Aquascene Magnetic Island Sunset and Shipwreck Tour Departing Nelly Bay

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A two-hour sunset cruise along Magnetic Island's coast to the rusting wreck of the SS City of Adelaide, an 1863 steamship that ran aground off Cockle Bay in 1916, timed for the nights when high tide and sunset line up. Bring your own drinks and nibbles.

Days

About 2 hours

Age

Older children and adults

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Nelly Bay / Cockle Bay wreck / Nelly Bay

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Catamaran

Meals

No meals are included; bring your own drinks and nibbles

Route

Map of Aquascene Magnetic Island Sunset and Shipwreck Tour Departing Nelly Bay

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Included experiences

SS City of Adelaide — see the 1863 wreck off Cockle Bay at sunset
Magnetic Island coast — cruise from Nelly Bay to Cockle Bay
Shipwreck stories — the history of wrecks along the way
Bird life — watch the birds settle at dusk

Aquascene Magnetic Island Sunset and Shipwreck Tour Departing Nelly Bay

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

LATE AFTERNOON: ALL ABOARD AT NELLY BAY

This cruise only runs on a few evenings a month between April and August, when a high tide and the sunset come together. You meet the crew on the boardwalk in front of Peppers Resort at Nelly Bay, look for the Aquascene sign, and they walk you to the boat. From April to the end of July that means meeting at 4:15pm for a 4:30pm departure, and later in the season the time moves with the sunset. Bring your own drinks and nibbles, alcohol included. This is a stay-on-board trip, so there is no swimming and nothing to change into.

ALONG THE SOUTHERN COAST TO COCKLE BAY

The catamaran follows the coast south-west from Nelly Bay towards Cockle Bay, and your hosts, the Hinks family, tell the stories of the ships wrecked along this shore. You pass Picnic Bay, where the City of Adelaide was meant to end her days as a breakwater. As the light softens, watch the bird life settling for the evening along the rocks and mangroves. Magnetic Island takes its name from James Cook, who in 1770 believed it was throwing out his ship's compass, though no one since has found anything magnetic about it.

SUNSET AT THE CITY OF ADELAIDE

The goal is the wreck of the SS City of Adelaide, about 300 metres off Cockle Bay. Built in Glasgow in 1863, she carried travellers between Melbourne, Sydney, Honolulu and San Francisco, then lost her engines to become a sailing barque, then a coal hulk, and was gutted by fire in 1912. In 1916, under tow to Picnic Bay, she ran aground here. The RAAF used her for bombing practice in the Second World War, and in 1942 a Beaufort bomber clipped a mast and crashed, killing four airmen. Cyclone Althea brought down part of the hull in 1971, and what remains is now a small island of plants and birds, best seen as the sun goes down behind it.

BACK IN THE DUSK

With the photos taken, the boat turns for home and you cruise back along the coast in the last of the light, reaching Nelly Bay about two hours after you left.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: In front of Peppers Resort on the Nelly Bay boardwalk, Magnetic Island, about a minute's walk left of the ferry terminal. Look for the Aquascene sign; the crew will walk you to the boat.
Departure time: Selected evenings from April to August, set by the tides and sunset. From April to the end of July, meet at 4:15pm for a 4:30pm departure; your time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 2 hours.
Suits: Adults and older children; children 5 to 14 pay the child rate. Toddlers and very young children are not recommended.
Accessibility: Wheelchairs and walkers can come aboard (not motorised wheelchairs) if you can manage one step onto the boat. The boat has a shaded deck and an accessible toilet, and assistance dogs are welcome. An accessibility form is needed when you book.
Please note: Runs only when guest numbers and the weather allow. You can't join the tour if you are unwell; let us know as soon as you can and you will be offered a refund or another date. If the operator cancels for weather, you are offered another evening or a full refund.

What to bring

Your own drinks and nibbles
Comfortable casual clothing
Camera
A jacket or jumper from May to September

What is included

2-hour sunset cruise from Nelly Bay to Cockle Bay
Visit to the SS City of Adelaide shipwreck at sunset
Stories and history of the shipwrecks along the coast
Commentary from the Aquascene crew

Not included

Ferry to Magnetic Island
Food and drinks (bring your own; alcohol is fine)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 4 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

The sunset tour is a must-do, with breathtaking views to Magnetic Island as the sky changes colour and a chance to spot wildlife. Adam's entertaining commentary, full of local knowledge and humour, makes it far more than a scenic cruise.

Sarah Chapman Verified· Travelled 28th March 2026

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(5/5)

We did the sunset and shipwreck tour last night and Adam was brilliant, with plenty of history told well.

Samantha King Verified· Travelled 13th March 2026

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(5/5)

My husband and I were squeezed in as a late booking for the sunset and shipwreck tour. Adam's passion and knowledge made the cruise, and the song he played for the shipwreck was beautiful and moving.

Joanna Verified· Travelled 13th March 2026

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(5/5)

As a local I loved the Sunset and Shipwreck tour with Kalvin, who was happy to answer every question. We circled the shipwreck before anchoring with our own drinks and nibbles to learn its story, and the song and the sunset were perfect touches.

Hayley Simpson Verified· Travelled 7th April 2025

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