Lifeguard Hours & Stinger Nets
Lifeguard Hours and Status
Information has been provided courtesy of Surf Life Saving Queensland.
Alma Bay, Magnetic Island
There is one lifeguard and no stinger nets in use on this beach.
Start time may vary due to lifeguards conducting stinger drags and net checks at other beaches during stinger season 1 November - 31 May.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Every day all year |
Monday to Sunday Christmas School Holidays | 8:15am to 4:15pm 8:15am to 4:45pm |
Services may be subject to change.
Balgal Beach
There is one lifeguard present during Christmas and Easter holidays. Stinger nets are in use on this beach.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 24 December - 2 January Easter Weekend (4 days) | Daily |
9am to 5pm 9am to 5pm |
Services may be subject to change.
Bushland Beach
There are no lifeguards and no stinger nets in use on this beach.
Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island
There is one lifeguard and stinger nets are in use on this beach.
Start time may vary due to lifeguards conducting stinger drags and net checks at other beaches during stinger season 1 November - 31 May.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Every day all year | Monday to Sunday Christmas School Holidays | 8:15am to 4:15pm 8:15am to 4:45pm |
Services may be subject to change.
Magnetic Island Roving Lifeguard
Systematic patrols by roving lifeguard of all Magnetic Island beaches by vehicle and jet ski.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| November - May and School Holidays |
Monday - Sunday Christmas School Holidays |
8:15am to 4:15pm 8:15am to 4:45pm |
Services may be subject to change.
Pallarenda Beach
There is one lifeguard present during Christmas and Easter school holidays. Stinger nets are in use on this beach.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas and Easter School Holidays | Monday - Sunday | 9am to 5pm |
Services may be subject to change.
Picnic Bay, Magnetic Island
There is no lifeguard service on this beach, though volunteers patrol from 1 September - 31 May. The beach is covered by the emergency call beacon deployed by Magnetic Island Rove during all Queensland school holidays. Stinger nets are in use at this beach.
Riverway Lagoons
There are 4 lifeguards. Hours will vary due to seasonal requirements. See Riverway Lagoons for lifeguard hours.
Rollingstone Beach
There are no lifeguards and no stinger nets in use on this beach.
Saunders Beach
There are no lifeguards and no stinger nets in use on this beach.
The Strand Net 1
There are 1-2 lifeguards.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Every day all year |
Monday - Sunday Christmas School Holidays |
9am to 5pm 9am to 6pm |
Services may be subject to change.
The Strand Net 2
There is one lifeguard. Winter months and public holidays not manned – beacon on site.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| September - May |
Monday - Sunday Christmas School Holidays |
9am to 5pm 9am to 6pm |
Services may be subject to change.
The Strand Rockpool
There are 1-2 lifeguards present 6 days a week, closed Wednesday for maintenance.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Every day all year | Monday - Sunday Easter & September School Holidays Christmas School Holidays Closed Wednesday | 9am to 5pm 9am to 5pm 9am to 6pm |
Services may be subject to change.
The Strand Roving Lifeguard
Roving Lifeguard commences at 9am and ends when the Strand Water Park closes on weekends, public holidays, and Queensland holidays.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| November - April May - October |
Monday - Friday Monday - Friday Weekends, Public & School Holidays | 9am to 5:30pm 9:30am to 7:30pm Same time as Water Park Lifeguard hours. |
Services may be subject to change.
The Strand Water Park
Two lifeguards are present on weekends from September to April and 6 days per week during Easter, September and Christmas school holidays, with one lifeguard present at other times. Closed on Tuesdays for maintenance, excluding Queensland State School holidays and public holidays.
| Dates | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| November - April May - October | Wednesday - Monday Wednesday - Monday Closed Tuesday except during Queensland State School Holidays |
9am to 7pm 9am to 5pm |
Services may be subject to change.
Toomulla Beach
There are no lifeguards and no stinger nets in use on this beach.
Stinger Nets
Stinger nets are installed at many of Townsville's beaches over the stinger season, which runs from November to May. Nets are only removed after the stinger season ends and once no stingers are caught in daily net drags for 14 days.
Stinger nets are installed at:
- The Strand (north and south),
- Pallarenda,
- Balgal Beach,
- Horseshoe Bay; and
- Picnic Bay.
