Magnetic Island Tourism Masterplan

About the Tourism Masterplan Project

Following an island wide community survey undertaken in 2020, it was widely acknowledged that Magnetic Island needed a strategic masterplan to support and manage tourism growth. It was also clear the Magnetic Island community aspired to become a world leader in offering a sustainable island visitor experience, and residents of Magnetic Island are supportive of tourism development, provided it is undertaken in the right way.

Current and forecasted tourism growth on Magnetic Island needs to be managed in a sustainable and environmentally considered way. There has been significant investment in recent years into walking trails and roads on Magnetic Island. This Tourism Masterplan is set to take the next step for the region’s tourism and be the blueprint for future-proofing Magnetic Island’s visitor experience. This is a project that will leverage the full visitor potential of Magnetic Island whilst retaining the natural, cultural and environmental values which are so important to the fabric of the community. 

The Magnetic Island Tourism Masterplan has been funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and is managed by Townsville Enterprise with the oversight of an established steering committee.

Download the Magnetic Island 2030 Tourism Masterplan here.

Shared Vision: 

We want Magnetic Island to be a world-leading sustainable island destination inspiring land and reef stewardship that enhances the quality of life of our community and strengthens the cultural identity of our island home.

The Steering Committee

The Magnetic Island Tourism Masterplan Steering Committee currently includes representatives of the following organisations:

• Townsville Enterprise
• Queensland Government – Department of Tourism
• Townsville City Council
• Tourism Magnetic Island
• Magnetic Island Community Development Association
• Magnetic Island Residents & Ratepayers Association
• Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS)
• Magnetic Island Nature Care Association
• Wulgurukaba Traditional Owner Representation

Consultation to date

The Magnetic Island Tourism Masterplan has undergone a nine-month program of consultation, it has been created by tourism industry experts under the supervision of Townsville Enterprise and with input from a steering committee representing community, industry, and Government.

Extensive consultation involved online forums, face to face workshops, meetings and newsletters. The committee heard a lot of different perspectives about the challenges and opportunities for the Island. There was also an overwhelming acknowledgement that more must be done to protect island’s natural and cultural values.  It was discovered that industry, community, and government stakeholders are remarkably aligned in their aspirations for Magnetic Island, and it is important that this plan reflects this collective vision.