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If trekking through Jurassic Park-style wilderness, summiting cloud-covered mountains and camping along secluded beaches sounds like your idea of fun, we’ve found your next great big adventure. The only catch? It’s hiding just a 45-minute ferry ride off the Queensland coast.
Every year, only 7,000 visitors head to Hinchinbrook Island – the largest island national park on the Great Barrier Reef – for the 32-kilometre Thorsborne Trail. As the island's crowning jewel, this challenging yet spectacular wilderness trek permits just 12 walkers to depart each day. If you’re keen to claim one of those prized spots, you’ll need to book months in advance. Here’s everything you need to know about hiking the Thorsborne Trail.
Where is the Thorsborne Trail?
Much of the appeal of the Thorsborne Trail lies in its off-grid remoteness. This challenging track winds across Hinchinbrook Island, known as Munamudanamy to its Traditional Owners, the Bandjin and Girramay peoples. Spanning 39,000 hectares within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, it stands as one of Australia’s largest island national parks.
The only way to reach Hinchinbrook Island is by water. First, you’ll need to drive two hours from Townsville or Cairns to Cardwell or Lucinda. From there, a 45-minute voyage on a licensed boat – such as the Hinchinbrook Island Ferries – will drop you directly onto the edge of this car-free island.
How long is the Thorsborne Trail?
Stretching 32 kilometres along the eastern side of Hinchinbrook Island, the Thorsborne Trail is typically completed across four days and three nights. However, you can stay on the island for a maximum of five nights.
How to do the Thorsborne Trail?
There are two ways to tackle this breathtaking wilderness trail. Experienced hikers can opt to walk the trail independently, carrying their own tent, sleeping bag, food and fuel stoves. Along the way, there are seven campsites, all of which must be pre-booked. You can stay a maximum of two nights per campground, except Mulligan Falls where the limit is one night.
Alternatively, a newly launched experience by World Expeditions offers a fully guided journey including all meals, camping equipment and transfers from Townsville. It’s for brave hikers who appreciate a bit more support, good chats and proper food.
Whichever path you pick, you’ll get to explore the island’s dense tropical rainforest, summit cloud-covered peaks and swim at some of Australia’s most beautiful waterholes. Highlights include the coconut palm-fringed shoreline of Nina Bay, the natural infinity pool overlooking the ocean at Zoe Falls, and the shaded rainforest campground at Mulligan Falls.
When is the best time to do the Thorsborne Trail?
The Thorsborne Trail only opens to visitors from March 1 to December 31. To beat the tropical Queensland heat, the prime window for trekking is between April and September. Hiking and camping permits are released all at once a few months prior to the start of the season, with a strict cap of just 12 hikers per day. Given this exclusivity, passes sell out super fast – so you’ll want to set a reminder for the exact date and time they go on sale.
How to book the Thorsborne Trail?
You can book trail passes and camping permits via the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service website here.