Camping information
- Camping on the Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park
- Nina Bay camping area
- Little Ramsay Bay camping area
- Banksia Bay camping area
- Zoe Bay camping area
- Sunken Reef Bay camping area
- Mulligan Falls camping area
- George Point camping area
Camping on the Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park
There are seven camping areas along the Thorsborne Trail. The camping areas are described here in a north to south order and all are on the eastern side of Hinchinbrook Island.
Camping permits are required and fees apply. Group bookings and mountain access approval must be obtained through the Rainforest and Reef Information Centre before going to the island. It is best to book well in advance. The trail is very popular and often fully booked during peak periods and school holidays. Please notify permit offices of any cancellations so other walkers can obtain places on the trail.
Park-specific conditions
- The fawn-footed melomys (Melomys cervinipes) and the giant white-tailed rat (Uromys caudimaculatus) occur across the island. To avoid damage to packs and food supplies, remove all food from packs at night. Keep cooking utensils and food covered and off the ground. Rat-proof food boxes are provided at most camping areas. Do not hang packs in trees.
- Wear low-impact, soft-soled shoes around camp sites.
- Open camp fires and cooking fires are not allowed.
- Please ensure you supply relevant contact details when you book.
- Camping bookings are not for the individual camping areas but for the Thorsborne Trail generally.
Read more about staying safe and looking after the park.
Nina Bay camping area
- Thorsborne Trail map (PDF, 258K)*
Camping area features: under trees on and near the beach.
Location: this is the first camping area from the northern end of the Thorsborne Trail.
Access: the camping area can be reached on foot from the Thorsborne Trail.
Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites.
Camp sites are suitable for: trail walkers only.
Camp site surface: sand and dirt.
Facilities: composting toilets. Collect water from 100–200 m upstream of the creek at Nina Bay and the creek at Blacksand Beach.
Open fires: prohibited.
Generators: not permitted.
Essentials to bring: read things to know before you go.
Bookings: book online, over-the-counter or by phone.
Mobile phone coverage: poor.
Little Ramsay Bay camping area
- Thorsborne Trail map (PDF, 258K)*
Camping area features: under trees on and near the beach.
Location: at the southern side of the lagoon area at Little Ramsay Bay. This is the second camping area from the northern end of the Thorsborne Trail.
Access: the camping area can be reached on foot from the Thorsborne Trail.
Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites.
Camp sites are suitable for: trail walkers only.
Camp site surface: sand and dirt.
Facilities: composting toilets. Collect water from the creek upstream from the lagoon area.
Open fires: prohibited.
Generators: not permitted.
Essentials to bring: read things to know before you go.
Bookings: book online, over-the-counter or by phone.
Mobile phone coverage: poor.
Banksia Bay camping area
- Thorsborne Trail map (PDF, 258K)*
Camping area features: under trees and in the open near the beach setting
Location: 300 m off the main Thorsborne Trail, this small camping area is on the beach at Banksia Bay. It is the third camping area from the northern end of the Thorsborne Trail.
Access: the camping area can be reached on foot from the Thorsborne Trail or by boat.
Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites.
Camp sites are suitable for: trail walkers, boat-based camping and sea kayak-based camping.
Camp site surface: sand and dirt.
Facilities: none. Collect water from Banksia Creek, 100 m upstream from the beach.
Open fires: prohibited.
Generators: not permitted.
Essentials to bring: read things to know before you go.
Bookings: book online, over-the-counter or by phone.
Mobile phone coverage: poor.
Zoe Bay camping area
At low tide look for armies of small, blue soldier crabs on the sand flats near the mouth of South Zoe Creek. Photo: DERM
- Thorsborne Trail map (PDF, 258K)*
Camping area features: under trees on and near the beach.
Location: at the southern end of Zoe Bay. This is the fourth camping area from the northern end of the Thorsborne Trail.
Access: the camping area can be reached on foot from the Thorsborne Trail or by boat.
Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites.
Camp sites are suitable for: trail walkers and boat-based camping.
Camp site surface: sand and dirt.
Facilities: composting toilets and picnic tables. Collect water from Zoe Creek, 600 m upstream from the camping area.
Open fires: prohibited.
Generators: not permitted.
Essentials to bring: read things to know before you go.
Bookings: book online, over-the-counter or by phone.
Mobile phone coverage: poor.
Sunken Reef Bay camping area
Green turtles occasionally nest on the beach at Sunken Reef Bay. Photo: DERM.
- Thorsborne Trail map (PDF, 258K)*
Camping area features: under trees near the beach and on the beach. Between October and March beach stone-curlews (Esacus neglectus) and the occasional green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nest here.
Location: 30 mins off the main Thorsborne Trail, the camping area is behind the foredune at Sunken Reef Bay. This is the fifth camping area from the northern end of the trail.
Access: the camping area can be reached on foot from the Thorsborne Trail.
Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites.
Camp sites are suitable for: trail walkers and sea kayak-based camping.
Camp site surface: sand.
Facilities: none. Collect water from the creek at northern end of beach and Diamantina Creek.
Open fires: prohibited.
Generators: not permitted.
Essentials to bring: read things to know before you go.
Bookings: book online, over-the-counter or by phone.
Mobile phone coverage: poor.
Mulligan Falls camping area
- Thorsborne Trail map (PDF, 258K)*
Camping area features: in the rainforest near Mulligan Falls.
Do not enter the restricted access area (PDF, 341K)* at the falls. Death and serious injuries have occurred when people have entered this area. Rock pavements, including those well back from the falls, are extremely slippery and dangerous.
Location: near the base of Mulligan Falls. This is the sixth camping area from the northern end of the Thorsborne Trail.
Access: the camping area can be reached on foot from the Thorsborne Trail.
Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites.
Camp sites are suitable for: trail walkers only.
Camp site surface: dirt.
Facilities: composting toilets. Collect water from the creek at the base of the falls.
Open fires: prohibited.
Generators: not permitted.
Essentials to bring: read things to know before you go.
Bookings: book online, over-the-counter or by phone.
Mobile phone coverage: poor.
George Point camping area
- Thorsborne Trail map (PDF, 258K)*
Camping area features: under trees on and near the beach.
Location: at the southern end of Mulligan Bay, this is the southern exit/entrance of the Thorsborne Trail.
Access: the camping area can be reached by boat and from the Thorsborne Trail.
Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites.
Camp sites are suitable for: trail walkers and boat-based camping.
Camp site surface: sand and dirt.
Facilities: composting toilets and picnic table. There is no fresh water.
Open fires: prohibited.
Generators: not permitted.
Essentials to bring: read things to know before you go.
Bookings: book online, over-the-counter or by phone.
Mobile phone coverage: poor.
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 9 December 2011