Things to do

Green turtles are seen on and around Hinchinbrook Island.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Camping and accommodation

Camping

Camping permits are required and fees apply.

• Find out more about camping on Hinchinbrook Island National Park.
• Book your campsite online.
• If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.

The Thorsborne Trail offers walk-in, remote bush camping along the east cost of the island.

Camping permits for educational and military groups must be obtained through Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). To request a permit email qpws@des.qld.gov.au.

Some of the camping areas are suitable for sea kayakers. See camping information for details.

Other accommodation

There is a range of accommodation in and around Cardwell and Lucinda. For more information, see the tourism information links.

Walking

• Hinchinbrook Island National Park map (PDF, 1.6MB)

There are four walking tracks on the island, offering short easy walks to the difficult, four day Thorsborne Trail.

The Haven track (Grade: moderate)

Distance: 1km return
Time: allow about 15–30mins walking time
Details: The circuit track starts from the Haven campground (Scraggy Point) and passes through mixed vine forest along the banks of a small creek.

Thorsborne Trail (Grade: difficult)

Distance: 32km one way
Time: allow 4 days
Details: Hike through a smorgasbord of changing landscapes and habitats including rainforest, open eucalypt forest, banksia forest, and mangrove and paperbark country. The trail is not a graded or hardened walking track and, in some areas, is rough and difficult to traverse. See the Thorsborne Trail for more information.

Picnic and day-use areas

Day-use areas are located at Macushla, The Haven, Zoe Bay and George Point.

Facilities at these locations include:

• South Macushla—picnic tables, shelter shed, toilet and water tank (not suitable for drinking)
• North Macushla—toilet
• The Haven—picnic tables and toilet
• South Zoe Bay—picnic tables and toilet
• George Point—picnic tables and toilet.

Boating and fishing

Voluntary vessel transit lanes and boat speeds are in place around Hinchinbrook Island to help protect the island’s marine animals and their homes. Please use these vessel transit lanes and abide by the recommended vessel speeds. Visitors should view the Hinchinbrook Plan of Management 2004 - Information sheet as a guide to using the Hinchinbrook transit lanes, produced by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).

Hinchinbrook Island and the surrounding marine waters are internationally significant and are protected in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Zones in the two marine parks—the Great Barrier Reef Coast and Great Barrier Reef—provide a balanced approach to protecting the marine and intertidal environments while allowing recreational and commercial use. Check zoning maps and information and the Hinchinbrook Plan of Management before entering or conducting any activities, including fishing, in the marine parks.

Fishing is not permitted in the freshwater areas of the national park or in Channel Nine in Missionary Bay. Fisheries regulations apply in other areas—information on bag and size limits, restricted species and seasonal closures is available from Fisheries Queensland.

Be aware that crocodiles can turn up anywhere in croc country, including tidal reaches of rivers, along beaches, on offshore islands and cays in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait, and in freshwater lagoons, rivers, and swamps. Crocodiles are dangerous and attacks can be fatal. Remember to be crocwise in croc country. Check QWildlife for iOS and Android before you visit the island to be aware of recent crocodile sightings. Report crocodile sightings using the QWildlife app to help determine crocodile presence and movement in the area. This will help other visitors by informing them of crocodile presence.

Viewing wildlife

With more than 19 mammal, 32 reptile and about 150 bird species, visitors are guaranteed to encounter Hinchinbrook’s wildlife. See pied imperial-pigeons, beach stone-curlews and an array of other shore and forest birds. Enjoy the vibrant wildflower displays in spring.

The island is surrounded by diverse marine habitats such as mangroves, fringing reefs and seagrass beds. These habitats provide food and shelter for animals such as dolphins, dugongs, turtles and estuarine crocodiles.

At low tide a cacophony of ‘slurps’, ‘pops’ and ‘clicks’ emanates from the blue-grey mud in the mangrove forests. Snapping shrimps, crabs and mudskippers warn intruders or signal amorous intentions. Mangrove leaves use sunlight, water and nutrients from the mud and turn it into food. Fallen leaves, both fresh and decaying, provide many inhabitants with important nutrients—the first step in the perpetual cycling of nutrients moving between marine and coastal ecosystems.

See the description of the park’s natural environment for more details about Hinchinbrook Island’s diverse wildlife.

Other things to do

Sea kayak the ocean waters to experience Hinchinbrook Island from the sea.

Fishing charters, boats, house boats and other charter vessels are available. For information, see the tourism information links.