Australia: The Land Where Time Began
Hinchinbrook Island National Park
What's special?
With its lush rainforests, rugged, misty and heath-covered mountains, sweeping sandy beaches, rocky headlands, paperbark and palm wetlands, mangrove-fringed shores and extensive open forests and woodlands, Hinchinbrook Island National Park is one of the world’s most outstanding island parks.The island’s mangrove forests are some of the richest and most varied in Australia and an important breeding ground for many marine animals.
For thousands of years, the Bandyin Aboriginal people lived on Hinchinbrook Island. Middens and fish traps are reminders of their special culture.
The island’s world-famous Thorsborne Trail was named after local naturalists Margaret and Arthur Thorsborne.
Hinchinbrook Island is surrounded by marine park waters where fringing reefs and seagrass beds are home to a variety of marine life including dugong and green turtles.
Exploring Hinchinbrook Island
Experienced and fit bushwalkers can discover the special beauty of Hinchinbrook Island on a 32km trail along the island’s east coast. Limits apply to the number of walkers allowed on the trail so you must book at least 12 months in advance for holidays. Take a topographic map and compass.Fresh water is available along the trail. Take water containers, insect repellent and a fuel stove for cooking. Campfires are not allowed. Campsites and toilets are provided. Walkers are encouraged to minimise their impact. Where no toilets are provided, bury human waste. Use no soap or toothpaste in creeks. Leave no rubbish behind. For your safety, complete the log books at the Nina Bay, Little Ramsay Bay, Zoe Bay and Mulligan Falls campgrounds. Leave your itinerary with a reliable friend or relative and advise your safe return.
The cooler months, April to September are best for walking. Heavy rain can fall between December and April. Allow at least three days to complete the trail.
You can also camp at Macushla or The Haven camping areas. Toilets, picnic tables and barbecues are provided. Take water and a fuel stove. A resort is located on the northern end of the island.
Beach fishing is allowed. Be careful. Marine stingers are present in the sea and estuaries between October and May. Estuarine crocodiles live in the surrounding channel and estuarine waters. Be croc-wise.
Walking
Wear insect repellent and a hat and sunscreen. Carry drinking water. Walking in the mountains is by special permit only. The Thorsborne Trail is not graded or hardened and provides a wilderness experience for self-sufficient hikers. Allow at least three nights to walk between Ramsay Bay to George Point in either direction. Shorter return walks are possible.Getting there
Hinchinbrook Island lies off the north Queensland coast just 8km east of Cardwell. Commercial water taxis from Cardwell and Dungeness (Lucinda) transfer campers and walkers to the island.
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