Magnetic Island National Park

Rocky headlands and mighty pines stand sentinel over ridiculously tranquil sandy bays on this rugged, mountainous island. And if that's not attractive enough, it lies within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area so its surrounded by coral reefs. Magnetic or 'Maggie' to locals is easily accessible from Townsville on a short ferry ride and has some excellent wildlife. Via a 36-kilometre network of walking tracks, you can go koala spotting (there are loads in the wild), rock-wallabies, possums and birds. Then take a swim or go for a snorkel in the secluded bays. The original inhabitants are the Wulgurukaba Aboriginal people, and during World War II this island was an important lookout post.

The name of the island came from the magnetic effect it had on Captain Cook's ship compass as he passed the island in 1770. People have since explored the area with various instruments trying to discover what was so electrifying, but nothing has been discovered. The mysterious magnetic effect is the basis for the 2015 novel 'A Tango with the Dragon.'