How to hike the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island
How-to
By Lucille Burkitt
Preparation tips | Things to know | Trail details
If you’re searching for a hiking challenge that inspires your next mind-body transformation, the world-famous Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island is a four-day foray into some of Queensland’s most celebrated scenery.
For anyone with both time and fitness on their side, this 32km Great Walk through Hinchinbrook Island National Park's pristine tropical rainforest, mist-shrouded mountaintops, dazzling waterfalls and remote sandy beaches is rated one of the top ten walks on the planet.
Hinchinbrook Island is ideal for the traveller who longs for the remote outdoors; here’s how to experience the mighty Thorsborne Trail.
How to prepare for the Thorsborne Trail
Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park, Townsville
Australia's largest island national park, you’ll find Hinchinbrook Island off the coast of Cardwell; around two hours from Townsville and 200km south of Cairns. To combat North Queensland's humidity, the best time to walk the Thorsborne Trail is between April and September to make the most of the cooler weather. That said, always be prepared for a little bit of wet weather: you're in the tropics after all, so pack accordingly.
Be practical in your pre-planning. With just 40 people permitted to camp on the island at any one time, you’re advised to book your trip well in advance. Remember everything you take needs to be carried along with you, including any rubbish you generate during your stay.
BYO trowel and a scourer. In areas on the island where toilets aren’t provided, you'll need to move well away from campsites, walking tracks and creeks, and use a trowel to bury waste at least 15cm deep. To clean utensils and cooking supplies, use gritty sand and a sourer instead of soap to avoid contaminating water and soil on the island.
Hinchinbrook Island is crocodile country—so your preparations will also need to include plans to be croc-wise.
Before travelling to Hinchinbrook Island
Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park, Townsville
The Thorsborne Trail is managed under the 'minimal impact bushwalking' and 'no-trace camping ethics' to help minimise visitors' impact and maintain the delicate wilderness habitats and breeding grounds.
With this in mind, know your route. Keep to the trails to prevent erosion and preserve the beauty of Hinchinbrook Island. Camping permits are required for the seven campsites accessible along the Thorsborne Trail. A maximum of two nights is permitted at each area (except Mulligan Falls where the limit is one night).
To begin your hiking expedition on Hinchinbrook Island, daily ferry services are provided by Hinchinbrook Island Cruises, operating out of Cardwell (Hinchinbrook Harbour) and Thorsborne Trail Transfers, operating out of Lucinda (Dungeness).
Your Thorsborne Trail adventure starts here:
DAY 1: 6.5km Ramsay Bay to Nina Bay and Little Ramsay Bay
Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park, Townsville
Time: Allow approx 5 hours
Water stop: 100 to 200 metres upstream of creeks at either end of Nina Bay, or the lagoon at Blacksand Beach
Camping: Little Ramsay Bay, southern side of the lagoon
Set off from Ramsay Bay and follow the terrain along the coastline. Around two hours into your journey, you’ll pass through a tall open forest of eucalyptus along the saddle of Nina Peak. While a little off the beaten track, Nina Peak is a highly recommended detour that rests inland of the track and boasts a spectacular view across Ramsay and Nina Bay. Journey to the top and catch your breath amidst the forestry.
Hinchinbrook Island is renowned for its natural habitats, among which are some of the richest and most diverse mangrove forests in Australia. It's also an important breeding ground and habitat for many marine animals; a feature of the first leg of your Thorsborne Trail journey just before reaching a rest stop at Nina Bay.
It’s here you’ll descend upon your first creek crossing, which is best to cross at low or half tide.
Emerging from the dense, thick rainforest and making footprints in the white sands of Nina Bay, rock-hop a few kilometres around the rugged headland before reaching your first campsite near Little Ramsey Bay—the final steps of day one of your Thorsborne Trail adventure.
DAY 2: 10.5km Little Ramsay Bay to Zoe Bay
Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park, Townsville
Time: Allow 6 hours
Water stop: Zoe Creek (600m upstream from the campsites) and Banksia Creek (100m upstream from the beach)
Camping: South Zoe Bay and Banksia Bay
From Little Ramsay Bay, the Thorsburne Trail proceeds south, starting with rock-hopping around the headland once more.
Hiking through this stretch of trail will lead you through formations and waters that feel frozen in time. You’re unlikely to happen upon other hikers along this leg, but keep an eye out for local turtles, frequently spotted along this stretch of beach.
Follow the trail and you’ll come to your second creek crossing. While this crossing is simpler and less dangerous than others, it’s highly recommended you pack a pair of reef shoes to wear interchangeably throughout your journey for these obstacles.
The hike to Zoe Bay is damp, and swampy, but incredibly rewarding once you embark upon Zoe Falls to finish off day two. After arriving at camp, venture half a kilometre to Zoe Falls for a well-deserved afternoon dip in the crisp, running waters.
Sit quietly enough in the falls and you’ll be greeted by the curious jungle perch and yabbies who call Zoe Falls home. At low tide, keep your eyes open for friendly armies of small, blue soldier crabs on the sand flats near the mouth of Zoe Creek.
DAY 3: 7.5km Zoe Bay to Mulligan Falls
Zoe Falls, Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park, Townsville
Time: Allow 4.5 hours
Water stop: Zoe Creek (600m upstream from the campsites), Sunken Reef Bay and Mulligan Falls
Camping: Mulligan Falls
Set your alarm early and head off before the sun rises for spectacular views across nature’s infinity pool, Zoe Falls. Sit on the pool's edge as the sunrise washes over Hinchinbrook—a trip-defining moment that few others will ever experience.
Begin your day by continuing along South Zoe Creek, following a spur to the granite rock pavement of a saddle. At 260m above sea level, you will have reached the highest point on the Thorsborne Trail. This point in the hike offers a milestone moment, where on a clear day you can see out to the Palm Islands and Magnetic Island.
From here, trek slopes of coastal she-oak and grass trees before arriving at the renowned creek crossing, Diamantina Creek. This is the most challenging crossing of your endeavour, particularly after heavy rain, so be sure-footed and careful.
The end of your day's journey will place you at Mulligan Falls to set up camp. While it’s too dangerous to swim at the falls, their cascading beauty can be enjoyed from the surrounding boulders. It’s important not to enter the restricted area around Mulligan Falls—slippery rocks make the area dangerous on foot.
DAY 4: 7.5km Mulligan Falls to George Point
Mulligan Falls, Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park, Townsville
Time: Allow around 3 hours
Water stop: Mulligan Falls (fill up your vessel before you go)
Be sure to fill up on fresh water at Mulligan Falls before you embark on the final leg of your hike. It’s the last reliable water source you’ll pass before reaching the end of the Thorsborne Trail.
This last leg delves deep into the thick rainforest of the Thorsborne Trail, so keep a close lookout for the orange marker points that will guide the way. There are several creek crossings before the finish line, but once you reach Mulligan Bay the final 5km is smooth sailing. There’s one final tidal creek crossing at Mulligan Creek, best crossed at low-to-half tide.
George Point, the southern exit of the trail, is a further 5km walk along the beach and signals the end of your island adventure. Stand at the surf’s edge and breathe in.
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