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Man Hides 1,000 $5 Notes Across Popular Tourist Island

January 3, 2025

In a heartwarming act of holiday generosity, a man named Jim turned Christmas into a treasure hunt for joy on Magnetic Island, Queensland.

Magnetic Island / Nathan Johnson

Armed with $5,000 in $5 notes, Jim spent Christmas Day traveling from Picnic Bay to Horseshoe Bay, leaving behind his gifts in plain sight for others to discover.

Each note carried a festive message:

“$5,000.00 in $5 notes have been placed around Magnetic Island in plain eye sight for people to find for Christmas 2024. If you are reading this, then you have found one. They are on trees, posts, tables, chairs, rocks, signs, bins, etc. Merry Christmas, Jim 765. Share on Facebook. Share the spirit.”

Nathan Johnson

Nathan Johnson, a traveler who met Jim on the ferry back to Townsville, was inspired by the story and decided to see for himself. The next morning, he returned to the island and discovered one of the hidden notes tucked away in Horseshoe Bay.

Sharing his find on Facebook, Nathan wrote, "It’s an unbelievably kind act to do for random people. From our conversation, it seemed like Jim is a good guy with a big heart who has also led an adventurous life."

Nathan Johnson

Nathan shared that Jim was likely born in India to Australian parents but was raised in Australia.

"He said he had gotten lucky in stocks and just happened to invest in the right things," Nathan told Yahoo.

"[He] said he lives a very modest life and enjoys spreading some happiness and doing some good for others."