The Forts walk on Magnetic Island is on one of the best things to do whilst on ‘Maggie’!
From the Forts Walk Turnoff bus stop the return trip is 2.77 miles / 4.45 km.
The total climbing to reach the top is 545 feet. The first stage is relatively flat, but towards the top there are some more challenging steep sections, but these are well maintained with steps and the walk is accessible for most. You’ll be constantly stopping to take in the view so take it slow and it’s well worth the effort.
Allow a minimum 90 minutes. We took it easy and total time was 2 hours and 10 minutes. Such are the views from the top that you wouldn’t want to rush it and do it any faster than this.
The start point is the ‘Forts Walk Turnoff’ bus stop between Arcadia and Horseshoe bay. This is the junction of the main road and the road to Radical Bay – the easiest way to get there is on the excellent bus service. See my article on Magnetic Island Travel for more details on travel on the island.
Forts Walk Koalas
The first part of the walk is through the trees, and the largest colony of koalas in Northern Australia. We were lucky to see one with her joey in the pouch and stood and watched them on the ground and in a tree so close that we could of reached out and touched them – we’d seen koalas in Australia Zoo a few weeks previously but to me it doesn’t really count until you see them in the wild, so this was a real treat.
Koala with her Joey 
On the way to the gun emplacement 
Typical boulders on the way
As you leave the trees the huge boulders seem to defy gravity, clinging on to the side of the hills. The scenery is just astounding; it can be steep in places but the views are just so amazing that you’re constantly stopping to take it in anyway, so it’s quite manageable. As you continue you will start getting to the military facility with many well preserved remains of the buildings with plenty of information on the history.
Magnetic Island Forts and World War 2
The Magnetic Islands fort was built when Australia and America declared war on Japan following the shock attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941; nearby Townsville became home to around 70,000 US servicemen, and a failed air attack by the Japanese on the town in 1942 prompted the construction of the forts and gun emplacement between September 1942 and July 1943. Considering the terrain this is a remarkable thing to consider; it recently took a similar length of time to build a mini roundabout in my home town 75 years later.
It remained an important defence until the Japanese surrendered on August 15th 1945 following the US attack against Hiroshima.
The final push takes you steeply up to the highest fort where the views over the island and the coral sea are just stunning. After returning to the start we then walked down to Arthur Bay for a refreshing swim and snorkel over the fringe reef, before walking back to the bus stop.
Magnetic Island Forts Walk Map
The following is the actual GPS track of the forts walk that we took. Note the loop at the top – when you reach the junction there is a sign for the Forts Circuit which takes you around a one way system and back again. The loop half way up was where we spotted the koalas!
If we are ever fortunate enough to find ourselves back on ‘Maggie’ we’d definitely do the forts walk again. If you’re getting the bus back towards Nelly Bay afterwards then a stop off at Arcadia to observe the Rock Wallabies is a great way to round of the day.