Lodestone is the 'all-rounder' of the Townsville day-trip reefs and one of the three reefs Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive chooses between on its regular trips, along with John Brewer and Keeper. It sits about 23 nm west of Wheeler Reef, 8 nm from Keeper and 16 nm from Helix, and is zoned Habitat Protection (dark blue). The reef combines two quite different experiences.

Inside, a sheltered lagoon is ringed by a shallow reef wall broken by channels – the 'drains' – where water flows in and out with the tide. Visibility in the lagoon can reach 25 m, and the sandy floor with coral bommies is ideal for snorkellers, introductory divers and training dives. Big schools of trevally and baitfish move through, and parrotfish, Maori wrasse, clownfish in their anemones and angelfish are everywhere.

On the seaward side the reef becomes more structured: coral canyons run out to the sand, detached bommies stand in 15–18 m, and some gutters are partly roofed, giving short swim-throughs. This is where experienced divers will want to spend their time, looking for leopard sharks and white-tips resting on the sand, turtles, stingrays, and macro life such as nudibranchs, flatworms and anemone shrimps. Lodestone took a hit from Cyclone Yasi in 2011 and local divers still note patches of damage, but the reef is described as having colourful coral gardens again and good fish life.

Occasional lost fishing tackle turns up, as the Habitat Protection zoning allows line fishing. For visitors with one day on the Townsville reefs, Lodestone is a solid choice: something for snorkellers and beginners in the lagoon, enough relief and life outside to keep experienced divers busy, and a relatively short run (about 2 hours plus) compared with Wheeler or Davies.

Boat only. Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive departs the Fuel Wharf at Breakwater Marina, Townsville, at about 7:00 am and picks up at the Nelly Bay ferry terminal on Magnetic Island at about 7:50 am; the run out to the mid-shelf reefs (John Brewer, Lodestone, Keeper, Helix, Wheeler) takes roughly 2–2.5 hours each way depending on sea state, and the reef is chosen on the day to suit wind and tide. Paid parking is available around Breakwater Marina and the Townsville ferry terminals; Magnetic Island guests catch an early SeaLink ferry or walk to the Nelly Bay terminal.

Private boats launch at the Ross River or Townsville Breakwater ramps; the reefs are 70–90 km offshore, so a capable offshore vessel, EPIRB and a good forecast are essential. Use public moorings where installed and never anchor on coral.

The Townsville mid-shelf reefs sit fully exposed to the south-east trade winds, which blow 15–25 knots for long stretches from April to September. Operators generally cancel when winds exceed about 20 knots or a strong wind warning is current, and the 2–2.5 hour crossing is rough above 15 knots. The calmest windows are the late-spring and early-summer glassouts (October–December) and occasional winter high-pressure lulls.

Visibility is usually 12–25 m, dropping after big south-easterly blows and after wet-season floods from the Burdekin and Herbert rivers push turbid plumes offshore (January–April). Marine stinger season (box jellyfish and Irukandji) runs roughly November to May – wear a full-length stinger suit or wetsuit with hood and gloves, carry vinegar. Cyclone season November–April; tropical lows and cyclones can close sites and damage coral (TC Yasi 2011, TC Debbie 2017).

Tidal currents around reef edges and bommies are strongest on spring tides; plan wall and pass dives near slack.

On the seaward side, drop to the sand at 15–18 m among the detached bommies, weave through the coral canyons and partially roofed gutters, then return up the canyon walls to the reef edge at 5 m. In the lagoon, follow the perimeter wall and its 'drains' at 3–10 m – ideal for training and second dives.

Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive (Townsville/Magnetic Island) – day trips several days a week, reef chosen on conditions from John Brewer, Lodestone and Keeper, with Helix and Wheeler as scheduled 'special reef trips'; occasional liveaboard and private charters. Yongala Dive (Alva Beach) and Orpheus Island Lodge also run charters to MOUA/John Brewer.