During a recent trip to Queensland for Australian Geographic Adventure, I was lucky enough to spend a few days exploring Magnetic Island. The number one activity that I’d been recommended while I was there was to complete the Forts Walk, so on a rainy afternoon, I did just that.
The Forts Walk – Magnetic Island, QLD
Located a short ferry ride across the ocean from Townsville, Magnetic Island is a small, semi-tropical island near the Great Barrier Reef. While visiting Maggie, I couldn’t resist the lure of the Forts Walk, especially as I’d been guaranteed that I’d spot a koala by more than one friendly local.
The start of the Forts Walk is easy to find as it’s just off the side of Magnetic Islands one and only main road, about halfway between the harbour and Horseshoe Bay. Despite being in Queensland for a cycling trip, I’d decided to hire a moped for the afternoon and with the throttle revved to the max, I putt-putted up the hill to the car park at the start of the trail.
Moped and helmet secured, I entered the trail and began the gentle climb towards the summit. The first few hundred metres were slow going as I carefully scanned the tree tops either side of the trail, searching for a glimpse of grey fur. Magnetic Island is home to a large, healthy Koala population and most of the Island has been ear marked as national park, so there’s plenty of terrain for the koalas to call home.
After some fruitless searching, but some lovely views across the coastline, I asked a descending fellow hiker about their koala hunt and they pointed me in the direction of a makeshift arrow marker made out of sticks a further couple of hundred metres up the trail.
Koala Spotting on the Forts Walk
Feeling confident I strode up the trail, no longer searching the treetops, until I reached the marker. Here I followed a small footpad leading into the trees. After some searching around I spotted a small group of tourists looking up into the tree and, making my way over, soon spotted the koalas in their sight.
As an Englishman abroad, spotting a koala in the wild has been on my Australian bucketlist for some time – I’m not counting the koala I saw crossing the road in Lorne, VIC, some years ago as it was a far from ‘wild’ encounter!
Koala spotted, I continued up the trail to the other main attractions of the hike, 360 degree island views and some WW2 ruins.
The Ruins of The Forts Walk
Towards the summit of the Forts Walk, you start to encounter the ruins. These ruins are heritage listed remains of structures from WW2 defence. The highlight of these fortifications is the Artillery Command Post as it gives uninterrupted views of the many beaches of Magnetic Island. Up here you also get a true sense of how wild the island is, with endless forest stretching before you.
The Forts Walk might only be 2km long, but it’s absolutely a must-do when visiting Magnetic Island.
Trail Notes – The Forts Walk
- Distance: 2km return
- Duration: 2 hours return (approx)
- Location: Magnetic Island, QLD