After boarding the bus at Nelly Bay terminal you will meet your friendly local guide who will escort you throughout the day. Our guides are all locals, with a depth of knowledge about life on the island. After a brief introduction you will make your way through Nelly Bay to the western side of the island. On the way you’ll get some background facts on the island and an introduction to the geography and fauna.

Closed Tuesdays and between Australia Day to Easter. Set in the heritage listed Picnic Bay School and historic Butler Hut, the centre operates a museum and sells locally made craft and historical publications. The museum shows island history through permanent displays and varying annual exhibitions.

Optional stop where we will discover its story and how it was saved from demolition, and take in the beautiful surrounds

No visit to the Maggie would be complete without a stop at Geoffrey Bay to see if you can find some of our extremely cute Allied Rock Wallabies. These wallabies are found only in Northern Queensland between Townsville and the Burdekin River. Geoffrey Bay is also an opportunity to get out of the bus and get up close and personal with our incredible rock formations.

As the bus climbs the long steep hill towards Horseshoe Bay you will get breathtaking views across the island. You will then head down the other side into the old farming precinct before we stop for an hour’s free time in Horseshoe Bay where a variety of food is available. During the winter when the butterflies are around we will definitely visit the Butterfly forest for a short bush walk. Its an experience not to be missed and great balm for the soul. Horseshoe Bay also offers year round swimming with a safe swimming enclosure in place during the summer months. An excellent place to cool off if you bring your swimmers.

After lunch you will return to the Ferry, giving you the chance to catch those incredible views once more. This time though we will head through the back of Arcadia, along pretty Hayles avenue with a short stop at Aquasearch Aquarium ($3 entry fee, cash only) where we will try and find Nemo and Dory and chat about our Giant Clams, before heading back to the Ferry Terminal in time to meet the 3pm depature to Townsville.