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Thorsborne Trail
Hinchinbrook Island, Australia
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Named after the late Arthur Thorsborne, the Thorsborne Trail follows the eastern side of Hinchinbrook Island, 5 mi off the Queensland coast. This rugged island has everything from cloud-covered mountains to lush rainforest and mangrove fringes.
Allow for a minimum of 3 days to hike the trail. An extra day on the trail could be used to summit Nina Peak or relaxing at Mulligan Falls. Be aware that this is crocodile country - stay out of the water and camp as far away from the water as possible in designated campsites.
Length
17.9 mi
Elevation Gain
2,051 ft
Best Time to Hike
Apr - Sep
Duration
3-4 days
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Type
Point to Point
When To Go
April to September are the best months to hike the Thorsborne Trail to avoid the very wet or very dry periods. The trail can sometimes be closed due to severe weather or planned burns, so be sure to check the official trail website before heading out. Fresh water availability can vary depending on season and rainfall.
How To Get There
The Thorsborne Trail is located on Hinchinbrook Island, which is separated from the northern coast of Queensland, Australia by the narrow Hinchinbrook Channel.
Most people hike the Thorsborne Trail from north to south. In this case:
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The trail starts at Ramsay Bay. Fly into Cairns or Townsville, drive to Cardwell (2-3 hrs) and take a commercial ferry or private vessel from Cardwell to Ramsey Bay (1 hr).
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The trail ends at George Point. Take a commercial ferry or private vessel from George Point to Lucinda (15 min).
Both Hinchinbrook Island Cruises and Absolute North Charters offer boat services to and from the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island. Be sure to book well in advance.
Permit
A camping permit is required to hike the Thorsborne Trail. The trail is very popular, so be sure to book your permit well in advance.
To book your permit:
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Go to the Queensland National Parks Booking Service website
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Create an account if you don’t already have one
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Once you’re logged in, select “Thorsborne Trail” from the “Enter Park Name” dropdown, your arrival date, and the number of nights you plan to spend on the trail (at least 3 nights is recommended), and click on “Search”
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In the search results, click on “Reserve” to book your permit
Where To Camp
Out of 16 total campsites, there are 7 campsites that are reserved just Thorsborne Trail hikers. Camping permits are required - see the Permit section for more details. When you book your permit, you’ll get access to any Thorsborne Trail campsite during your hike, so you don’t have to book each campsite separately.
Know Before You Go
Crocodiles - The trail is in crocodile country, so stay at least 16 ft from the water’s edge at all times. When setting up camp, do so at least 164 ft from the water’s edge. Be sure to report any crocodile sightings to CrocWatch.
Repellent - You’ll encounter plenty of mosquitos, especially at the Zoe Bay campsite, so be sure to bring insect repellent and cover up arms and legs when you get to camp to avoid bites.
Links & Resources
Queensland National Parks
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Thorsborne Trail
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Permit Booking Service
Ferry to Hinchinbrook Island
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Hinchinbrook Island Cruises
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Absolute North Charters