie Denison

Townsville locals have been called into action to help fight against a national threat – with the week-long Great Cane Toad Bust kicking off this weekend across Australia.   Magnetic Island Nature Conservation Association (MINCA) and Canoe Projects have teamed up to form the Maggie Toad Busters group .    The organisations are leading toad-busting charge on the Island thanks in part to funding secured through the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant.

Townsville Local Disaster Management Group has stood down this morning with all agencies returning to standard operations. The TLDMG has lifted all current warnings for the Townsville Local Government Area. TLDMG Chair Nick Dametto said Townsville was well-prepared ahead of the crossing of Tropical Cyclone Koji. “Thank you to the community for being prepared and following the advice of the TLDMG. As always, we prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” Cr Dametto said. “We

Residents should prepare now to shelter in place from 4pm today. The Townsville Local Disaster Coordination Group (TLDMG) is advising residents from Mutarnee to Cungulla to prepare now to take shelter. This warning includes Magnetic Island. A tropical low is developing slowly as it moves towards the northeast Queensland coast. The tropical low is forecast to reach tropical cyclone intensity later this evening before crossing the coast near Townsville, most likely early on Sun

Gustav Creek - Sooning St Bridge - currently under construction Photo Magnetic Drones Heavy rain continues fall across the island, over night parts of Nelly Bay recorded over 270mls. Here is a birds of view of Gustav Creek and the construction site for the new 2 span bridge on Sooning St. Thanks for the image Magnetic Drones.

Pictured above: Gustav Creek in flood 2024 Photo Debbie Denison Damaged Sooning St Bridge January 2025 Gustav Creek New Characteristics.   Just a point for those who might want to know…….that the speed of the once, twice or even three times  wet season downstream flows will increase dramatically without the restrictive Sooning St culvert bridge structure.   That means sand will flow downstream more efficiently, which will help in keeping the exotics from growing in the creek

Hotel Magnetic Picnic Bay photo Arch Frayley Collection On Christmas eve 1971 severe tropical cyclone Althea crossed the coast near Magnetic Island causing massive destruction acrossthe island and Townsville. Here are a few photos of the damaged hotel, homes, Picnic Bay and also Horseshoe Bay. Picnic Bay - photo Arch Frayley collection Pacific Drive Horseshoe Bay - photo TCC

with materials and machinery for our new Sooning St Bridge. Photos Rosie Eve

Construction will begin on a new 38 metre two-span Sooning Street Bridge on Magnetic Island in the coming weeks through a joint reconstruction effort with the Townsville City Council, Crisafulli State Government, and Albanese Commonwealth Government. Townsville City Council has had $7.4 million in funding approved for this project, financed through the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Site preparations and concrete bridge pile c

Council has setup a temporary compound at 55-77 Kelly Street to store construction materials that we are unable to stockpile on site.   When not in use, we will store plant and equipment at the compound, alongside storage containers, tools, and materials.   There will be occasions when we deliver formwork, scaffolding, reinforcing steel, and other construction materials to our compound for sorting before transporting to site.   BMD, a local contractor, is delivering these wor