One of the World's Most Renowned Wilderness Walks

Hinchinbrook Island

The Thorsborne Trail can be walked south from Ramsay Bay or north from George Point. The north to south direction is described below along with a list of safety procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency.

Ramsay Bay to Nina Bay - 4km - 2.5 hours
From the boardwalk walk south to the headland at the southern end of Ramsay Bay. The Trail starts to the right of a large granite rock and follows a ridge across and down towards the middle of Blacksand Beach. Seasonal water is generally available behind the small lagoon between January and August.

The Trail continues about two-thirds of the way along the beach between three large paperbark trees, Melaleuca leucadendra. It then passes through tall open forest, mainly Gympie messmate, Eucalyptus cloeziana, and on to the saddle below Nina Peak.

The Trail then descends along a seasonal watercourse and enters from the rear of a mangrove forest where stands of red-flowered black mangrove, Lumnitzera littorea, and spider mangrove, Rhizophora stylosa, occur. Crossing here on a high tide may be difficult. The Trail then follows the edge of the mangroves before emerging near the northern end of Nina Bay.

Campsites and a toilet are provided here. The most reliable fresh water can be found in the creek at the southern end of the beach. Flowing water can usually be found 100-200m upstream.

Nina Bay to Little Ramsay Bay - 2.5km - 2 hours
At the southern end of Nina Bay, the Trail crosses a rocky section towards the base of a small cliff. Climb this and proceed around the headland to Boulder Bay. Green sea turtles can often be seen in the water along this section. Rock hop around Boulder Bay to the base of the headland at the southern end.

NOTE: At very high tides, a detour through dense vegetation around the top of Nina headland may be necessary.

At the southern end of Boulder Bay, orange markers mark the Trail which proceeds south-easterly over the low ridge to the northern end of Little Ramsay Bay. Fresh water may be found by following the creek up from the lagoon. Campsites and a toilet are located on the southern side of the lagoon area.

Little Ramsay Bay to Zoe Bay - 10.5 km - 6 hours
From Little Ramsay Bay proceed south. Cross a tidal creek and continue to rocks at the end of the beach. Rock hop to the next small beach. At the end of this beach the Trail leads to the upper edge of some rocks over to a larger sandy beach. From the other end of this beach the Trail heads south-easterly via a small gully to the top of the ridge.

At this point, a side path leads to Banksia Bay (600m return). The main Trail descends into Banksia Creek crossing to the southern side and then continues in a south easterly direction to the top of the saddle, between Banksia and Zoe bays. At the top of the saddle the Trail then descends via a rocky creek into rainforest within the Zoe Bay catchment.

The Trail then turns south-south-westerly through open forest, rainforest and mangroves to North Zoe Creek. Along this section, the large leaves, corky bark and bright yellow flowers of the golden bouquet tree, Deplanchea tetraphylla, are a feature.

In several of the palm swamps between North Zoe Creek and Fan Palm Creek and in tall rainforest areas, the Trail may be poorly defined. Look carefully for the markers.

The most reliable water is at Fan Palm Creek and Cypress Pine Creek. Water in the creek here can be refreshing. The rainforest along this section is ideal for bird-watching. The deep 'wallock-a-woo' call of the elusive wompoo fruit-dove can sometimes be heard from within the canopy.

Look out for lawyer vine, Calamus moti, and C.australis, a climbing palm with hook-studded branches. These vines hook onto the surrounding tree trunks, branches and leaves to support growth towards the canopy.

Along this part of the Trail tall palm forest and rainforest can be seen. Be prepared to get wet feet here as there are several creek crossings and swampy sections. The Trail enters onto the beach at Zoe Bay. The mouth of South Zoe Creek is about 400m south.

From the southern end of the beach the Trail leads through a magnificent rainforest featuring the orange trunks of brush touriga trees, Calophyllum sil, and the large, buttressed blue quandong, Elaeocarpus grandis. Its bright blue fruit are often seen on the Trail. The presence of large eucalypts emerging above the forest canopy here suggests that this has not always been a rainforest. Current theories are that rainforest has invaded an open eucalypt forest over the last few decades because of absence of fire.

Zoe Bay to Diamantina Creek - 6.5km - 4 hours
The Trail runs parallel with South Zoe Creek and then crosses approximately 100m down-stream from Zoe Falls and the beautiful pool for which Zoe Bay is famous. It then continues up a steep slope onto the granite slabs above the falls where there are spectacular views of Zoe Bay.

NOTE: For health and environmental reasons, camping is NOT PERMITTED AT OR ABOVE ZOE FALLS. Revegetation of disturbed areas is in progress.

The Trail then follows South Zoe Creek occasionally crossing its narrow, rocky tributaries. It then follows a distinct spur to a granite rock pavement which marks the saddle. This point 260m above the sea is the highest point of the Trail.

Along this section the Trail passes through the tall heath community typical of much of the mountainous part of Hinchinbrook Island. Among the many attractive sights are the rare blue banksia, Banksia plagiocarpa, with its blue-grey flowers, gnarled cones and spectacular rusty-red new foliage and the pink flowers of the native lasiandra, Melastoma affine.

Along the creeks coral fern, Lycopodium cernuum, and insectivorous plants such as the sundews, Drosera adelae and D.spathulata line the moist banks. After crossing the saddle the Trail traverses steep, forested slopes of the Sweetwater Creek catchment before climbing into coastal sheoak and grass tree, Xanthorrhoea johnsonii, shrubland. The grass tree's tall flower-spike produces white flowers which are rich in nectar and a popular food for many native birds and insects.

The Trail then descends into the Diamantina Creek catchment, passing a side track to Sunken Reef Bay on the way, before reaching the Diamantina Creek crossing.

Sunken Reef Bay
The side track to Sunken Reef Bay camp site takes about 30 minutes. If the large lagoon behind the beach is full, follow the southern bank out to the beach. Water is available up a small creek at the northern end of the beach. During the dry season water can be obtained from Diamantina Creek. Camping behind the foredune is popular with sea kayakers and walkers. Between October and March be aware that beach thick-knees and the occasional sea green turtle nest here. Remember, no wood fires are allowed.

Diamantina Creek to Mulligan Falls camp - 1km - 30 minutes
Use caution when crossing Diamantina Creek, particularly if the creek is swollen after heavy rain. Follow the markers diagonally across the creek and the Trail continues up a short slope before descending a steep hillside to reach the base of Mulligan Falls. Along this section are good views of Lucinda and the Palm Islands. Camp in an area 100m from the falls. Please camp at designated sites only, and use the toilet provided.

Take precautions so native rats do not damage packs and tents in their attempt to get food. Rock pavements above the falls are extremely slippery and dangerous. Do not enter this area.

Mulligan Falls camp to George Point - 7.5km - 2.5 hours
If camping is intended at George Point, fresh water should be collected before leaving Mulligan Falls.

The Trail continues a further 2.5km through rainforest and crosses five creeks. The last, Moth Creek, provides fresh water seasonally but should not be relied on. The trail then enters the northern end of Mulligan Bay denoted by a sign about 300m south of Diamantina Creek inlet.

Camping is allowed near the inlet. George Point, the southern end of the Trail, is a further 5km walk along the beach. Two-thirds along, Mulligan Creek flows into the Bay. It is advisable to cross this creek at low to half tide. Fresh water is not available here or at George Point. The best camping is at George Point or near the mouth of Diamantina Creek.

For Camping Permits on Hinchinbrook Island and all National Parks, visit the Environmental Protection Authority Website: www.epa.qld.gov.au and click on "Camping Bookings" or telephone within Australia toll free 131304