The Great Island Trek

About the Event

The Great Island Trek returns to Magnetic Island on August 8th, 2026 in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. This fully supported trekking adventure offers a variety of distances for participants to choose from: the All-Ability 5km and longer routes including 12km, 18km, and 25km. Each route allows you to explore Magnetic Island’s breathtaking beauty at your own pace.

12km Child - 7:45am wave start
Start: 06:30:00 • Fee: $49.50

12km Child - 8:00am wave start
Start: 06:30:00 • Fee: $49.50

12km Adult - 7:45am wave start
12km • Start: 06:30:00 • Fee: $79.20

12km Adult - 8:00am wave start
12km • Start: 06:30:00 • Fee: $79.20

18km 7:00am wave start
18km • Start: 06:30:00 • Fee: $88.00

18km 7:30am wave
18km • Start: 06:30:00 • Fee: $88.00

25km - 6:30am
Start: 06:30:00 • Fee: $95.70

5km All-Ability - 9:30am
5km • Start: 06:30:00 • Fee: $49.60

Race morning finds runners gathering on Magnetic Island under an overcast sky with temperatures around 21°C, feeling slightly humid but comfortable as the humidity is just 72%. A light breeze of about 11 km/h will be present, providing a gentle nudge for those starting their trek. The island’s lush greenery and diverse flora create a vibrant atmosphere that is both invigorating and serene.
The Great Island Trek has been running its course since 2016, marking its 10th birthday this year with an expanded race schedule and community celebration. The event supports Fuel for Schools, raising funds to provide educational resources in local schools, making it a deeply meaningful experience for both participants and the broader Townsville community.
The trek will begin at various times from 6:30 am onwards across different routes. For instance, the All-Ability 5km starts at 9:30 am, while longer distances like the 12km have two starting waves – one at 7:45 and another at 8:00 am. The 18km offers options to start early at either 7:00 or 7:30 am. Participants in these routes will enjoy fully supported walks with fruit and hydration stations provided by Woolworths Townsville, along with professional photography and bag transfer services.
Register now for the Great Island Trek via https://raceroster.com/events/2026/115665/the-great-island-trek. Fees range from $49.60 to $95.70 depending on your chosen distance, with early bird discounts available until June 30th, 2026. On race day, pick up your bib at the event hub by 8:15 am and ensure you bring valid photo ID if required.
The trek concludes with a celebratory party known as TrekFest hosted at Nomads from 12 pm onwards, where attendees can enjoy food, drinks, live music, and games. A chartered bus will transfer participants back to the Nelly Bay Ferry terminal after the event for convenient travel home or further exploration of Magnetic Island.
The Great Island Trek is a testament to community spirit and environmental appreciation, making it worth your time as you contribute towards educational initiatives while enjoying nature’s beauty on this tropical island.

Races Offered

12km Child - 7:45am wave start

Aug 08, 2026

straighten

Distance — 12km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

06:30

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$49.50

12km Child - 8:00am wave start

Aug 08, 2026

straighten

Distance — 12km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

06:30

sell

$49.50

12km Adult - 7:45am wave start

Aug 08, 2026

straighten

Distance — 12km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

06:30

sell

$79.20

12km Adult - 8:00am wave start

Aug 08, 2026

straighten

Distance — 12km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

06:30

sell

$79.20

18km 7:00am wave start

Aug 08, 2026

straighten

Distance — 18km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

06:30

sell

$88.00

18km 7:30am wave

Aug 08, 2026

straighten

Distance — 18km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

06:30

sell

$88.00

25km - 6:30am

Aug 08, 2026

straighten

Distance — 25km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

06:30

sell

$95.70

5km All-Ability - 9:30am

Aug 08, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

06:30

sell

$49.60

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for August in Townsville.

thermostat Temperature

16.4° / 25.5°

wb_sunny Feels like

16.1° / 24.3°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

10h 40m

water_drop Avg rainfall

0.8 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

11.0 km/h (Light breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

High

terrain Course conditions

Hard and dry surface

sunny Max UV Index

Very High (8.4)

humidity_mid Humidity

72.1%

wb_twilight Sunrise

06:31

nightlight Sunset

18:00

About Townsville

Learn more about the host city, Townsville.

Townsville is a laid-back coastal city of over 173,724 people (2021) in North Central Queensland. Townsville is on the coast and enjoys an average of 320 days of sunshine a year. It is an appealing place for locals and a great jumping off point for visitors, especially to Magnetic Island which is only 25 minutes by passenger or car ferry. A great spot for visitors wanting a taste of rural Australia while not venturing far from the coast.