Hinchinbrook Island National Park Tropical North Queensland

South Macushla camping area is shady and secluded, and you can only get there by boat. Photo credit: Emma Schmidt © Queensland Government

The rugged beauty of Hinchinbrook Island National Park must be seen to be believed! Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Queensland

South Macushla camping area

For boat camping at its best, set up in this shady beach-side camping area and explore the island and surrounding waters.

Accessible by

  • Boat

Camping area facilities

  • Anchoring allowed
  • Picnic tables (some sheltered)
  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Tent camping
  • Walking
  • Boating
  • Fishing

Always check

At the island's northern end, on sheltered Missionary Bay, this beach-side camping area can be your Hinchinbrook home-away-from-home.

Set up camp under the trees (within the fenced area) and head off to explore the beach.

Out on the water, investigate the coastline and the labyrinth of waterways that spill into the bay. It’s great fishing so make sure you bring all your gear (zoning restrictions apply).

Back at camp, keep an eye out for goannas that often swagger through the sites.

This island park is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, famed for its superlative natural beauty, outstanding examples of reef ecosystem development, evolutionary history and amazing diversity.

Getting there and getting around

South Macushla camping area is in Hinchinbrook Island National Park, off the Queensland coast between Cardwell and Lucinda.

  • The camping area can be reached by private vessel launched from Cardwell or Lucinda, or by sea kayak.

Private vessel

  • Visitors accessing the island by private vessel should obtain a copy of the Hinchinbrook plan of management 2004 (PDF, 1.74MB) for information on transit lanes and boat speeds to aid dugong and turtle conservation.
  • Access to some areas of Hinchinbrook Island is weather and tide dependent and a good knowledge of the waters and potential hazards is essential.

Sea kayak

  • Commercial sea kayak tours of Hinchinbrook Island are available.
  • For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.

Before you visit

Opening hours

South Macushla camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Camping area features: under shady trees and with beach access.

Location: south of North Macushla in Missionary Bay on the north-east side of the island. Please remain behind the temporary crocodile barriers at all times.

Access: the camping area can be reached by boat. It is not available to Thorsborne Trail walkers.

Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites.

Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping.

Camp site surface: sand and grass.

Facilities: toilet, water (not suitable for drinking), shelter shed and picnic tables.

Open fires: prohibited.

Generators: not permitted.

Essentials to bring: drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent and fuel stove. Read more about before you visit.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options. Advance bookings are recommended for school holiday periods.

Mobile phone coverage: generally available.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Hinchinbrook Island safely and camp with care.