Magnetic Island, A Must.
I thought I would squeeze one more island trip into my tour of the North East coast of Queensland. Just off of Townsville lies the little gem that is magnetic island complete with eucalyptus breeze, baby koala and coconut bowling!? This was definitely the place to combine my attempts to converse with nature and pure mischievous mayhem. If you are looking for either of these in your vacation, then check out the Bungalow Bay Koala Village.
Besides miles of gorgeous beach and a maze of bushwalks to choose from, the Bungalow Bay Koala village has an animal sanctuary worth taking a peek. Bungalow Bay offers a champagne breakfast in the sanctuary followed by a tour of the grounds where you can sip your morning cocktail while holding a cockatoo. I have seen my fair share of cute and cuddly animals but by far the baby Koala takes the cake (or eucalyptus) as THE cutest creature, clinging wide-eyed to the furry back of his very relaxed momma bear. During our tour I had the pleasure of holding a crocodile, wrapping myself in a python, and walking mystified through a forest of butterflies. Unlike the underwater wildlife I had experienced diving in the whitsundays, amongst exotic birds, reptiles and crimson streaked protea, I was free to hold my breath in wonder at this unique land I have stumbled in to.
The evenings at the Koala village are well-organized by staff with drink and dinner specials and events such as the infamous coconut bowling party where guests represent their home country by hurling a coconut at a line of bowling pins hoping not to launch any into the nearby pool. Of course an American won the whole thing 🙂 putting everyone else to shame, although the Germans did make a comeback after singing the best version of their national anthem. With lazy afternoons spent poolside, crack-up evenings in the open-air hostel bar and morning walks through the bush in search of wild life, magnetic Island really is the full package deal. During my twenty-minute ferry ride back to Townsville I heard that familiar voice I occasionally have when departing a particularly perfect place “Why are you leaving???”
Teachtravelplay's Blog 
I agree. Magnetic Island is a tremendous place. I don’t think that animal sanctuary was there when I was there (many years ago), but I remember the island being choc-full of wildlife – rock wallabies, koalas, snakes, bats, lorikeets (millions of!), turtles and probably loads more I missed. Ah, I’ll go back one day 🙂 Thanks for the reminder.