Magnetic attraction
AMANDA Lawrence has been working as a bartender at Magnetic Island’s Marlin Bar for 11 years.
Originally from Melbourne, Ms Lawrence, 38, travelled to the tropical hotspot for a holiday with her partner 14 years ago.
She was visiting her family, who ran a watersports business in Horseshoe Bay.
Nine months later, Ms Lawrence headed back to Magnetic Island, swapping bustling suburbia for the island lifestyle.
“A lot of people who come here fall in love with the island and the lifestyle, it’s pretty cruisy … as long as you get work it’s good,” she said.
Most of the Marlin Bar staff are island locals, with just one staff member from Townsville.
“Most people who work here are locals … but you get backpackers every now and again,” Ms Lawrence said.
Marlin Bar has been around since 1998 and although tourists help to drive business, some locals have been visiting for years.
“Locals usually come over to the island on weekends on jet-skis. You get the same sort of locals coming in for happy hour … there are a lot of favourites I have served over the years, who remember me.”
The spacious bar accommodates lots of families, while the party people and backpackers tend to head over to Nelly Bay.
“Horseshoe Bay is a bit quieter, backpackers head over to Hostel Base at Nelly Bay for full moon parties,” Ms Lawrence said.
Both Marlin Bar and the Picnic Bay Hotel, on the other side of the island, share the same owner.
The Picnic Bay Hotel has a sports bar and the R&R restaurant, which offers a more fine dining experience.
Marlin is more bistro oriented, blasting great music and a friendly atmosphere.
So friendly that local wildlife has been known to roam the bar looking for a drink. A few years ago a koala walked into the bar, brushing past barrels, scared of the rain that was pouring outside as well as the people inside.
The odd curlew has also been spotted at the bar, coming in and scouting for food.