Eight kilometers offshore from Townsville, Australia, lies Magnetic Island. The charming island is easily accessed by ferry or private boat and waiting for Aussies and travelers from around the globe to pay a visit.

Magnetic Island is home to native wildlife, and it hosts Australia’s largest northern population of koalas. If that’s not a reason enough for you to visit this fantastic island, keep on reading and earn more about Australia’s hidden jewel.

Best Time to Visit

Magnetic Island has a sunny, tropical climate with temperatures going up to 90 degrees F in summer. During winter, you can count on slightly milder weather with the highest of 75 degrees. In the summer temperatures won’t go under 75 degrees and 55 degrees in winter. Rainfall is highest from December to March, so if you don’t like wet weather, avoid traveling during these months.

During summer, humidity is similarly high. Peak season in Magnetic Island runs from June to October. The island is also busier on weekends with day-trippers from Townsville, so book your holidays keeping these schedules in mind, if you want to save up. With all of this in mind, the best time to visit is in May or from August to October.

Getting to Magnetic Island

Photo by Pierre-Henry de Soria on Unsplash

Reaching Magnetic Island from Australia’s mainland is relatively easy and affordable. After flying or driving to Townsville all it takes is a ferry ride to the island. You’ll find a top-class Magnetic Island car ferry that operates up to 8 barge departures from Townsville daily. It will not take longer than 40 minutes to reach the island. Ensure your spot on a ferry by booking your ticket in advance. That is especially important if you’re transporting your vehicle with you too.

Magnetic Island Ferries terminal is located on Ross St, South Townsville. Once you’re on the island, you can rent a car, take a taxi, or use the local bus service to start your island journey. Many hotels will offer transfers from the ferry terminal.

Things to do

Once you’re on the island, you’ll have a full spectrum of activities to enjoy. Are you an avid hiker? Magnetic Island offers an array of walking trails for you to explore. Aside from breaking a sweat by walking, you should also make the most of your island vacation and swim the crystalline blue waters of Alma Bay beach. Picnic Bay is another idyllic place to swim, jump off the jetty and beach-comb the shore. When you’re done soaking up the sun, and you want to enjoy fine dining, head to one of Magnetic Island’s premium restaurants.

From Italian to Mexican cuisine, the island offers a full spectrum of tastes for everyone’s preferences. You can also visit the local markets and stock up on fresh food that you can prepare on your own. Are you looking for a thrilling day filled with adventure? Magnetic Island can offer that too, with their breathtaking tours. Go on a discovery tour or dive the blue waters to see dolphins, whales, sea snakes and more.

Getting around the island

Photo by ROMAIN TERPREAU on Unsplash

To make the most of your time on the island, hire a car. Look for fun topless rentals and enjoy driving around the island to see as much of its gorgeous scenery as possible. Get a 4WD and go on an adventure of a lifetime. Some areas of the island are off-limits for hire cars, so check whether you can go to the desired location.

Otherwise, you may face a hefty fine. If you want to avoid driving, a public bus service will be at your disposal. For those who want to brave the hills, a bike is always a convenient and affordable option.

Final thoughts

When you decide to explore Australia, you must put Magnetic Island on the list too. This hidden jewel of Australia that’s only recently become popular holds precious sights and will make you feel like true royalty once you see all of its beauties. Visiting Magnetic Island can be one of the best experiences of your life.

Therefore, try your best to make the most of your visit. Go on a tour, walk, swim, and taste the delicious food that will stay forever in your memory. Have this guide with you on your next visit, and you’ll have the time of your life.

Numerous people move from one home to another every year within the US – but not every move is smooth. The process requires several things to do on the actual day, including informing utilities, changing addresses, packing and transporting. Of course, hiring a quality moving company is essential.

But even the smoothest of moves aren’t immune to shoddy practices or scams. Therefore, you should at least know how to hire a professional moving company so you can effortlessly shift into your new home. Without further delay, here are some helpful tips.

Get a quote

Most moving companies quote their prices based on the number of your items and how much space they will occupy in the truck. Perhaps, a company may visit you to give you a precise estimate. When they do, show them every storage place, every closet, and every room. Even the garage, shed, attic, drawers, and cupboards. This way, the moving company will be able to assess how much stuff they need to transport. If you miss out on some things, get ready for surprises in the future – yep, the price quote may go up. Suppose your moving team arrives and there’s more furniture to pick up. In that case, your movers will obviously charge more than the original price.

Choose a licensed company

Ensure that the company you’re hiring is insured and licensed to handle all aspects of your move – this is very important. If they haven’t worked out their legalities, skipping them would be your best bet. Remember, whatever company you choose, the US Department of Transportation should license them. Just Google the moving company’s license number (USDOT number) and see if they have any complaint history. Are you still confused about finding a licensed organization? Learn more on this site! Also, check if the company provides insurance against any damage it does to your stuff. You don’t want your fragile cookware and decoratives breaking in the process and then not receiving compensation for it.

Compare your needs

Get at least five bids. Then, analyze them and cherry-pick the best for your specific moving situation. Everybody has different needs, so your final decision should always take them into account.

If you’re not packing heavy, oversized items, don’t worry about the type of equipment the company uses to lift bulkier goods. Or the type of truck in which they’ll be moving your stuff. However, if you have a grand piano, hot tub, or pool table, you’ll have to ensure the company can load and move such things safely.

Compare your bids too

Remember, don’t base your decisions entirely on money. Don’t choose companies that offer shockingly low or high prices. If you like a company, but their quote prices seem high, give them a call. Find out why they’re charging so high and if there’s any chance of a discount. Don’t shy away from asking questions. The more details you unearth, the better the whole process.

Perhaps, the company is offering a higher quote because they’ll be renting equipment as they don’t have it on hand. Perhaps, the company is traveling farther to come to you, which is why they’re charging high. Maybe, the company is offering a lower quote because they’re running promotions or discounts – there are many possibilities. Question their pricing, talk to them in detail, and you might be able to get a better, fairer price.

Consider restrictions

Ensure the movers know about any moving guidelines or restrictions. For example, if you’re moving into an apartment, let them know when the elevator is available for moving your boxes and how much load it can carry. If they can’t park during certain times in certain areas, let them know. By informing the movers of possible restrictions, you’ll make the whole process easier for yourself and them.

Create an inventory list

Heck, it’s a cumbersome task but mandatory. Creating a list will not just help you keep track of your belongings, it will also help you get an accurate estimate of the entire process. Take inventory of every belonging that you’re moving from point A to B. you can use apps to simplify this process. Once you have created this list, you’ll be able to plan the move along with your company better. You’ll also ensure that nothing gets lost in the process.

While letting the movers know what belongings will be moved is paramount, letting them know what belongings shouldn’t be moved is equally essential. If you have items that you’ll sell or donate or leave behind for new homeowners, there’s no point in paying for them.

Research and review

While you’re on the hunt for finding the best moving company, always check their website. If you like it, research more. Go through their LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other social media channels. Also, read their Google reviews too for extra insight into the company’s reputation.

While you’re reading customer reviews, look out for some red flags. If multiple customers report at least one of the following, consider another company:

• An organization holding their belongings hostage for additional money
• Unexpected delays
• Hidden or last-minute charges
• Damage

Conclusion

Choosing the right moving company makes your transition into your new home a stress-free, straightforward process. So, instead of randomly calling a moving company and getting things done in a hurry, take your time to do the research and then select a mover you can count on. Evaluate companies by reading online reviews. Maintain a list of your belongings to assess your needs and ensure safety. Get quotes from multiple companies and compare prices to get the best deal. Last but not least, always opt for a licensed service provider.

Packing and moving to a new house is both hectic and stressful, but at the same time, it is exciting. As the day finally comes near, your days get busier as you make lists, redo them, and sort out every pending task. But there are some vital steps to moving to make sure that you don’t face difficulties when you move. You will need some packing supplies throughout the packing process and after you move to your new home.

The following are the seven must-have packing essentials for a quick move:

A Moving Folder

From the moment you sign the papers for your new home, you need to start making a moving folder. Collect all the addresses, copies of the contract, your home’s purchasing paper, or rental papers. Keeping a hard copy in your hand is more beneficial than a digital copy. If any problem or questions arise when you move, your documents will help you out a lot. You will have all the details and proof of every contract you made and all the payments. So having a moving folder with a compilation of every vital document will save you from many hassles.

Packing Supplies

It is an obvious essential, but keeping all packing essentials on hand will save you many troubles and trips to the store. Packing essentials include moving boxes, packing tape, tape dispenser, stretch wrap, bubble wrap, packing paper, box cutters and scissors, labels and markers, dividers, and garbage bags.

Having all these essentials at hand will mean that you can pack your things quickly and keep them safe. Keep bubble wraps and Styrofoam peanuts with you when you pack fragile items; when it comes to boxes, control boxes of all shapes and sizes. But each box should not exceed the weight limit of 50 pounds. Once you have packed all the essentials, make sure you dump all the garbage out.

If there is furniture at your home that you don’t need immediately in the new house or fragile items, you can take it out later. In that case, consider finding a storage facility near your home. The latest Self-storage units come with a climate control feature and added locks to prevent theft. Also, if you are making a long-distance move, Storing fragile items in a storage unit is best.

An Essentials Tool Kit

Before you empty your garage and pack each and everything, separate some essential tools you will need before and after the move. These tools include screwdrivers, ranch, hammer, grip pliers, nails, and screws. Having a few tools on hand means that you can easily take apart things from your home and put them back together in the new house. You won’t need to go through boxes of tools and other stuff to find a single screwdriver if you want to fix a squeaking door.

Cleaning Supplies

Leaving a messy home or apartment when you go is not even an option. You have to clean the space when you move out and clean the house you move into. So keep your cleaning supplies separate from all other boxes. Spare a couple of containers and pack all the essential cleaning supplies. That way, you can easily clean the place when you move in.

Kitchen Utensils

You can’t stop eating or drinking even when you have to move. Keep that in mind when you pack all of your kitchen utensils and crockery. Prepare a separate box of essential kitchen supplies that include a couple of knives, spoons, forks, plates, bowls, cups, glasses, and cooking pots. This box will help you set up a functioning kitchen immediately so that you won’t have to struggle with taking out and paper plates until you unpack everything.

Personal Care Items

You can’t unpack so quickly after a tiring move. So until then, you need to live in a place cluttered with several unpacked moving boxes. During that time, you will need immediate usage of personal items. So pack a box with the essential things that you may need daily. For example, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, and a hairbrush.

Necessary Clothing Items

You can’t unpack your whole wardrobe all at once when you move in. So separate some home and work clothes from your boxes and keep them in your essential items bag. Having a few clean clothes to change into when you’re tired and sweaty from the move will be a significant relief.

Conclusion

Moving is stressful, but keeping the points mentioned above in mind can help you make this process easier. It takes weeks to pack and then weeks to unpack a home. If you have all the necessary items on you, your move will become easier. Make sure that the packing anxiety does not override your joy of enjoying your new home.