Ngaro track (under construction)
Premium hiking—Spectacular scenery—Boutique camping
The Ngaro track is a new premium hiking experience under construction in the Whitsundays—offering 32kms of breathtaking Whitsunday views and incredible trackside diversity. The spectacular multi-day walk balances challenge and reward and has been designed to offer a range of hiking opportunities.
As the Ngaro track is currently under construction it remains closed to the public. The estimated date for completion is December 2024.
New hiking experience in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
Photo credit: Nah Turnbull © Queensland Government
Walking on Ngaro Country
Whitsunday Islands National Park is the traditional land and sea Country of the Ngaro People.
The development of this new low impact walking track acknowledges the enduring connection and responsibility to Land, Sea and Sky Country as an integral element of the Ngaro peoples’ identity and culture.
Ngaro People continue to assist the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) in supervising construction of the track as well as contribute to the development of interpretation, ensuring that the significance of Country is shown respectfully.
Location
The Ngaro track lies at the southern end of Whitsunday Island in the Whitsunday Islands National Park, part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Whitsunday Island is the largest island in the archipelago and is located approximately 11km off the coast of Airlie Beach, Central Queensland.
Ngaro track vision
- 32km Grade 4/5 walking track
- 2 diverse, signature hiker camp sites
- Iconic views of world-renowned Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
- Whitsunday Craig Summit (353m elevation)
- Isolated island bluffs and headlands
- Outstanding plant diversity
- Seasonal waterfalls and creek crossings
- Whitsundays’ only mangrove boardwalk
- Commercially managed track experience.
A new way to walk in the Whitsundays
The Ngaro track provides a rare opportunity for a multi-day hike in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, and takes in the area’s most iconic destinations—connecting Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet along the island’s coast and interior. From start to finish, walkers can reflect on their island journey from spectacular trackside vantage points.
Setting out on sand at iconic Whitehaven Beach the track connects rocky peaks and the heart of the island.
Photo credit: Nah Turnbull © Queensland Government
Its addition to the area’s existing network will support walkers to explore 116km of national park tracks in the Whitsundays. Ranging from short walks around Airlie Beach and the longer Conway Circuit to self-guided opportunities on South Molle, Long, Hook, Haslewood, Langford, Whitsunday and Border islands.
Whitsunday island’s natural, rugged integrity is retained with majority of the track built to Grade 4 standards using natural materials along with smaller sections of hand-built Grade 5. Each section has varying challenges that end at refined camping areas complete with tent platforms, communal shelters and ‘loos-with-views’ that will cater for the discerning hiker’s camping needs. Walkers will share the unique experience at a level that is in-keeping with the area’s natural remote setting.
Projection of architecturally designed communal shelter.
Photo credit: Supplied by Lat Studios
Projection of architecturally designed communal shelter.
Photo credit: Supplied by Lat Studios
The track build journey
Elevated mangrove boardwalk allows hikers to cross the upper reaches of Hill Inlet.
Photo credit: Nah Turnbull © Queensland Government
- Site investigation and alignment commenced in 2018 with QPWS, trail advisors and Ngaro Cultural representatives.
- Construction of the track including connecting components and hiker infrastructure will continue in 2023.
- Hiker campsites designed in 2023 will be under construction from late 2023 and continue in 2024.
- For safety reasons, the Ngaro track is closed to the public while the track and campsites are being constructed.
- The track is scheduled for completion in December 2024.
Expression of Interest for commercial operators
The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation is currently conducting an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to seek commercial operators who are best qualified to operate the Ngaro track experience.
Interested commercial operators will be given the opportunity to attend a briefing and a site visit, as part of this EOI process.
Multiple operators may be considered as suitable based on assessed experience and capability and it is anticipated this EOI invitation will be the sole opportunity for operators to express interest in an authority to conduct commercial activities on the Ngaro track.
The EOI document and application form is available on QTenders.
EOI closes 4pm (EST) Friday 10 May, 2024.
Future bookings
Bookings are anticipated to commence upon the successful appointment of the authorised operator in 2024.
More information
- Whitsunday public mooring inspections 27 April to 6 May 2024
- Works notification: Hook Island pontoon construction activities 29 April to 3 May 2024
- Ngaro track construction 27 July 2023 to 30 December 2024
- Visitors to Great Barrier Reef reminded to be SharkSmart 14 October 2020 to 21 August 2024