Cockle Bay, Magnetic Island Travel Guide

4.5 (70)

Discover Cockle Bay on Magnetic Island: a serene escape where a historic shipwreck has become a haven for nature and a photographer's dream.

Cockle Bay, nestled on the southwestern corner of Magnetic Island, offers a serene escape with a unique attraction: the wreck of the SS City of Adelaide. This historic shipwreck, now an artificial island teeming with plant and bird life, lies just offshore, accessible on foot during low tide.

A brief summary to Cockle Bay

Magnetic Island, lot, 4819, LOT/106 W Point Rd, Picnic Bay, QLD, 4805, AU

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Cockle Bay.

Check the tide times before visiting Cockle Bay to walk to the SS City of Adelaide wreck during low tide.
Wear sturdy shoes if you plan to walk out to the shipwreck, as the seabed can be uneven and rocky.
Bring your camera to capture the unique beauty of the SS City of Adelaide wreck, especially during sunset.
Explore the mangrove forests and saltmarshes surrounding Cockle Bay to discover the diverse plant and animal life.

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Explore Cockle Bay on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Cockle Bay, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

From Picnic Bay, follow the unsealed road north through the mangrove flats towards West Point. After approximately 2.5km, you will arrive at Cockle Bay. Note that vehicles are prohibited on tidal lands from West Point to Cockle Bay.
Public Transport

Take the 250 bus from Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal to Picnic Bay. From Picnic Bay, follow the unsealed road north through the mangrove flats towards West Point. After approximately 2.5km, you will arrive at Cockle Bay. A single bus ticket costs around $3 - $6.

Discover more about Cockle Bay

Cockle Bay is a peaceful bay located on the southwestern coast of Magnetic Island, near Picnic Bay. It's a place where history and nature intertwine, offering visitors a unique experience. The bay is known for its tranquil atmosphere and the picturesque views it offers.The most notable feature of Cockle Bay is the wreck of the SS City of Adelaide, a former passenger steamer that met its fate in 1915. The ship, built in Glasgow in 1863, had a long and varied career, serving as a passenger vessel, a mail steamer, and later a coal storage hulk. After a fire in 1912, it was being towed to Picnic Bay to be scuttled as a breakwater when it ran aground in Cockle Bay.Over time, the wreck has transformed into an artificial island, with mangroves growing within its hull and providing a habitat for various bird species. At low tide, it's possible to walk out to the wreck and explore this unique landmark. The SS City of Adelaide has become a popular subject for photographers and a symbol of Magnetic Island's maritime heritage.While visiting Cockle Bay, take the time to appreciate the natural beauty of the area. The bay is surrounded by mangrove forests and saltmarshes, which are home to a variety of plant and animal life. The sunsets over Cockle Bay are particularly stunning, casting a golden glow over the water and the shipwreck.