The History of our Magnetic Island Accommodation

A colourful past.

Formerly known as Centaur House this property has been upgraded and maintained as a hostel style of accommodation over its life on Magnetic Island. It was named ‘Centaur’ by the trustees, as a memorial after the hospital ship which was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine, on 14 May 1943, 50 miles off the coast of Brisbane, during WWII.

The land, first purchased in 1929, was transferred to the Townsville Hospital for management by trustee. The original building was constructed in 1946 and opened as a nurses holiday hostel in 1947. Nurses from the Townsville region were able to visit Magnetic Island and stay at the hostel for a small price, later, this was extended to include any registered nurse.

In 1963 a woman recognised the need for a budget style hostel accommodation on Magnetic island, and leased the property from the owner. ‘Backpackers’ accommodation was started. The rules and style were more relaxed than the structured methods of the YHA hostels available. So much so, the YHA hostels have modified their style to accommodate the ever increasing new breed of travellers - the backpacker.

The house has been sold on to private people who have continued the tradition of the business, with each person adding their own influence. The current owners have kept with that tradition, and have modernised the facilities introducing a new standard that includes semi self-contained bed and breakfast to accommodate the various travellers of today.

As the house was originally built as a ‘holiday hostel’ it pre-dates the first YHA that provided accommodation in Australia.