Down Under Diary #8 · Magnetic Island: Barbie Car, Wild Koala Hunts, & the Campervan Breakdown Finale

G’Day and welcome back to the final chapter of the Down Under Diary!  This post is all about a tiny island, a pink rental car, a koala hunt, and one of the wildest evenings of our trip. And let’s be honest – no Aussie adventure is complete without a few unexpected animals (and even more unexpected fails). Little did we know what kind of chaos – and magic – Magnetic Island and Townsville had in store for us!

May 9, 13:00 · Arrival in Townsville 🦎

After nearly three hours on the road, we finally rolled into Townsville Lakes Holiday Park. But after reading reviews on WikiCamps – including one that mentioned a crocodile sighting in the nearby lake – we suddenly weren’t so sure about our choice. The receptionist reassured us (hopefully truthfully) that the croc no longer lived there. Unfortunately, she also had some bad news: only ensuite sites were left. A bit more expensive, yes – but for us, it turned out to be a win. We scored our own private bathroom (with a resident gecko at no extra charge)!

May 9, 13:00 · Exploring Townsville 🏙️

In the afternoon, we strolled through Townsville, treated ourselves to ice cream, and discovered a few hidden treasures in a thrift shop – including a slightly questionable board game “the couples game” (although we were just four girls). But the weirdest part? Absolutely no people, Townsville felt like a proper ghost town – shops closed, streets empty, not a soul in sight. Probably we missed yet another Aussie public holiday. We eventually landed at the harbor and beach area and then headed back to camp just in time for the sunset. Simona whipped up a delicious Pasta Primavera, and later that evening we gave the thrifted board game a try – part confusion and part laughter.

May 10, 08:00 · Barbie Vibes 🩷

Time for island adventures! We hopped on the ferry from Townsville to Magnetic Island – booked via GetYourGuide – and arrived after a while in Nelly Bay. First mission: picking up our rental from Tropical Topless, the island’s most unusual car rental spot. A tour promoter we met in Airlie Beach (who’d already sold us another adventure) told us to reserve a car there. But we were skeptical: no website, inactive socials, and cash only? Seemed a bit sketchy, but we figured we had nothing to lose. Turns out, it was legit and home to the most iconic car we’ve ever driven: a bubblegum pink convertible with no roof. Yep, totally topless. Luckily, the sun was shining. Three groups arrived at once, and since we were last, we didn’t get to choose our car. The others ended up with even brighter colors! And because only Vanessa was 25, she was the only one allowed to drive, despite Simona and Sabrina being way more experienced with manuals. The trip started with a squeaky clutch, a bumpy pull-off, and the rental guy yelling after us: “Clutch! Press the clutch!”

May 10, 09:30 · Picnic Bay 🏝️

Our first stop: Picnic Bay just at the other end of the village. Cute, but honestly not the most exciting beach. And to top it off, it was absolutely packed – not just with a school class, an entire college group. So there we were: four girls, one pink Barbie car, and 22 km of paved roads ahead. With 25 km included in our rental, we had just enough to make one full loop around the island. After a solid round of debating and map-checking to plan the most efficient route, we come up with the perfect itinerary. But there was still the struggle with the stubborn car, Sabrina and Simona made a few loops around the parking lot to help figure out the quirks of the clutch.

May 10, 10:00 · Forts Walk 🐨

Now that we’d finally figured out the clutch and quirks of our Barbie car, it was time for our first real highlight: the Forts Walk, a scenic hiking trail through Magnetic Island National Park known for its historic World War II sites — and even more famous for wild koala sightings. Full of excitement, we hiked along the trail, eyes wide open, necks stretched, scanning every eucalyptus tree. But… nothing. Not a single fluffy ball of fur. We even started asking every group of hikers coming toward us if they’d spotted one. But either no one had, or they weren’t sharing their secrets. Eventually, someone gave us a solid tip: “Don’t just stick to the main trail,  take the little off-path tracks. That’s where they often hang out.” Desperate for a sighting, we veered off-road and made our way through the bush, stepping over rocks and dry branches.

Just when we were about to give up, saying the classic “okay, one last try”… there it was: a koala, sitting sleepily in his eucalyptus tree. The moment was pure magic: quiet, still, and surreal. We stood in awe, watching as the koala blinked slowly and nestled further into the crook of the branch. Just us, nature, and this sleepy little creature in its home. We snapped a few photos before a wave of other tourists noticed our excitement and joined in. Koala mission: accomplished!

May 10, 12:30 · Lunch at Horseshoe Bay 📸

Next stop: Horseshoe Bay – the island’s most vibrant beach town and, the perfect place for a midday break. We picked up some burgers from a local takeaway joint and wandered along the palm-lined shore, soaking up the relaxed island vibes. Of course, we couldn’t leave without trying to snap that instagramable photo with our iconic Barbie-pink car, perfectly posed on the beach, sunshine glowing, and the sea in the background. So we rolled the car out of its parking spot and set up our tripod, determined to recreate the moment. But between the wobbly ground, wind, and some truly questionable angles, it quickly turned into a comedy show. We just couldn’t get a single shot where everyone looked halfway decent, or was even in the frame. Luckily, a kind woman nearby must’ve witnessed our struggle and came to the rescue! Oh, and did we mention? The car had no reverse gear – so when we needed to park backwards, someone had to hop out and push.

May 10, 14:00 · Meeting the Rock Wallabies 🦘

But now, off to the second highlight on our way back. While cruising along Magnetic Island’s scenic roads, we finally found a purpose for our not-so-useful tripod: at least it was enough for a selfie stick. Perched in the Barbie car, we filmed ourselves with wind in our hair rolling along the coastline. Definitely a core memory. At Geoffrey Bay, we met the island’s most legendary locals: the rock wallabies (basically tiny, adorable kangaroos). And they didn’t disappoint. As we approached the boulders, little faces began peeking out from behind the rocks. According to the official island brochure, it’s okay to feed them pieces of apples or carrots. Well, we had two apples, but no knife. So we did what had to be done: we bit off chunks ourselves and spit them out to share between us and the wallabies. Yes, it sounds gross now, but in that moment, we honestly didn’t care. We weren’t the only ones underprepared either. Two other guys nearby looked longingly at our apples, we offered them some chewed-up pieces too. Imagine that: complete strangers bonding over apple bits – incredible what tourists are willing to do for a moment with the wildlife. But it paid off: some wallabies even let us gently pet them. Though, not all were polite, some were cheeky little creatures and scratched us impatiently.

May 10, 16:00 · Bushfires 🔥

After one last seaside photo session with our pink car, it was time to return it and grab some drinks at a cozy café while waiting for the ferry. From there, we even spotted a bushfire burning in the distance within the national park! We just hope they could extinguish it. On the ferry back, Sabrina sat outside (in the wind) and the others inside, while I was going over some questions for my job interview later at the evening. 

May 10, 18:00 · Mess #1 🚌 

Back at the Townsville campsite, the universe clearly wasn’t done with us yet – the most chaotic evening was still to come. The camper’s sunshade collapsed during the day because we forgot to roll it in, altough we jocked several times about the a giant sticker warning that any damage would cost us AUD 4000. We somehow managed to roll it back up without breaking it. After that scare, we didn’t touch it for the rest of the trip – partly because we were afraid to break it for real, and partly because we were scared it was already broken.

May 10, 19:00 · Mess #2 🐜

Second, insect invasion: our motorhome was swarmed by hundreds, maybe thousands, of what we thought were mosquitoes. Armed with flip-flops, we tried to fight back. The camper’s side looked like a battlefield, but we didn’t stand a chance. Once the chaos settled, we realized they weren’t mosquitoes at all, but winged ants. Later, the technician (you’ll get to know him shortly) explained it was their mating flight – when future queens and males swarm out to start new colonies.

May 10, 19:30 · Mess #3 🚱

Third, during cooking – and while I was showering and getting ready for my job interview that night – the campervan tap suddenly stopped working. We refilled the water tank, but still nothing. So we asked a friendly neighbor for help, who luckily turned out to be a technician. He started searching for the flap that gives access to the water system and pump: outside and under the van, below the sink, the dining area, the bathroom … The whole search turned our camper into total chaos. First, we moved everything from the dining area to the bed, then all the kitchen drawers and utensils to the dining space and back again. Taking things outside wasn’t an option due to the flying ants. Next, everything from the bathroom had to go to the bed. The man was speechless when he saw what we had stored there: four suitcases, four backpacks, spare sheets, mattress extensions, cushions – you name it. When the pump wasn’t there either, we had to move Vanessa and Sabrina’s bed next (plus everything piled on top of it). Meanwhile, my job interview at 21:30 was getting closer and my stress level higher. We ended up eating dinner in shifts in the middle of the chaos. But at least – finally – the flap with access to the water pump was under the bed. The neighbor confirmed the pump was broken and even helped us report it to the rental company’s emergency service. They promised to fix it the next day. Until then, we had to wash up elsewhere – but Vanessa had the brilliant idea to run the hose through the window straight into the campervan. And yes, we sealed the window gap with so much tape that not a single flying ant could get through.

May 10, 21:30 · Mess #4 👩🏼‍💻

Fourth, with the campervan in total chaos, doing the interview inside was no longer an option – and it was starting in 20 minutes. I threw on my most elegant t-shirt and nicest jacket (okay, the only jacket I had besides a raincoat), packed up my things, and spontaneously relocated to the campsite’s laundry room. At least it was clean and quiet there. With just a few minutes left, I taped a note to the door asking people to keep quiet. Thankfully, it all worked out – the interview started smoothly, and the internet connection was nearly perfect. And two days later I even got the job – fastest interview process ever!

May 11, 09:00 · Campervan Repair 🛠️

After a restless night, we finally got the call: a repair garage was ready for us. While the water pump was being fixed, we explored the lot filled with luxury caravans for sale – and quickly fell in love with a few of them. Just as we were almost ready to trade up, the pump was successfully repaired (a bit disappointing, if we’re honest). We even received a replacement adapter for the water hose, which had either been lost or stolen. And so, we continued our journey with Köbi – named after the license plate: KB10X.

Goodbye and Thank you!

After chasing remote beaches, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, flying over Whitsunday Islands, and spotting our first wild koala, this marks the final blog article of our unforgettable 6-week road trip through Australia’s East Coast. From Sydney to Cairns, we shared our most exciting travel adventures, useful tips, hidden gems – and, of course, all the chaos, fails, and unforgettable moments in between. Writing this 8-part blog series has been a real joy, and we hope it brought a smile to your face, sparked a bit of wanderlust, and maybe even helped you plan your own Down Under escape. But while this may be the last post of the series, our journey is far from over. Australia has a way of leaving its mark – and we already know: we’ll be back. Thank you for reading, commenting and traveling along with us!

Missed a Blog Post?

No worries! Catch up on all the Down Under Diary adventures here:

• 🌴 #1 G’Day: The Ultimate Australia’s East Coast Road Trip
• 🏄🏼‍♂️ #2 Sydney: Giant Spiders, Jetlag, & the Great Easter Brekkie Fail 
• 🦘 #3 Emerald Beach: Campervan Issues, Kangaroos, & the Surprise Visit on the Dunny  
• 🌊 #4 Noosa: Rain Disaster, Desperate Cash Hunt, & the Coastal Walk with(out) View 
• 🐕 #5 Fraser Island: Guided Adventure Tour, Dingos, & the Champagne Pools (with Video!) 
• 🌅 #6 Cape Hillsborough: Digital Detox, Failed Job Interviews, & the Sunrise Kangaroo Dream 
• 🩵 #7 Airlie Beach: Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach Paradise, & the Scenic Flight (with Videos!)
• 🐨 #8 Magnetic Island: Barbie Car, Wild Koala Hunts, & the Campervan Breakdown Finale (this blog article)

VIEW ALL ADVENTURES

Thanks for following along, cheers from Magnetic Island and goodbye! 
Yours, Géraldine 👋🏻👩🏼‍🦱🐨