Beware of Magnetic Island Queensland

[Catalpa1]

Magnetic Island is a beautiful spot, (if tourist unfriendly) don't get me wrong, but just don't use the marina on the island.

New regulations just put in place now mean that liveaboard cruisers can reside on their yachts for a max of 30 days then have to vacate the marina for a minimum of 7 days. The boat can stay, but you can't.

Previous to this, users were abiding by a 90 day habitation period, whereby they could stay for 90 days before leaving for a week, then being allowed to return. This had great benefits to the yachties and local businesses on the island over the wet (cyclone season), as it was a great place to sit out bad weather. But no more. Keep in mind too that the boats are used and not just sitting and decaying.

The main reason for Queensland Transport introducing this new legislation seems to be because of pressure from the Peppers Blue on Blue Resort body corporate (anonymous apparently) and General Manager, who has been demeaning, rude and belittling to all marina users. A few of the island residents have also been making waves, but they are just bored and have nothing better to do, so why not cause drama where there is none???

As far as the Nelly Bay Marina goes, the Marina Manager is a great guy and will do anything for you. In saying that, the facilities are rubbish (actually staff facilities, 1 toilet, 1 shower not accessible from 11pm to 5am) hence the treatment the yachties receive from the manager from Peppers Blue on Blue.

There has been talk in Townsville of freeload yachties taking over the marina, noise and bad behaviour which is just a straight out lie! The worst behaviour I have seen in the marina was actually from an island local who has a charter boat island tours business who hit a private vessel that was berthed, then proceeded to threaten the boat owner. Not the first time either, so I've heard...

And in regards to the freeloaders comment, aside from the fact that they all pay a weekly marina fee, they have worked hard to be able to live the life that most people talk about but will never do themselves, so maybe it's just a hint of envy creeping in as well...

My advice to those cruising the Queensland Coast, enjoy the island by anchoring in one of the bays, but move on to the Palm Isles on your way further north. Much nicer without the rubbish that Magnetic Island and Townsville will offer the tourist.

[Ocean Diamond 2]

Hi Catalpa1,

Is this a local law or are the powers to be enforcing it over all of Qld?

Derek

[Catalpa1]

Local, for the moment. Seems to be slowly happening everywhere though, so only time will tell.

We were just amazed that we had read so many good things about the island, and after spending a bit of time there it would be well down on the list of good QLD Islands to visit.

[VirtualVagabond]

We'll be heading North from Lake Macquarie next month and this is one of our planned stops. But we seldom spend more than a week or 2 in a place, and almost never in marinas.

Vic

[Catalpa1]

Great, we might see you along the way.

Like I said, the island itself, natural feature wise is great, they just need to remove about three quarters of the island population, or in other words, the grumbly miserable ones. That's not too many from a population of around 3000 lol

[Jim Cate]

Right, Vic! We've been to Mag Island at least a dozen times and didn't actually realize that there was a marina there! The anchorages are good, shore access is ok, and for the transient cruiser, no need for marina facilities.

But it is always sad to hear stories like this, even if they don't affect us directly. We will continue to vote our dollars away from the Blue Peppers (weird name) facilities.

Cheers,

Jim