Getting Married on Magnetic Island? Here's 5 ways you can help keep Maggie Beautiful

 Getting Married on Magnetic Island? Here's 5 ways you can help keep Maggie Beautiful!

Magnetic Island Weddings are wonderfully memorable moments and We really love having weddings in our Magnetic Island home but remember...

1. It's your home too
Welcome to Magnetic Island or "Maggie”, as locals affectionately call her. We love our *island in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park - and we hope you love her too. We're proud to share her with you and ask that you respect and protect our beautiful and ecologically sensitive island home.

2. Be power wise and minimise waste
When everyone's using electricity at once it's a bit like being stuck in peak hour traffic. On Maggie, our community is working hard to use less electricity. To help you can: 

• Try not to use washing machines, clothes dryers and other energy guzzlers between 6pm and 9pm and turn off lights, turn off phone & ipod chargers, television & sound equipment at the wall when you're not using them.

• When using air conditioners, ensure all windows are closed and the temperature is set to 24 degrees. Turn it off when you leave the room.

• Magnetic Island has little room left in its landfill site so it's important to minimise waste where possible.

• Use refillable water bottles instead of buying bottled water.

• Protect our turtles by tying a knot in your plastic bags. Dispose of all plastic bags responsibly, or even better, don't use one at all.

3. Caring for Maggie
Please take care of our spectacular island which supports a diverse range of anlmal and plant life.

• Help protect Magnetic Island's unique ecology by sticking to the walking tracks when enjoying the many bushwalks around the island.

• Magnetic Island is an important breeding ground for Green and Flat back turtles. From November through to January these sea turtles come ashore to nest on beaches all around the island. 

• Please do not drive on the beach and watch your step to avoid disturbing turtle nests and ensure that turtle hatchlings & other fauna have the best chance of survival.

• Never use soap, toothpaste or detergents in the waterways as these promote the growth of algae and affect the aquatic life and purity of the water.

• Hiding in the marine fortress in the reef below your feet are a whole bunch of creatures-some are fragile, some are ferocious, so please be careful when snorkelling or walking.

• It's preferred you do not feed the Magnetic Island fish or wildlife, and instead allow them to forage for their own food naturally. Artificial Feeding can cause severe illness.

• Reduce your speed limit to 50km/hour to help look after our native wildlife. Koalas were introduced to Maggie in the 1930s and we're privileged to share their habitat.

• Please slow down especially at sundown and at night; it's their island too.

• Please don't throw cigarette butts (or rubbish) out car windows or onto the ground. As well as looking terrible they end up in our waterways and the Great Barrier Reef. Butt it and bin it.

• The Great Barrier Reef is a fishing paradise, but anglers need to be aware of the different marine zones around Magnetic Island - check fishing zones and catch limits at local stores. Old nets, fishing line and hooks can pose health hazards for birds, dolphins and turtles - so please dispose of these responsibl

•  Leave the national park and beaches a little cleaner by picking up any litter or beach debris you find. (it may be a bit cliche but 'leave nothing behind but footprints' - or the Bride & Groom may be subject to a fine or cleanup costs)

4. Support us going green

With over half the island protected as national park, Maggie is unique and we're doing our best to look after it. Have a chat with your accommodation, tour or transport provider, your wedding celebrant or organiser and ask them about their participation in Magnetic
Island's SolarSuburb program. As the only freehold island in the Great Barrier Reef, the island has around 1,700 homes and businesses. Over 1,000 of these buildings have had free energy assessments and many have solar energysystems. 

By supporting those businesses that are committed to sustainability, you'll be caring for our environmentally precious area.

5. Visit the Solar City Smart Lifestyle Centre
Magnetic Island is a recognised Solar Suburb, through the Australian Government's Solar Cities initiative. This project involves working with the local community, businesses and visitors to transform the way we think about and use energy now and into the future. 

The Smart Lifestyle Centre is a great place for locals and visitors to learn about energy efficiency, sustainable living and how to keep Magnetic Island beautiful. So make sure you head over to Horseshoe Bay Road Solar City Smart Lifestyle Centre and have a look!  

Caring for yourself

• Remember to drink plenty of water and protect your skin from the sun by wearing a hat, protective closed-in shoes, sunglasses, cover-up clothing and 30+ sunscreen. It's recommended people carry 2 litres of water with them when using our extensive walking tracks.

• Enjoy Maggie's many beaches safely by swimming between the red and yellow flags and following the instructions of lifesavers and lifeguards.

Be aware that box jellyfish and the potentially deadly Irukandji are found in tropical waters off North Queensland, particularly between October and May. You should wear a protective stinger suit or wetsuit in the water at these times, even when paddling. Alternatively, Magnetic Island has stinger enclosures which are patrolled by lifeguards at Horseshoe Bay and Picnic Bay. Lifeguards also patrol Alma Bay. When diving or snorkelling always speak to the supervisor if you have any concerns. Follow their instructions and ensure you are fit to dive.

• Keep your belongings secure at all times. Maggie's a safe place but it is wise not to leave them on show in your car.

Enjoy your stay and while you are here - help us keep Magnetic island beautiful..

..for when you return.

Important Contact Information
In an emergency
Police, Fire, Ambulance
Dial 000 for 112 from a mobile phone)

Magnetic Island Police Station
7 Granite St. Picnic Bay. Ph: 074778 5270

Magnetic Island Ambulance
54 Kelly St , Nelly Bay. Ph:07 4778 5225

Coastguard -Townsville. Ph: 07 47714831

For Visitor information:
Visitor Informatiom Centre
Flinders Street Mall, Townsville
Pho: 07 4721 3660 or 1800 801 902

Environmental Contacts:
Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service
22 Hurst St. Picnic Bay. Pho: 07 4778 5378

Magnetic Island Fauna Care Organisation (MIFCO)
Pho: 0427 918 130

Sponsors:
Tourism Queensland

Magnetic Island

Townsville Enterprise

Townsville City Council 



* The Blog Author has replaced "We love our World Heritage listed island"with; "We love our island in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park" Around 70% of the island including most beaches is world heritage National Park and the island itself is located in the reef lagoon of the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.