Hinchinbrook Island - Thorsborne Trail

What do you think of when Tropical North Queensland gets mentioned? Beaches, Palm trees, crystal clear creeks, waterfalls, rainforest and crocodiles. Well one Epic Island in the tropics has it all, with an awesome 32km hiking trail through it!

Hinchinbrook Island, The Thorsborne Trail. Having been brought up in North Queensland I had driven through the town of Cardwell countless times. I have always had a fascination with the monster Island out in the distance, but never had I imagined there would be a hiking trail on it.
 
The Thorsborne trail is an amazing hike that most people take a comfortable 4 days to complete. It’s a reasonably well marked trail that will take you on up and down mountains, along beaches, through creeks, over rocks and through swamps.

To get to and from the Island you require a boat transfer from either Cardwell or Lucinda that takes around 40 minutes - 1 hour and it’s a great way to begin the adventure! Hinchinbrook Island Cruises is a great business to use, Brad the skipper has great knowledge on the area and has many epic stories to tell.

 

 

Trail Details:

Location: Far North Queensland - Cardwell.
Distance: 32km.
Time: 3-4 Days.
Difficulty: Easy - Medium.
Start & Finish: Ramsay Bay - George Point.
Permit Required - Through QLD Parks - Book way in advance.

 
Day 1 - Ramsay Bay to Little Ramsay ( 6.5 km)

Cardwell - Ramsay Bay via boat transfer, this takes around 40 minutes to 1 hour, this is truly a great start to the hike as you can see the awesome terrain you are about to be hiking. When the boat turns around the front of the island and into the inlets the excitement sets in! You soon realize how big and epic the Island really is, Queensland’s own Jurassic park! Once you step off the boat there is a short board walk to one of the most picturesque beaches in Australia, Ramsey Bay. You will be looking down a pristine long sandy beach that has huge Jurassic Park mountains over-looking it, It’s quite special.

At the end of the beach the arrows direct you into the rainforest and you start the trek to the Nina Peak turn off. Nina Peak is an extra side track that takes around 15-30 minutes to get to the top (you can leave your packs at the bottom). At the top you are treated to incredible views. Views of where you just come from and where your about to go. Definitely worth the detour!

Nina Bay is the next stop and it’s a perfect place to kick back and have lunch. There is also the option to camp here if you want to spend more time on the Island.

 

 

From Nina Bay the trail goes along the beach and up and over some rocks before heading into the bush, be prepared to get on all fours and do some rock climbing! The trail undulates through the bush for a few kilometres before coming back out onto the beach, where the camp is.
The camp spot is set back in the trees just off the beach beside a big lagoon, where there may or may not be some crocodile friends, so it’s definitely recommended not to swim!

The water source is up behind the lagoon, a freshwater creek. Filter your water or use water purification tablets or drops to reduce the chance of getting sick.

Hinchinbrook is home to some cute little native fawn footed melomys and white-tailed rats… they are known to eat through tents and packs for food. Qld Parks have provided hanging racks for your food bags and packs that the little creatures cannot get up, use them!
 
 

 

Day 2 - Little Ramsay to Zoe Bay (10.5 km)

My favorite day on the Thorsborne Trail! Start the day by watching the sun rise over the ocean and watch the light hit the monster mountains above.
The day of hiking starts with a beach walk and crossing through a tidal creek - Tip, check the tide charts to know when it’s shallowest to cross. The trail then directs onto a technical rock section that is whole lot of fun to navigate through. Then the trail leaves the beach and heads into the rainforest, where there are numerous creek cross-ings and swamps to stomp through. It’s amazing to see your surroundings change throughout this day.

Finally you will end up at a huge beach called Zoe Bay, walk South to the very end and a number of camp sites are tucked in amongst the Palm trees just off the beach. The perfect way to end this day is to make the 15 minute trek up to Zoe Falls for an afternoon swim. This waterfall is pure magic and worth the extra trek for the day.

 

 

Day 3 - Zoe Bay to Mulligan Falls (7.5 km)

Wake up early, pack your gear and head up to the top of Zoe Falls… (Allow 25 minutes) This is by far one of the most spectacular places you could watch the sunrise from, make it even bet-ter by making your breakfast up there. At the top of Zoe falls you are treated to an infinity pool and the most iconic view of Hinchinbrook, take it in!

The trek today is a little more exposed than the rest of the days and you can expect rock hopping through creeks and epic views. The trail follows the creek upstream for awhile and then heads up the mountain where if you look back you can see how far you have come in the last few days! Tip - This is also a spot Telstra users will have limited reception… ‘Telstra Hill!' The trail then heads through dense rainforest and will pop up at the top of another hill where you will get your first glance at the Lucinda Jetty. The Lucinda Jetty is 5.76 kilometres long and is one of the worlds longest Jetties! It is used to move raw sugar to large ships for countries like Canada and Malaysia.

From this point you're around an hour from the Mulligan falls campsite. This campsite is my favourite as your camped right at the waterfall. Mulligan Falls is a beautiful crystal clear waterfall and what a treat it is at the end of the day hiking. Sit back, have a dip and relax.

 

 

 

Day 4 - Mulligan Falls to George Point (7.5 km)

The last day! Only hours away from that post multi day hike meal, woohoo! Out of all of the days this day is the easiest, you have around a 2km bush walk and then the final stretch on the beach. Know when your boat is arriving and allow around 2 - 3 hours to get to George Point.   At around the half way point on the beach is the last tidal creek crossing and the biggest… Know the tides and when its shallowest to cross, as this one looks like a crocodiles home and you don’t want to be caught swimming across it… Your boat driver can tell you the tide times before he leaves you. The last stretch of the beach is truly a lovely way to end this hike. Once your at George point keep a look out for your boat as sometimes they come early.

You did it! The boat trip back is around 1 hour and it’s a perfect time to reflect on what you have just done and to dream about that post hike burger ;) You deserve it.

 

 

The Thorsborne Trail is definitely a trek that every hiker needs to do. Get on it.
 
My Gear list:

• Osprey Eja 58L pack
• Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 3 Person tent (For 2 people)
• Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Women’s Sleeping Mat.
• Sea to Summit Ember 2 EbII Down Sleeping Bag
• Sea To Summit Aeros Premium Pillow
• 360 Furno Stove and Pot Set
• Marmot Rain Jacket.
• 2 Sets of clothes.
• Thermarest Z-Seat - Sitting Pad.
• LifeStraw Flex Water Filter.
• Spot GPS Device
• Black Diamond Astro 175 Lumens Headlamp

Food:

• Breakfast: Breakfast bars & Coffee.
• Lunch: Bean mix or Tuna and wraps.
• Snacks: Bars, Apples, Mandarins & Chocolates.
• Dinners: Backcountry or Outdoor Gourmet freeze-dried meals & Naan bread.