Things to do
Mountain biking on the Sandy Bay track, South Molle Island.
Photo credit: Darren Larcombe, Queensland Government
Camping and accommodation
Camping
Bush camp at Sandy or Paddle bays on South Molle. You can also camp on North Molle, Long, Tancred, Planton and Denman islands. Cockatoo Beach (North Molle), Sandy Bay (Long Island) and the South Molle camping areas have picnic tables and toilets.
- Learn more about camping in Molle Islands National Park.
- Learn more about camping in the Whitsundays.
- Learn more about visitor facilities and activities available in the Whitsundays .
- Book your camp site online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Walking and mountain biking
Walking tracks on South Molle Island and Long Island offer outstanding views across Whitsunday's famous islands and fringing reef. In addition, South Molle Island provides a great mountain biking experience for beginner and intermediate riders. All tracks are classified according to level of difficulty. Please ride safely.
The tracks and beaches allow you to explore the fringes of these rugged, densely vegetated islands. If you don’t have a boat, you can access the islands and their tracks either on day tours with a variety of tour operators or by ferry transfer to island resorts. See tourism information links or visit local tourism agents for further information.
Key to trail standards
The classification system is based on Australian Standards. Please note that while each trail is classified according to its most difficult section, other sections may be of an easier level.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
 Class 2 | No bushwalking experience required. The track is a compacted surface and may have a gentle hill section/s and occasional steps. |
 Class 3 | Suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Some bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections and a rough surface. |
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| Wide trail with gentle gradient and smooth surface. Some obstacles such as roots, logs and rocks. Suitable for beginner mountain bikers with basic mountain bike skills and off-road bikes. |
 Intermediate | A trail with moderate gradients, variable surface and obstacles. May include steep sections. Suitable for skilled mountain bikers with a good standard of fitness and basic off-road riding skills. |
South Molle Island
Enjoy stunning views along South Molle’s shared tracks (walking and mountain bike riding) with a variety of vegetation, wildlife and spectacular destinations on offer.
The tracks can be accessed from Bauer Bay (follow the track from the Bauer Bay jetty to the back of the golf course) or from Sandy Bay camping area. Access from Paddle Bay is walking only.
See the South Molle Island map for further track information.
South Molle Island tracks at a glance
| Track name | Distance | Duration | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balancing Rock | 2km return from Bauer Bay | 1hr walking time |  |
| Paddle Bay | 2.2km return from Bauer Bay beach | 1hr walking time | |
| Spion Kop | 4.2km one-way from Sandy Bay 2.35 km one-way from Bauer Bay | 2hrs walking time from Sandy Bay 1 hr walking time from Bauer Bay |  |
| Mount Jeffreys | 4km one-way from Sandy Bay 3km one-way from Bauer Bay | 2hrs walking time from Sandy Bay 1 - 1.5hrs walking time from Bauer Bay | |
| Sandy Bay | 4.2km one-way from Bauer Bay | 2hrs walking time from Bauer Bay | |
| Lamond Hill | 4.4km one-way from Sandy Bay 3.3km one-way from Bauer Bay | 2hrs walking time one-way 1 - 1.5hrs walking time from Bauer Bay | |
Walking tracks
Balancing Rock
Distance: 2km return from Bauer Bay
Duration: Allow 1hr
Details: Perched in eucalypt forest, Balancing Rock provides views across the parchwork of South Molle's vegetation communities. Take care when climbing the rock; traversing up it's rocky crevices can be difficult and dangerous, particularly when wet.
Paddle Bay
Distance: 2.2km return from Bauer Bay beach
Duration: Allow 1hr
Details: The track winds down to a beach of coral fragments and continues along the beach away from the resort. A picnic area overlooks Daydream, Mid and North Molle islands. At low tide you can walk to Mid Molle Island— access is trestricted to the two-hour period before and after low tide. Check tides before setting out.
Shared tracks
Spion Kop
Distance:
4.2km one-way from Sandy Bay (Tracks 1 and 3 on map)
2.35km one-way from Bauer Bay (Tracks 7 and 3 on map)
Duration:
2hrs walking time from Sandy Bay
1hr walking time from Bauer Bay
Details: Offering spectacular views, this track traverses rainforest, grassland and open eucalypt fores to lookouts over the resort and Whitsunday Passage. This track also passes an ancient Ngaro stone quarry, an area of shattered rock high on the hillside and spilling toward the sea.
The track is relatively flat and easy, and generally smooth. Note: the track is 'walkers only' from the set of stairs leading to Spion Kop.
Mount Jeffreys
Distance:
4km one-way from Sandy Bay (Tracks 1 and 2 on map)
3km one-way from Bauer Bay (Tracks 7 and 2 on map)
Duration:2hrs walking time from Sandy Bay
1 - 1.5hrs walking time from Bauer Bay
Details: If seeking incredible views, this track is a must. It winds up a gradual slope to South Molle Island's highest point, Mount Jeffreys. Once there, you will enjoy a sensational 360° view of the Whitsunday islands and mainland.
The track has a moderate climb, but is generally easy and smooth.
Sandy Bay
Distance: 4.2km one-way from Bauer Bay (Tracks 7 and 1 on map)
Duration: 2hrs walking time from Bauer Bay
Details: Rainforest, open eucalypt forest, and patches of native grasslands studded with grasstrees feature on this track. Approaching the beach, the vegetation becomes sparse and the beach margins are lined with coastal she-oaks.
The track is relatively easy and smooth. At Sandy Bay there is a long moderate climb and some tight switch-backs.
Lamond Hill
Distance:
4.4km one-way from Sandy Bay (Tracks 1, 4 and 5 on map)
3.3km one-way from Bauer Bay (Tracks 7, 4 and 5 on map)
Duration:2hrs walking time one-way from Sandy Bay
1 - 1.5hrs walking time from Bauer Bay
Details: Climbing through open eucalypt forest to Lamond Hill, this track overlooks the resort with a view to distant mainland ranges.
The track is relatively easy with a generally smooth surface, however includes some moderate climbs and one switch-back turn towards the end of the climb. Note: one set of stairs near the water tanks.
Long Island
All Long Island’s walking tracks are through dry rainforest and vine thicket and are of a gentle to moderately steep grade. Walks can be accessed from either Happy or Palm bays.
Long Island Circuit
Distance: 3.5km return
Duration: Allow 1.5hours
Details: Accessed from Happy Bay, this is the only Long Island track with spectacular viewpoints to other islands.
Round Hill Circuit
Distance: 1.5km return
Duration: Allow 30mins
Details: Start at Happy Bay or Palm Bay. This track passes through vine thicket and remnant eucalypt forest.
Pandanus Bay
Distance: 900m return from Palm Bay; 1.5km return from Happy Bay
Duration: Allow 30mins from Palm Bay; allow 1hr from Happy Bay
Details: Walk across the narrow island neck to a pandanus-lined rocky beach.
Humpy Point
Distance: 1.2km return from Happy Bay; 2.6km return from Palm Bay.
Duration: Allow 30mins from Happy Bay; allow 1hr from Palm Bay
Details: Travel in the shade through dry rainforest thicket. The track has no views to neighbouring islands.
Sandy Bay
Distance: 5.8km return from Palm Bay; 8.2 km return from Happy Bay
Duration: Allow 3hrs from Palm Bay; allow 4hrs from Happy Bay
Details: A gently climbing track which then descends to a small secluded beach lined with mangroves.
Read more about walking in national parks of the Whitsundays.
Guided tours and talks
Many commercial operators offer tours which include Molle Islands National Park. See tourism information links or visit local tourism agents for more information.
Picnic and day-use areas
Cockatoo Beach (North Molle), Sandy Bay (Long Island) and both the South Molle camping areas have picnic tables and toilets. For a complete list check the Whitsunday visitor facilities and activities summary . Open fires and ash-producing stoves are not permitted on national park islands or intertidal lands adjacent to national park islands. Use gas or fuel stoves for cooking.
Boating and fishing
This area has been described as a boating paradise with deep blue waters, tropical weather and secluded islands to explore.
Visit the Whitsunday national park islands web page for vital information on boating and fishing.
Viewing wildlife
You can spend a few idyllic hours or a week exploring this beautiful park. Look for tiny jewel and orb weaver spiders along the walking tracks.
Go birdwatching. Look out for sooty oystercatchers, white-faced herons and reef egrets on the shoreline and around rocks. You might also see brahminy kites and white-bellied sea-eagles soaring above or perched high in the tree tops.
Walk along beaches and walking tracks to see local animals. As the tide recedes oysters and snails seal their shells and worms retire to their burrows. Rock crabs dart for the nearest crevices as the shadow of a soaring brahminy kite skirts the rugged shoreline. Inevitably some crabs are surprised and fall prey to these impressive chestnut and white birds.
Birds are plentiful, particularly from October to March when thousands of waders migrate here to nest. Some restrictions to activity apply during this period—see Take care of nesting birds for further information.
- Learn more about the nature, culture and history of the Whitsundays.
Swimming and snorkelling
Snorkel at South Molle Island’s Sandy and Paddle bays. In late spring witness the annual spawning of coral. While water is usually clearer at the northern ends of the outer islands, snorkelling over the reef flat at high tide can still be rewarding. Read more vital information about swimming and snorkelling in the Whitsundays.
- Learn more about the nature, culture and history of the Whitsundays.
- Changes to public access of walking tracks on South Molle Island 27 February to 30 December 2023