Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hinchinbrook Island
Australia's largest island national park is a holy grail for walkers and those wanting to
spend a bit of alone time with nature. Granite mountains rise dramatically from the sea;
rugged Mt Bowen (1121m) is the 399-sq-km island's highest peak. The mainland side is
dense with lush tropical vegetation, while long sandy beaches and tangles of mangrove
curve around the eastern shore. Hinchinbrook's rainforest sustained considerable damage
during Cyclone Yasi.
Hinchinbrook's highlight is the Thorsborne Trail (also known as the East Coast Trail), a
32km coastal track from Ramsay Bay past Zoe Bay, with its beautiful waterfall, to George
Point at the southern tip. NPRSR camp sites ( 13 74 68; www.nprsr.qld.gov.au ; per person $5.45) are in-
terspersed along the route. It's recommended that you take three nights to complete the
challenging trail; return walks of individual sections are also possible. This is no tiptoe
through the tulips, but a real-life wilderness adventure, with hungry native beasts (includ-
ing crocs), saber-toothed mossies, and very rough patches. You'll have to draw your own
water.
As only 40 walkers are allowed to traverse the trail at any one time, NPRSR recom-
mends booking a year ahead for a place during the high season and six months ahead for
other dates. Cancellations are not unheard of, so it's worth asking if you've arrived
without a booking.
Hinchinbrook Island Cruises ( 07-4066 8601; www.hinchinbrookislandcruises.com.au ) runs a service
from Cardwell to Hinchinbrook's Ramsay Bay boardwalk (one way $90, one hour). It also
operates a cruise to Zoe Bay as well as water taxis for the region and island transfers:
book through Cardwell's Rainforest & Reef Centre ( Click here ) .
Thorsborne Trail walkers can pick up a one-way transfer back to the mainland with
Hinchinbrook Wilderness Safaris ( 07-4777 8307; www.hinchinbrookwildernesssafaris.com.au ; $50) , from
George Point at the southern end of the trail.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Tully
POP 2500
It may look like just another sleepy sugar-cane village, but Tully is a burg with a boast,
calling itself the 'Wettest town in Australia'. A gigantic golden gumboot at Tully's entrance is
 
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