Magnetic Island is a dream destination for nature and wildlife lovers, and is home to some of Australia’s most adorable animals – rock-wallabies! The rock-wallabies on Magnetic Island are a star attraction, and these small and extremely friendly marsupials can be seen easily around the rocky shores of Geoffrey Bay.
As zoologists and amateur wildlife photographers, we think Magnetic Island is a must-visit travel destination if you are into wildlife, and we absolutely fell in love with the place! And if the wallabies aren’t enough, it is also home to the largest colony of koalas in Queensland – so don’t forget to check out our Magnetic Island Koala Guide after this to start planning your trip!
Table of Contents
What Are Rock-Wallabies?
Rock-wallabies are small kangaroo-like marsupials that have adapted to rocky habitats such as rocky outcrops and cliffs across Australia’s rugged terrain. The species of rock-wallaby that you find on Magnetic Island is the Allied Rock-Wallaby (Petrogale assimilis), which is found across north-eastern Queensland.
These loveable creatures are known for their adorable appearance and endearing behaviour, and the ones at Magnetic Island are extremely relaxed and used to human presence, so you will get some amazing views of them!
Getting to Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island is located just off of the coast of Townsville in north Queensland. It is really simple to get to, taking only ~40 minutes via the SeaLink ferry, so it is extremely accessible for either day trips or longer trips. Pick yourself up your SeaLink ferry ticket from Breakwater Ferry Terminal (Townsville) to Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal (Magnetic Island) and you’re good to go!
It is best to get the ferry as early as possible, so that you can spend as much time on the island as you can to fully appreciate the nature and wildlife there. The first ferry departs at 5:30 am, so we recommend heading out as early as possible to give yourself the best chances of being able to spot both the wallabies and the koalas!
Where to Find Wallabies on Magnetic Island: Geoffrey Bay
Once you’ve arrived at the ferry terminal on Magnetic Island, it’s time to seek out the best spots for rock-wallaby sightings. Geoffrey Bay is without doubt the best location to see rock-wallabies, as a large colony of the marsupials are known to congregate near the shoreline here.
Geoffrey Bay is easily accessible either via the bus (which we recommend) or via a short ~30 minute walk from the ferry terminal. However, we suggest picking up an all-day pass on the bus, as this allows you to hop on and off the bus as much as you want throughout the day for just AU $7.60 (as of January 2024). This is perfect for exploring the rest of the island – and you definitely don’t want to miss out on the Forts Walk where you can find wild koalas!
Once you arrive at Geoffrey Bay, head to the rocky headland and keep your eyes peeled. As you walk along the rocks near the ocean you should start to see some wallabies peeking out of the crevices and rocky outcrops. These are the favoured hiding spots for rock wallabies and can usually be seen here.
Best Time to See the Wallabies
Time of Day
Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times of day to see the rock-wallabies out and about as they emerge from their rocky hideouts to forage for food. So we definitely recommend heading over to Geoffrey Bay either to start or the end of your trip to Magnetic Island. However, it’s not a deal breaker if you can’t, as people often see them throughout the day!
Time of Year
In terms of season, Magnetic Island is an amazing place to visit throughout the year, as it is one of the sunniest places in Queensland. But visiting during the dry season from May to November is ideal as you are most likely to have beautiful warm sunny days and wildlife activity at its peak. However, Magnetic Island’s monsoon season is still a lot less rainy than many other parts of tropical Queensland, so it is still great to visit at any time. Plus you can see the wallabies all year round, so time of year shouldn’t matter too much.
Tips for Wildlife Viewing
Once you have made it to the right location at the right time of day, to maximise your chances of spotting rock wallabies, adopt a patient and observant approach and you will begin to see them appearing amongst the rocks!
The Magnetic Island rock-wallabies are very friendly and are used to human interaction, however they can still be startled and become stressed by large crowds. So, remember to move quietly, avoid sudden movements, and maintain a safe distance at all times! Let the wallabies come to you!
Another thing to remember is that although people can often be seen feeding the rock wallabies, it is highly discouraged and can lead to unhealthy wallabies with an unnatural reliance on humans for survival. Therefore, DO NOT feed the rock wallabies!
By following these simple guidelines and practicing responsible interactions with wild animals, you can minimise your impact on these carefully-balanced ecosystems and ensure a lovely experience for all!
Wildlife Photography Tips
Photographing Magnetic Island’s rock-wallabies is relatively easy compared to most wildlife photography due to their relaxed nature around humans. But it still definitely helps to use a telephoto lens if you have one in order to get more close and personal shots with nicely blurred backgrounds.
However, it is definitely good to experiment with different angles and compositions to get a range of images. For example, sometimes it is interesting to capture more wider angle shots with the background in focus, enabling the audience to get a better context of the wallabies and their environment.
Conclusion
Rock-wallabies are some of the most adorable and charismatic little creatures you can encounter in Australia. As wildlife lovers and wildlife photography enthusiasts, Magnetic Island is the perfect travel destination. It is an island filled with gorgeous landscapes and stunning nature, with amazing opportunities for close encounters with precious native Australian wildlife.
With thriving colonies of allied rock-wallabies and koalas, it is the ideal wildlife destination and one you have to add to your Australian wildlife itinerary! Hop on a ferry across from Townsville, head over to Geoffrey Bay, and you will be greeted by many friendly rock-wallabies beside the picturesque ocean!
It is best to arrive either early morning or late afternoon as these are the most active times for the wallabies, and when you will have the best chances of seeing lots of them amongst the rocks. However, if you can’t manage those times, you will still most likely be able to see them throughout the day, but just in fewer numbers.
One important thing to note is that tourists often feed the wallabies, which is something you should definitely avoid as this can negatively impact their health and increase their dependence on humans. And although they are extremely relaxed and friendly, don’t get too close as they are wild animals. It is much better to let the wallabies approach you and allow them to feel as comfortable as possible in your presence.
And don’t forget, once you have spent your time enjoying and experiencing the wallabies, Magnetic Island also has the largest colony of wild koalas in Queensland waiting to be uncovered by you! So go check out our guide on How to see Koalas on Magnetic Island and have an amazing time enjoying Australia’s wildlife!
For more of our Australian wildlife guides, keep an eye out for our posts on Australia Wildlife & Travel, including guides on how to see wombats, flying foxes, whales and a whole host of other iconic Australian creatures!
