Forts Walk
The Forts Walk is the island’s most popular walking experience, showcasing many highlights of Magnetic Island National Park—koalas, stunning views and World War II relics all set in the island’s dry tropical landscape.
- Journey type
- Walk
- Distance
- 4km
- Time suggested
- Allow 2hr walking time.
- Grade
- Grade 3 walking track
Accessible by
- Conventional vehicle
- Bicycle
- Walk-in
Journey facilities
- Lookout (natural)
- Walking
- Photo credit: © Townsville Enterprise Limited
- Photo credit: © Queensland Government
- Photo credit: © Queensland Government
- Photo credit: © Lauren Beattie
- Photo credit: © Queensland Government
- Photo credit: © Queensland Government
- Photo credit: © Queensland Government
- Photo credit: © Queensland Government
- Photo credit: © Tourism Events Queensland
- Photo credit: © Queensland Government
- Photo credit: © Queensland Government
- Photo credit: © Queensland Government
- Photo credit: © Queensland Government
- Photo credit: © Jumara Kyle Queensland Government
- Photo credit: © Queensland Government
Wumbu - Route 1
The Forts Walk is the island’s most popular walking experience, showcasing many highlights of Magnetic Island National Park—koalas, stunning views and World War II relics all set in the island’s dry tropical landscape.
Walk through eucalypt and acacia woodland where there is a good chance of spotting a wild koala in the stunted trees. Towards the top, impressive WWII concrete fortifications sit naturally amongst the granite boulder and hoop pine landscape.
The views just get better and better. From the many vantage points see different perspectives of the island landscapes. From the very top, the views take in the surrounding ocean encompassing Bowling Green Bay National Park to the south and the Palm Islands and Hinchinbrook Island National Park to the north.
The Forts Walk protects the best-preserved WWII coastal defence fortifications in Queensland and is a heritage listed site. A historical interpretive display explains the ruins and building at the site and brings life to the stories of men and women who served on Magnetic Island during the war.
Visit the Forts Walk early in the day—it is cooler, often easier to find a car park and koalas and other wildlife are more active. Be aware! The Forts circuit section at the top of the walk is step with many steps.
You can continue on from the top of the Forts Circuit to Florence Bay or join Route 2.
Keep koalas wild!
- Do not touch or disturb koalas! Stay back, give koalas space.
- It's normal for koalas to be low in the trees and sometimes on the ground, especially in hot weather. This is how they beat the heat.
- Never touch, feed or give koalas water.
- Do not wake sleeping koalas. They need at least 20hr of sleep per day.
Getting there and getting around
The Forts Walk is accessible from the Forts Junction.
Wheelchair access
There is no wheelchair-accessible facilities on this walk.
Before you visit
Opening hours
The Forts Walk is open 24 hours a day.
Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.
Visiting safely
For more safety information see Visiting Magnetic Island safely and Walk with care.
- There are currently no park alerts for this park.