Thorsborne Trail
Hinchinbrook, Hinchinbrook Area

Admission Costs and Entry Information

info@derm.qld.gov.au
www.derm.qld.gov.au

Description

Hinchinbrook is one of Australia's largest island national parks (39,900 hectares). The island is within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and is separated from the mainland by the scenic Hinchinbrook Channel.

Hinchinbrook's cloud-covered mountains, reaching 1000 metres, support fragile heath vegetation. Patches of lush rainforest and extensive eucalypt forest descend to a mangrove-fringed channel in the west with sweeping bays and rocky headlands along the east coast. Explore the eastern side of the island along the 32 kilometre Thorsborne Trail. The trail is very popular and often fully booked during peak periods and school holidays. A minimum of three nights and four days is required to traverse the trail between Ramsay Bay and George Point.

About the Walk

32 kms
4 days
Multi-Day Walk
Hard
One way
If walking in a north-south direction, begin at Ramsay bay.
If walking in a north-south direction, the trail finishes at George Point.

Walk Highlights

• World Heritage Area
• Heath-covered mountains
• Coastal waterfalls
• Extensive mangrove forests
• Sweeping bays
• Rocky headlands

Walk Hints

The Thorsborne Trail is for experienced walkers, as it is not a graded or hardened walking track. In some areas it is rough and difficult to traverse. Walkers will need to carry a pack along this trail and be well prepared for bush camping.

The Thorsborne Trail is managed under the 'minimal impact bushwalking ' ethic and 'no-trace camping'. Campfires are not allowed. Campsites and toilets are provided. For your safety, complete the log books at the Nina Bay, Little Ramsay Bay, Zoe Bay and Mulligan Falls campgrounds. Take a topographic map and compass.

During the warmer months, stinging jellyfish may be present in the waters around Hinchinbrook Island. Use insect repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid insect bites. Estuarine crocodiles live in the surrounding channel and estuarine waters. Be croc-wise.

To help minimise impact and to maintain the wilderness setting, permits are isssued for a maximum of 40 people on the trail at any time and the largest group size is six. Booking well in advance is essential.

The trail is marked by yellow trail markers (south-north direction), and orange trail markers (north-south direction). Rock cairns are also used in areas where trail markers are absent.

Refer to the Thorsborne Trail Guide for more detail.

Best Time To Go

April to September are the best months for hiking the trail. This period avoids the very wet and the very dry.

Property Details

Facilities

• Car park
• Public toilet
• Walking Tracks

Activities

• Animal Watching
• Birdwatching
• Walking

Other Information

Further Details:
April to September are the best months for hiking. This period avoids the times of year that are very wet or very dry. The Thorsborne Trail highlights include: World Heritage Area, heath covered mountains, coastal waterfalls, extensive mangrove forests, sweeping bays and rocky headlands.
The Thorsborne Trail is not a graded or hardened walking track and in some areas is rough and difficult to traverse. A minimum of three nights and four days is required to traverse the trail between Ramsay Bay and George Point. Return walks are possible depending on time available. Walking quickly does not allow enough time to see the area, to swim or to really enjoy the walk.

The Thorsborne Trail is not a graded or hardened walking track and in some areas is rough and difficult to traverse. It is recommended that, prior to walking the trail, all walkers obtain a copy of the DERM Thorsborne Trail trail guide and view the minimal impact bushwalking video Without A Trace.

How To Get There:
Access to the Thorsborne Trail is either by private vessel, launched from Cardwell or Lucinda (Dungeness), or by the water taxi services. Services vary according to demand, tide levels and time of year.