About Picnic Bay Hotel.
Picnic Bay Hotel is a beachfront island escape where you can stay, dine and enjoy Magnetic Island’s natural beauty and wildlife.
Welcome to Picnic Bay.
Sitting on the shores of picturesque Picnic Bay on Magnetic Island in Queensland, the Picnic Bay Hotel is a boutique accommodation destination offering good food and curated island experiences in one unforgettable location.
Take in views of the historic Picnic Bay Jetty and across the sparkling ocean — that’s where the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area waits to be discovered.
Travelling to Magnetic Island.
Picnic Bay is a seaside community on Magnetic Island. The island is a laid-back, natural paradise located 8km offshore from Townsville in North Queensland, Australia.
To reach this island paradise, fly or drive to Townsville and catch a ferry to Nelly Bay terminal. We offer a complimentary transfer service from the ferry terminal to Picnic Bay Hotel for our guests.
Explore our relaxing island escape.
As the only hotel in Picnic Bay, the Picnic Bay Hotel is positioned to offer couples, families and small groups a place to stay and dine that’s rich in natural beauty and local charm. Proudly run by lifelong friends, the hotel aims to be a holiday haven where good food and good times come naturally.
Stay
Food + Drink
Events
Experiences
Transfers
Make Picnic Bay Hotel your escape.
A new era for the Picnic Bay Hotel.
The Picnic Bay Hotel is being revitalised to preserve this historic landmark as a community gathering place for now, and into the future.
In phased stages, the hotel will be transformed into a vibrant island escape — bringing boutique accommodation, multiple dining places and event spaces to the beachfront of picturesque Picnic Bay.
A historic icon lives on.
The Picnic Bay Hotel is an important historical landmark, the original pub welcoming travellers to Magnetic Island.
1770
Magnetic Island was named by Lt James Cook when he believed its magnetic powers were interfering with his compass
1877
The Magnetic Island ferry service began between Picnic Bay & Townsville
1899
A two-storey hotel, dance hall and jetty were constructed in Picnic Bay. The Picnic Bay Hotel (as it’s now known) was established.
1900
The Picnic Bay jetty was extended to 240m. By 1984, it was used by up to 300,000 visitors a year.
2004
The jetty was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. The Nelly Bay ferry terminal opened in 2003.
2022
The Picnic Bay Hotel attracted new ownership: two lifelong friends from Townsville with a desire to revitalise this historic hotel for future generations.
Significant renovations began in 2025 to return the hotel to its place as the heart of good food and good times on Magnetic Island.
