All works to the Thorsborne Trail itself will remain in-line with the current remote Class 5 hiking experience and focus on reducing unacceptable impacts to natural/cultural values and visitor safety issues, rather than increasing walking comfort or accessibility.

Updated and new communications products about the trail for walkers and industry are also included in the project – improved communication about key cultural, park, trail, and safety information will be provided.

Impacts on park visitors

The Thorsborne Trail and campsites are expected to remain open throughout the project. Works will be staged where possible to reduce disruption, however there will be some minor impacts on hikers during construction.

QPWS will keep visitors informed through Park Alerts and emails to booked campers during construction periods. This page will also be updated as the project progresses.

Why is it needed

In keeping with the remote and wild nature experience, current visitor facilities on the island are basic with little or no formal planning or design - sites have grown in an ad-hoc manner over the years with additions or upgrades done in an ‘as needed’ fashion at each individual site to deal with emergent issues.

This project allows a holistic view to be taken across the island to allow consistency in site design accommodating functionality, visitor experience, ongoing operational maintenance, safety, and protection of the island’s natural and cultural values.

• In recent years, particularly during the cooler months, the Thorsborne Trail has surged in popularity. Camping areas and facilities are no longer adequate to suit the number of users whilst also retaining the remote and wild experience of the trail.
• There has also been conflict between user groups, as some camping areas are also used by boat-based campers, sea-kayak tour campers, and/or day-users.
• Locations of campsites are being reviewed to improve safety.
• Current entry/exit points for the trail don’t provide a sense of arrival/achievement for hikers suitable for an iconic walk.
• Competition for spaces on the trail is causing more inexperienced hikers to book their walks during the wet season - seasonal conditions during these months bring extreme heat and regular heavy rainfall - hikers are often unable to cross creeks and are at the highest risk of heat-related injuries.

The project is consistent with the 2017 Hinchinbrook Island National Park Management Plan and Visitor Strategy which identifies a range of strategic management directions and objectives in relation to the Thorsborne Trail.

Preliminary planning has included gathering feedback from visitor surveys and key stakeholders to better understand the issues and needs of trail users to assist with the planning and design processes.

Traditional Owners have been involved throughout the design process, providing oversight of the project, and providing input and endorsement of concepts and planning.

Construction will be staged and is programmed to be undertaken during the 2024 and 2025 dry seasons following finalisation of designs and engagement of suitable contractors to undertake different components of the project.

Funding source

The Queensland Government has committed $3.2 million over 4 years to enhance the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island National Park.

This is inclusive of the $1.5 million highlighted in the 2023/24 Queensland Budget Capital Statement.

Key Project features

• Re-design of major visitor sites/campgrounds: Ramsay Bay, Nina Bay, Little Ramsay Bay, Zoe Bay, Mulligan Falls, and George Point.
• Design of campsites will allow for seclusion/separation from other users, with appropriate infrastructure depending on the site and user group.
• In keeping with the desired remote and wild experience, site upgrades are generally low-key, focusing on better site design and flow.
• Replacing existing and providing new toilets – in total 6 new toilets will be built, mostly with 2 pedestals to reduce waiting times. No other buildings are planned for the island.
• Simple furniture (log seats, platforms, pack racks) will also be provided at the main campsites.
• A new longer pontoon at Ramsay Bay will replace the existing pontoon to better facilitate vessel transfer needs for the trail.
• Trail entry/exit and hiker preparation areas at Ramsay Bay (including new toilet) and George Point to better accommodate hikers – including park and cultural messaging.
• Minor trail works may be undertaken at key areas to address impacts to natural/cultural values and visitor safety issues, rather than increasing walking comfort or accessibility. This may include short alternate tracks around tidal creeks/swamps, erosion issues, minor diversions.
• Updated and new communications products about the trail for walkers and industry will be created including pre-hike planning, key cultural, park, trail, and safety information and messaging.
• While some new signage will be installed on the ground, much of this is planned to be done through other mediums in keeping with the trail’s remote and wild experience.
• A seasonal closure of the trail during January and February due to the high risk of unsafe conditions over this period.

Project milestones

• Ramsay Bay pontoon replaced with new, longer pontoon to allow safer access for vessels dropping off/picking up hikers – completed February 2024.

Commercial guided tours

QPWS are working with the Bandjin and Girramay Traditional Owners of Munamudanamy to create a new commercial guided tour on the Thorsborne Trail, involving Traditional Owner involvement & partnership.

Currently, there are no commercial guided tours on the Thorsborne Trail. The 2017 Management Plan provides direction to:

Increase the opportunity for visitors to walk the Thorsborne Trail, by facilitating commercially guided bushwalks along the Trail, while maintaining the park’s remote and wild nature experience.

The focus of the Thorsborne Trail will remain as a remote and wild experience for independent hikers – the intent is to offer a complementary commercially guided remote and wild experience to match the hiking experience currently available.

The expected experience will be a 4-day, 3-night hiking tour on the Thorsborne Trail.

To facilitate this, commercial group camping areas will be included as part of the upgrades at the three main Thorsborne sites – Little Ramsay, Zoe Bay, and Mulligan Falls.

Infrastructure provided will be consistent with the independent hikers’ experience, but with a group focus. Toilet facilities will be shared with other user groups.

The allowance of walkers at any one time on the trail will also be increased from 40 (up to a maximum of 60) consistent with the Management Plan, so as not to impact the permits available for independent hikers.

An Expression of Interest (EOI) process is expected to be run by QPWS in 2024 to identify a suitable operator to work with the Traditional Owners to deliver this new experience, with tours anticipated to begin in the 2025 walking season. Commercial campgrounds will remain as National Park.

Please send any enquiries regarding this opportunity to ecofacilities@des.qld.gov.au

More information

Contact QPWS by email at hinchinbrook@des.qld.gov.au