Nelly Bay Habitat Reserve Walk

The Nelly Bay Habitat Reserve protects a pocket of beach scrub, melaleuca forest and open woodland beside Nelly Bay Road on Magnetic Island, and its interpretive trails are open to dogs on lead.

Lead rules

Dogs must stay on lead at all times. Townsville City Council manages the reserve with the Magnetic Island Nature Care Association, and dogs are there for walking and quiet recreation.

The walk

Trails are mostly natural earth, with some paved accessible sections and viewing platforms. Interpretive art panels point out local birds such as the pied imperial pigeon.

Heavy canopy keeps most of the walk in shade, a real plus in the island heat.

Water and bins

There are freshwater pools and creek sections inside the reserve, but no reliable dog bowls or bubblers on the tracks. Carry water, and pack out waste to the bins at the roadside access points.

Parking is along Nelly Bay Road near the reserve.

Max: This is protected bird habitat. Keep the lead short and your dog on the track, out of the scrub.

Pair it with

Round it off with a coffee at Tropical Tide in Nelly Bay.

When to go

Mornings are cooler and good for birdwatching. The quiet, shaded trails suit calm dogs better than bouncy ones.