5
Moderate
Activities
  • 4 days walking with a medium pack (9-12kg)
Accommodation
  • 3 nights camping
Meals
  • 3 Dinners
  • 4 Lunches
  • 3 Breakfasts

4 Days$2395AUD

Trip Code: TTG

The Thorsborne Trail Guided Walk Trip highlights


  • Walk the full 32km Thorsborne Trail, on unspoiled Munamudanamy (Hinchinbrook Island National Park)
  • Enjoy iconic tropical vistas, soaring mountains & explore rainforests, mangroves and sandy beaches
  • Swim at some of the most beautiful waterholes in Australia
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the outstanding plant diversity in the area
  • Spend evenings under the stars at wilderness campsites

The Thorsborne Trail is a 32km coastal journey across Hinchinbrook Island - one of Australia’s most iconic wilderness hikes. Remote and self-contained, this multi-day walk showcases the tropical island's natural beauty and cultural significance as it leads you through ever-changing terrain: mist-cloaked mountains, palm-filled wetlands, secluded beaches and spring-fed creeks perfect for a refreshing swim.

This exciting coastal trail has both beach and bush camping opportunities and offers a unique walk through a variety of landscapes in a breathtaking tropical environment. This walk is remote experience that will take in the island's freshwater creeks and waterfalls, spectacular coastal scenery and breathtaking vistas.

To the Traditional Owners - the Bandjin people, Traditional Owners of Munamudanamy, and the Girramay People, Traditional Owners of Cardwell - Hinchinbrook Island is known as Munamudanamy - the collective name that describes the journey you'll experience along the Thorsborne Trail through the landscape of sea, mangroves, rivers, swamps, forests and mountains.

Munamudanamy is located on the east coast of north Queensland, 120 kilometres north of Townsville, and is the largest island national park in Australia. Hinchinbrook Island is known for its range of habitats including misty, heath-covered mountains (with four peaks over 900 metres above sea level), sandy beaches, paperbark and palm wetlands and extensive woodlands. Patches of lush rainforest and eucalypt woodland descend to a mangrove-fringed channel in the west, with sweeping bays and rocky headlands along the east coast. With more than 19 mammal, 32 reptile and about 150 bird species, you are guaranteed to encounter wildlife and enjoy the vibrant wildflower displays in spring.

This is a true tropical adventure.

Activities:

Itinerary

We will depart from Townsville early this morning and drive to either Lucinda or Cardwell (tide dependent) for our boat trip to Munamudanamy (Hinchinbrook Island). Commencing at the northern trailhead at Ramsay Bay and a long stretch of beach, we will follow the coastline south to the headland and into thick forest that opens up as we walk to several bays. The walk starts following along a ridge, before descending to Blacksand Beach. The trail then continues along the beach beneath broad-leaved tea-trees, then onto the saddle below Nina Peak. As we continue we will enter mangrove forest where strands of red-flowered black mangrove and spotted mangrove are found. Continuing along the edge of the mangroves before emerging near the northern end of the white sandy Nina Bay. At the southern end of Nina Bay, we will cross a rocky section and heads toward the base of a small cliff. We'll climb up the cliff and continue around the headland to Boulder Bay. Green turtles are often seen in the sea along this section. We'll then head around Boulder Bay to the base of the headland at the southern end, then over the low ridge to the northern end of Little Ramsay Bay and onto Little Ramsay Bay camping area. Walking Time: 5-6 hours | Distance: 5.5km *You will need to arrive in Townsville the day before your trip, ensuring that you arrive in time to attend the afternoon pre-trip briefing.

Meals:  L,D

From Little Ramsay Bay camping area we will head south, crossing a tidal creek and continuing to the end of the beach. After rock-hopping around the headland we cross two other beaches before moving through a small gully and to the top of a ridge. We continue south, descending to the Banksia Creek crossing and onwards to the saddle between Banksia and Zoe Bays. At the top of the saddle, the trail descends a rocky creek into the Zoe Bay catchment. As we walk towards North Zoe Creek we will pass through a variety of vegetation types, from dry open forest to rainforest and mangrove swamps. To end the day the trail then enters the beach at Zoe Bay and onto the South Zoe Bay camping area. The spectacular Zoe Falls are just a short walk from the camping area. Walking Time: 6-8 hours | Distance: 10.5km

Meals:  B,L,D

We start the walk today following South Zoe Creek, before heading up a steep slope onto the granite slabs above the falls where there are spectacular views of Zoe Bay. The trail today will have us crossing narrow rocky tributaries and climbing into the heathlands and the highest point of the main trail (260m above sea level). On clear days you can sometimes see views to Magnetic Island and the Palm Island Group. After crossing the saddle, we will traverse steep forested slopes of the Sweetwater Creek catchment before climbing into coast she-oak and grass-tree shrubland. The trail then descends into the Diamantina Creek catchment. We will continue up a short slope and descend a steep hillside to reach the base of Mulligan Falls and onto Mulligan Falls camping area. Walking Time: 4.5-6 hours | Distance: 7.5km

Meals:  B,L,D

Our last day of walking follows the coast, travelling through rainforest and crossing five creeks. Just south of the Diamantina Creek inlet, we will leave the rainforest and walk along the beach to George Point, the southern exit of the trail. Depending on the tides our boat will meet us at either Mulligan Bay or George Point for our return trip to Lucinda on the mainland. We will have a celebratory drink and meal in Lucinda before driving back to Townsville where the trip will conclude. Walking Time: 2.5-4 hours | Distance: 7.5km

Meals:  B,L


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.


Inclusions

  • 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, snacks & hot drinks
  • 3 nights camping
  • Professional wilderness guide & support staff
  • Camping equipment including tents and comfortable sleeping mattress, plus all cooking equipment and utensils
  • Camp pack including: sheet liner and pillow case
  • National Park fees
  • Boat transfer to the northern trailhead and back from the southern trailhead
  • Transfers from/to Cardwell and Lucinda from Townsville
  • Emergency communications & 24 hour back-up
  • Comprehensive group first aid kit
  • Mandatory pre-trip briefing held the day before the trip starts

  • Accommodation before and after the trip
  • Items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages
  • Backpack
  • Airfares
  • Travel insurance

Accommodation


Trail Surface


Suitability

Moderate

5

The Thorsborne Trail is graded moderate. This trek involves walking 4-8 hours each day over rugged and remote terrain with some steep ascents and descents. The trail is neither graded nor hardened. You can expect to be walking on unformed tracks, which are likely to be very rough, very steep and unmarked. Prior bushwalking experience is recommended. Walkers must be confident hiking for four days while carrying a medium pack. Suggested preparation: We recommend one hour of strenuous exercise 3-4 times per week (this can be cycling, jogging or walking) interspersed with relatively demanding bushwalks carrying a medium pack weight (between 9-12kg). At least once a week, you should walk with a weighted day pack (5–7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. The best exercise is multi day bushwalking involving relatively steep ascents and descents and in variable weather conditions.


Departure dates


Notes

H
High Season
Note:
A high season supplement applies for dates that overlap with a public holiday.

Priceper person from

$2395AUD

Options & Supplements*
  • Single Supplement (limited - max 2 per departure)AUD$600
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Thorsborne Trail Guided Walk trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


Frequently Asked Questions

A majority of the terrain on Hinchinbrook Island is rough and rocky, particularly on high ground, in gorges, creek and river beds. The ground is often distorted with embedded or loose rock depending on the trail variations. There may be loose roots in the rainforest sections.

You will need a good level of fitness for this trek on the Hinchinbrook Island. You need to be capable and prepared to spend 4-8 hours each day trekking over rugged terrain with some steep ascents and descents. If you have any questions about your suitability please give us a call and speak with one of our staff members. We are more than happy to discuss additional information about what you can expect.

You must arrive in Townsville the day before your trek begins. The trip commences with a COMPULSORY pre-departure briefing in the afternoon on the day before departure. It is ESSENTIAL that you make your travel arrangements to enable you to attend this briefing.

Yes. The terrain on this trek is rugged, and for your comfort, you must have high supported boots with a heavy duty grip. There are lots of rocky, uneven and unstable sections, so ankle support will be beneficial.

For your expedition you will need to carry all equipment in a medium trekking backpack. Depending on the quantity of personal gear and toiletries the average pack weight will be approximately 8-12kg.

Any excess luggage can be stored at your pre/post tour accommodation in Townsville.

Hiking poles can definitely assist you with going up and down the inclines and for stability. If you have not used them previously, we recommend that you do some training with them before you head out on the hike.

There are no showers on the island, however there are freshwater creeks where you can have a quick refreshing dip. However, for a real cleanse we recommend you bring baby wipes (remember to take them out with you as well!).


The Thorsborne Trail Guided Walk Trip reviews


The Thorsborne Trail Guided Walk Videos

Thorsborne Trail Guided Walk by Australian Walking Holidays

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Similar trips