National park · Australia
Hinchinbrook Island National Park
Go only if you have booked the Thorsborne Trail permit and a boat transfer months ahead: 3–4 days, 32 km, no water taps, no shops. Day-trippers should take the channel boat and boardwalk instead.Go only if you have booked the Thorsborne Trail permit and a boat transfer months ahead: 3–4 days, 20 mi, no water taps, no shops. Day-trippers should take the channel boat and boardwalk instead.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
399 km²154 sq mi
approximate
Established
1932
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 399 km²154 sq mi
- Park area figures vary by source and boundary revision; the island plus surrounding waters is roughly 400 km² (check).
- Established
- 1932
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Hinchinbrook Island National Park protects a mountainous continental island in the Hinchinbrook Channel, off the Cassowary Coast south of Cairns and north of Townsville. The island rises to Mt Bowen at 1121 m and is separated from the mainland by a mangrove-lined channel; the Bandjin people retain cultural connections to the land. There is no road, no shop and no treated water on the island, and access is by boat only, so the park is effectively a permit-and-transfer destination: the 32 km Thorsborne Trail along the east coast, capped at 40 walkers at a time, or a channel day trip to the northern mangrove boardwalk. Boat transfers now run mostly from Lucinda rather than Cardwell, whose marina is no longer an all-tide ramp.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteQueensland national park (Cardwell–Hinchinbrook area); part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
Size and age
399 km²154 sq mi · national park since 1932
Park area figures vary by source and boundary revision; the island plus surrounding waters is roughly 400 km² (check).
Why go
- A 32 km coastal walk with no road, no resort and no phone signal for most of its length.A 20 mi coastal walk with no road, no resort and no phone signal for most of its length.
- Camp numbers are capped, so you can walk a day and meet almost nobody.
- Mangrove boardwalk and channel scenery on the northern end, reachable on a day trip.
- The island is Bandjin country; the traditional owners keep cultural connections to the place.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanWet season; cyclone risk; transfers often cancelled
- FebWettest month; heat and mud
- MarWet season tail; creek crossings high
- AprRain easing; still humid
- MayDry season starts; cooler nights
- JunDry, clear, comfortable walking
- JulPeak season; book permits early
- AugDry and breezy; busiest trail month
- SepDry; warming up
- OctHotter; dry season ends
- NovBuild-up heat; storms return
- DecWet season; cyclone risk
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saltwater crocodiles (whole coastline)All year · Assume any creek, lagoon or beach edge may hold a crocodile. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Dugongs in Hinchinbrook ChannelMay–Oct · Seen from boats over seagrass; keep distance. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Goannas around campsAll year · Common and harmless; do not feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Ghost crabs on the Shepherd beachesMay–Sep · Tiny crabs on the sand at low light. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Cardwell
Boat transfer to Ramsay Bay (north) or George Point (south); the Cardwell marina is no longer an all-tide ramp, so some operators run from Lucinda instead.
1–2 h by boat
From Lucinda
Most transfers now leave from Lucinda; the channel run to the island is the usual start or finish point.
1–1.5 h by boat
From Townsville
Drive or bus south to Cardwell or Lucinda, then boat.
2–2.5 h by road
From Cairns
Drive south on the Bruce Highway to Cardwell, then boat.
2.5–3 h by road
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Northern end (Ramsay Bay, Cape Richards) | Trail start, mangrove boardwalk, the old resort site and the only lodge on the island. | Boat access; day trips land here. |
| Eastern beaches (Orchid, North and South Shepherd, Ramsay) | Long open beaches on the ocean side, used as camps along the Thorsborne Trail. | Walkers with a permit; no road. |
| Southern end (George Point, Macushla) | Trail finish and campsites; pick-up point for boats back to the mainland. | Permit campsites; boat pick-up by arrangement. |
| Western side and Hinchinbrook Channel | Mangroves, seagrass and the sheltered channel between island and mainland. | Boat and kayak; marine park zoning applies. |
Sketch map
- 1Cardwell · Town≈-18.267, 146.017Mainland base and visitor information centre.Map ↗
- 2Lucinda · Town≈-18.517, 146.333Most boat transfers now leave from here.Map ↗
- 3Ramsay Bay (northern trailhead) · Gate≈-18.150, 146.283Map ↗
- 4Cape Richards · Viewpoint≈-18.167, 146.300Lookout over Orchid Beach and Goold Island.Map ↗
- 5North Shepherd Beach · Beach≈-18.233, 146.317Map ↗
- 6George Point (southern trailhead) · Gate≈-18.367, 146.283Map ↗
- 7Mt Bowen · Summit≈-18.350, 146.1831121 m; separate permit required.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thorsborne Trail camping permit | AUD 7 | person per night | Queensland park camping fee band; confirm the current rate when booking (check). |
| Other island campsites (Macushla, The Haven, Goold Island) | AUD 7 | person per night | Permit required; no water supply at Goold Island (check). |
| Boat transfer, Lucinda or Cardwell to trail ends | AUD 150–300 | person | 2026 estimate; one-way or return depending on operator; must be booked ahead. |
| Day trip with channel and boardwalk stop | AUD 150–250 | person | 2026 estimate; runs from Lucinda or Cardwell, weather dependent. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Thorsborne Trail camping permit permit or guide
Other campsite permits (Macushla, The Haven, Goold Island) permit or guide
Mt Bowen summit trek permit or guide
Park rules
- Fires
- Open fires are not permitted anywhere on the island; use a fuel stove.
- Water
- No treated water supply; carry all drinking water. Creek and rainwater are seasonal and must be treated (check).
- Camping
- Camp only at permitted sites along the trail and at Macushla, The Haven or Goold Island with a permit.
- Group size and numbers
- The trail is capped at 40 people at any one time; walk in small groups and keep to your booked nights.
- Marine park zoning
- Fishing, snorkelling and diving in the channel and around the island follow Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zoning; check the zone before you go.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from Queensland Parks (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Trail campsites (Ramsay Bay to George Point)
Basic bush camps with no facilities; permit and booked nights required.
In the park
Macushla and The Haven
Permit campsites with toilets, gas barbecue, picnic tables and non-drinkable water at Macushla.
In the park
Cape Richards lodge area
The island's only lodge with restaurant and pool; closed February–March (check).
Near the park
Cardwell and Lucinda
Motels, caravan parks and shops on the mainland; the practical base before and after a walk.
Safety
Saltwater crocodiles high
No drinking water and no facilities high
Cyclones and wet-season flooding high
Heat and humidity medium
Getting lost on Mt Bowen high
Accessibility
- There are no roads, vehicles or wheelchair-accessible paths on the island; everything is reached by boat and on foot.
- The mangrove boardwalk at the northern end is the shortest and flattest walk, but the landing is by boat and tide dependent.
- Travellers with limited mobility are better served by a channel boat trip that stays on the water.
Visiting lightly
- Book only licensed transfer and kayak operators; unlicensed landings are not permitted.
- Carry out all rubbish, including food scraps, and use a fuel stove instead of a fire.
- Keep well back from crocodiles, dugongs and nesting shorebirds; do not feed goannas.
- Respect Bandjin cultural sites and any closed areas; take nothing from the island.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Hinchinbrook Island National Park?
There is no gate fee for the park itself. You pay for a camping permit (a Queensland park camping fee, roughly A$7 per person per night — check the current rate) and for the boat transfer, which is the big cost at roughly A$150–300 per person each way or return depending on the operator. Day trips that stay on the water are usually A$150–250 per person.
What are the best hikes in Hinchinbrook Island National Park?
The Thorsborne Trail is the main one: 32 km from Ramsay Bay in the north to George Point in the south, usually walked over 4 days and 3 nights with a permit. Shorter options are the mangrove boardwalk and Ramsay Beach link at the northern end, and the Cape Richards lookout. The Mt Bowen summit trek (1121 m) needs a separate permit and is for experienced, self-sufficient walkers.
When is the best time to visit Hinchinbrook Island National Park?
May to September, in the dry season: cooler nights, clear days and the most reliable boat transfers. July and August are the busiest, so book permits and transfers months ahead. December to April is the wet and cyclone season, when crossings flood and transfers are often cancelled.
Do I need a permit for the Thorsborne Trail?
Yes. A camping permit is required and the trail is capped at 40 people at any one time, so high-season slots go months in advance. Book the permit first, then arrange the boat transfer to Ramsay Bay or from George Point.
Is there anywhere to stay on the island?
Camping is the main option, at permitted sites along the trail and at Macushla, The Haven and Goold Island. The only lodge is at Cape Richards, and it is closed February–March (check). Most travellers sleep in Cardwell or Lucinda before and after the walk.
Can I visit Hinchinbrook Island without doing the full trail?
Yes. Day trips by boat run to the northern end, with the mangrove boardwalk and Ramsay Beach as the short walk. You still need to arrange the boat in advance, and trips are weather dependent.
Is it safe to swim around Hinchinbrook Island?
No. Saltwater crocodiles live around the whole coastline, and the channel has strong currents. Stay out of the water and keep back from creek mouths, lagoons and the beach edge.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialQueensland Parks and Forests — Hinchinbrook Island National Park
- officialQueensland Parks and Forests — Thorsborne Trail
- officialGreat Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority — zoning
- secondaryWikipedia — Hinchinbrook Island
- secondaryWikivoyage: Hinchinbrook Island National Park, revision 5261505 (CC BY-SA 4.0)