SeaLink North Queensland

13/06/2026

Sundays are for sunrises 🌅

And what a spectacular beauty this one was! You can almost hear the angels harmonising! 😍

Thanks to for sharing this one with us. ☺️

13/06/2026

What a brilliant day to showcase Magnetic Island to our friends from EP Bus Charters. The highlight from our day had to be sighting a beautiful big green sea turtle from the Picnic Bay Jetty.

12/06/2026

📣 PALM ISLAND SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 📣

Due to tidal parameters our services over the weekend have been adjusted as follows:

Saturday 13th June 2026
Departing Townsville: 1:00pm
Departing Palm Island: 3:15pm

Sunday 14th June 2026
Departing Townsville: 2:00pm
Departing Palm Island: 4:15pm

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.

12/06/2026

📸 FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Stepping off the Hayles Ferry into a 1960s Magnetic Island Paradise! 🏝️⛴️

Who remembers the pure excitement of walking down the timber planks of the old Picnic Bay Jetty after a choppy trip across Cleveland Bay? This incredible photo from around 1965 perfectly bottles up the mid-60s island vibe before the arrival of the main power grid and sealed roads. Every single corner of this shot is a massive trip down memory lane for Townsville and Maggie locals:

🚖 The "Taxi Redtop" (T15-821): Check out the iconic 1963–1965 EH Holden Sedan on the left! Long before corporate fleet dispatch took over, local owner-operators ruled the jetty. To stand out to tourists, this legendary independent operator sported a bright red roof and proudly advertised the "TAXI REDTOP" nickname on a handmade roof sign. Right next to it sits a classic XL/XM Ford Falcon taxi (T15-451). How many of you took a ride in one of these over the island's old dirt tracks?

⛴️ The Hayles Ferry: In the background sits one of the classic wooden-hulled Hayles cruisers (looks like the Megeera or one of her sister ships???). Before modern roll-on/roll-off barges, getting luggage, supplies, and vehicles off the ferry and onto the tight jetty planks was an absolute art form managed by the deckhands.

🚲 The Ultimate 60s Beach Ride: Look closely at the foreground! That’s a cutting-edge British Alex Moulton "F-Frame" folding bicycle. With its tiny 16-inch wheels and hidden rubber suspension, it was the ultimate high-tech tourist accessory. You could split it in half, bring it on the Hayles boat for free, and pedal your way straight to Alma or Horseshoe Bay. Rumour has it the boy riding it became one of our deckhands!

From the EK Holden station wagon on the right to the classic high-waisted shorts and resort wear on the crowd, this is Maggie Island at its absolute retro best.

💬 Over to you, locals! Did you ever catch the Redtop taxi? Do you remember the distinct smell of the timber jetty and the diesel hum of the Hayles engines? Drop your favourite Magnetic Island memories in the comments below! 👇

11/06/2026

Island bound & stress free 🌊🌴

Because the cruise to Orpheus Island is just as special as the destination itself.

We love seeing our guests unwind, kick back, relax, and enjoy the moment as we sail to this North Queensland gem. ☺️

Thank you 📸 Gibbs for capturing these beautiful moments.

🔗https://bit.ly/NQAOrpheusTour

10/06/2026

📣 Palm Island Service Announcement 📣

Please be advised of the following amendment to our scheduled service:

📅THURSDAY 18 & 25 JUNE
⚓Departing Townsville at 8.00am
⚓Departing Palm Island at 4.15pm

📅SATURDAY 20 JUNE
⚓Departing Palm Island at 9.15am
⚓Departing Townsville at 12.15pm

Please visit our website for more information👇
🔗https://www.sealink.com.au/palm-island/ferry-information/timetable/

The SeaLink North Queensland ferry takes an hour and 45 minutes to reach Palm Island. Here’s the ferry timetable to help you plan your travel over to Palm…

10/06/2026

🌈✨ Our crew spotted this breathtaking rainbow at Palm Island on Monday! Nature’s beauty never ceases to amaze. Who else loves a good rainbow?




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10/06/2026

🔥 Community Notice – Magnetic Island Visitors 🔥

Visitors travelling to Magnetic Island between 15 and 19 June 2026 are advised that smoke may be visible due to planned Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) fire management activities in Magnetic Island National Park. Please follow all signage and directions from QPWS Rangers and avoid entering closed areas.

SMOKE ALERT
QPWS Planned Burn - Magnetic Island National Park
15th - 19th June 2026

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife (QPWS) planned burn on Magnetic Island scheduled between the 9th and 12th of June has been postponed.

The next planned burn on Magnetic Island National Park as part of annual fire management operations will take place on a suitable day between the 15th and 19th of June, subject to weather and operational conditions. QPWS will be working with other agencies including Horseshoe Bay Rural Fire Service to achieve this planned burn which will involve aerial ignition.

Residents with property adjacent to national park please ensure the fire access tracks behind your property are clear of any rubbish or obstructions including vehicles. Never dump garden waste on the fires access track or in the national park. QPWS Rangers require access to these tracks throughout the year especially during the planned burn and wildfire seasons.

The aim of this burn is to maintain a healthy forest environment and reduce the potential threats from bushfires in periods of dangerous fire weather.

Fire is important in many of Queensland’s natural ecosystems to maintain the diversity of native plants and animals. Fire plays a vital role in maintaining these ecosystems through releasing nutrients, encouraging seed germination and providing ideal conditions for growth.

Please see attached Smoke Alert for an updated map of the planned burn area. This map is indicative only, with just a portion of the landscape is burnt at any one time. This helps to create a mosaic pattern of burnt and unburnt areas that increases the opportunity for safer and more successful response to bushfires while supporting plant regeneration and protecting important habitat for wildlife.

Observe all signage, barriers and directions from QPWS Rangers and do not enter closed areas.

For more information contact Ivy Summers at: [email protected]

08/06/2026

🌊 Happy World Oceans Day 🌊

At SeaLink NQ, the ocean is at the heart of every journey we take. 💙

Today we celebrate the beauty, power, and importance of our oceans and the incredible role they play in connecting communities across North Queensland. 🐠✨

📸"Matt Whitton FilmandAudio

07/06/2026

The whales are coming!!! 🐋

Have you booked your whale watching tour with SeaLink North Queensland.

Experience Townsville’s premier whale watching adventure aboard SeaLink's modern, air-conditioned catamaran, featuring spacious indoor and outdoor viewing areas, expert live commentary, morning tea, and unforgettable encounters with majestic humpback whales along our stunning coastline.

Book now - https://www.sealink.com.au/magnetic-island/experiences/whale-watching-tour/

North Queensland’s whale migration season has begun with humpback whale sightings already confirmed off the coast, as whale watching tours are set to begin soon 🌊 READ MORE 👉 https://bit.ly/43gzuIW