Distance: Variable depending on your starting point
Difficulty: 3/10
Reward/ Effort: 9/10
We would rate this track number two of must do hikes on Magnetic Island, second only to the famous Forts Walk. This walk can be undertaken at anytime of day which Sarah completed both for sunset and daytime. Although she didn't make it out of bed for a sunrise hike here, she has a suspicion it's also pretty special!
What you need to know:
The length is variable, depending on where you start the hike from. If you refer to the colour coordinated Magnetic Island National Park Map below, the track is part of route 6, which starts at Nelly Bay harbour (where the ferries arrive and depart from) and arrives at Picnic Bay jetty. There is a built up boardwalk and well formed footpaths that hug the coastline next to the road that gives you unsurpassed views over Nelly Bay. The distance is about 3.4km one way and part of it is just walking through suburbia so we suggest driving might be a more feasible option unless you have the time and don't mind a stroll.
If you want to just walk the Hawkings Point track we suggest you either drive to the base of the track on Picnic Road or park your car at the top of Sooning St amongst the granite boulders and follow the well formed track down towards Picnic St.
The track itself is only about 1.2km. A sign at the eastern end of Picnic Bay signifies the beginning of this hike where you can follow a track that leads you to a saddle between Rocky Bay and Picnic Bay, giving you some decent views. The track then winds uphill to the top of a large boulder where a decent structural fence has been placed almost 360 degree around the top of the boulder ensuring your safety as you admire views over Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Geoffrey Bay and towards Townsville. On a clear day when the tide is out, you may even catch a glimpse of S.S. City of Adelaide shipwreck at Cockle Bay.
Whilst it's relatively easy, it is rough underfoot so it isn't wheelchair friendly. It is mostly uphill but it hardly feels like hard work when you see the views from the top- we promise! Allow about an hour, but we feel this would be an overestimation of the actual time taken to complete the walk.
Some examples of the type of track this hike entails.
Views looking over the west side of Magnetic Island. When the tide is out, you can spot S.S. City of Adelaide, a shipwreck that you can walk out too.
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