Schoolies 2022: Small groups to hit Magnetic Island, police urge safe partying

A scattering of Schoolies are set to celebrate on Magnetic Island with police warning visiting young revellers to celebrate, but behave.

Magnetic Island will get a small surge in Schoolies visitors celebrating this week. File picture.

A scattering of Schoolies are set to celebrate on Magnetic Island with police urging visiting young revellers to enjoy themselves but celebrate safely.

While most school leavers are set to visit other Queensland destinations including the Gold Coast and Airlie Beach, bookings have been made by small groups over the official celebration week from November 19-25.

Among the providers with Schoolies-related bookings are Dandaloo Gardens and Amaroo on Mandalay, while backpackers including Nomads and Bungalow Bay are booked out for their usual weekend trade.

Youth-focused travel provider Sure Thing has also been offering a Magnetic Island Schoolies package on its website.

Schoolies parties have previously been held in the Alma Bay precinct on Magnetic Island. File picture.

Townsville police patrol group Acting Inspector Mark Hogenelst said resources had not been boosted to coincide with Schoolies celebrations in the region.

But Acting Insp Hogenelst said officers remained ready to respond to any emergency situations or incidents as they arose, and would also be doing its standard patrols in the Townsville safe night precinct.

“We are aware they (Schoolies) are having a great time and out and about at this time of year, and we are there to keep an eye on things and make sure they’re safe,” he said.

“We’re conscious that at this time we need to have officers available to keep people safe, not just for the schoolies, but the entire community going into this time of year with festive celebrations,” he said.

Acting Isp Hogenelst also warned parents to consider the consequences of providing alcohol to their children and other young people, saying it could lead to fines and teens “making bad choices”.

Dandaloo Gardens’ owner Roxanne Browne said her Schoolies bookings had contributed to a massive overall surge for her property during 2022, and visitor numbers had doubled compared to the same time last year.

“It’s been crazy … we’re getting bookings already for next year and through the winter,” she said.

“People are still a bit nervous about going overseas still (due to Covid-19) … they’re driving along the coast, seeing Magnetic Island and thinking, I like that, and they (visitors) are coming back.”

Townsville Enterprise director of visitor economy and marketing Lisa Woolfe said Magnetic Island had seen strong visitor numbers throughout the year and bookings were “really positive” heading into the Christmas and New Year period.

Originally published as Schoolies 2022: Small groups to hit Magnetic Island, police urge safe partying