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Australia🇦🇺 | hikesThorsborne Trail32 km, island beaches, Zoe Falls, ferry access, quota permits | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Thorsborne Trail
👌 Worth visitinghike ranked #9
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

The Thorsborne Trail is not a walk across the whole of Hinchinbrook Island, only along its eastern side, and it runs one way, north to south, in a quota-limited permit system. It sits off the tropical coast of north Queensland in Australia, reached by ferry from Cardwell. Scenery is rainforest, granite peaks, and empty beaches. It is about 32 km, rough and muddy, and takes 3 to 4 days. Book permits months ahead, since walkers without one get turned away, and pre-book the ferry both ways or you will pay for a stranded night. Carry all food in rodent-proof containers. I had expected a croc to steal the show, but at Zoe Bay a pair of tiny, bold scrub fowl strutted through my camp, ignoring me entirely. Zoe Falls drops into a deep pool about 1 km inland from Zoe Bay.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Australia Travel Guide.
Best time to go: May - October
Duration: 4 days
Distance: 32 kilometers
Total ascent: 1000 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #9 hike in AustraliaWhat makes it a must-see hike

Backpackers chase this one because it is a true wilderness trail with a cap on numbers, so you meet few people. The Zoe Bay campsite alone is worth the paperwork: a freshwater creek runs from the falls onto an empty beach, and you sleep to the sound of surf. Hinchinbrook is one of the largest island national parks in Australia, and the trail threads through mangroves, rainforest, and open eucalypt forest in a few days. You can also pick a shorter version, walking in from Ramsay Bay and out via Zoe Bay for a flexible trip. It fits neatly into a Queensland coast route, since Cardwell sits on the highway between Townsville and Cairns, and the logistics are one ferry and one permit. The reward is a remote island trek that needs no guide, only self-sufficiency.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Mulligan Falls: A freshwater creek tumbles over granite boulders into a swimming hole near the southern end, with a camp close by.
  2. Zoe Bay and Zoe Falls: A long beach backed by rainforest, with a waterfall dropping from the ridge above. A short walk from camp leads to the upper pools.
  3. Ramsay Bay: The ferry drops you at a boardwalk through mangroves leading to a wide beach, where the trail begins with a steady sand walk.
  4. Nina Peak and Mount Bowen views: Mount Bowen, the island’s highest point, towers over the trail, and ridge sections give wide looks over the Coral Sea.
  5. Little Ramsay Bay: A quieter beach near the start, with fine sand and little foot traffic, ideal for a first night.
Most visitors skip the side track at Zoe Bay to the upper falls pools, which have the best views and far fewer people.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to hike the Thorsborne Trail

  • Dry Season (May to October): This is when you walk the Thorsborne Trail, with days of 22 to 27°C (72 to 81°F), cool nights near 12 to 15°C (54 to 59°F), and about 11 to 12 hours of daylight. Camp permits sell out weeks ahead, especially in June to August.
  • Build-Up (November to December): Expect 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F), heavy humidity, and stinger season at sea level. Crowds thin, but creek crossings and heat make the walking sticky.
  • Wet Season (January to April): Cyclones and flooding are possible, temperatures sit around 25 to 33°C (77 to 91°F), and daylight reaches 13 hours. Mosquitoes and leeches peak, and the track may close.
Book your campsites as soon as the booking window opens, and aim for a midweek start.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
australia-hike-thorsborne-trail
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Australia


Best quality hotels in Australia

🥾 Hike detailsKey facts about the Thorsborne Trail hike

Total Distance: About 32 km one way.
Estimated Duration: 3 to 4 days, with 4 days giving time for swims.
Difficulty: Hard. Rocky, muddy, with creek crossings and little signage.
Starting Point: Ramsay Bay on the north end, reached by ferry from Cardwell. The finish is George Point in the south, with a ferry pickup back to Lucinda.
Major Landmarks:
  • Ramsay Bay: Mangrove boardwalk and beach start.
  • Little Ramsay Bay: Quiet beach camp.
  • Zoe Bay: Falls and beach camp.
  • Mulligan Falls: Swimming pools and camp.
Terrain and Scenery: Sandy beaches, boulder-hopping, creek crossings, and forested ridges with sea views.
… read more 👉
Total Distance: About 32 km one way.
Estimated Duration: 3 to 4 days, with 4 days giving time for swims.
Difficulty: Hard. Rocky, muddy, with creek crossings and little signage.
Starting Point: Ramsay Bay on the north end, reached by ferry from Cardwell. The finish is George Point in the south, with a ferry pickup back to Lucinda.
Major Landmarks:
  • Ramsay Bay: Mangrove boardwalk and beach start.
  • Little Ramsay Bay: Quiet beach camp.
  • Zoe Bay: Falls and beach camp.
  • Mulligan Falls: Swimming pools and camp.
Terrain and Scenery: Sandy beaches, boulder-hopping, creek crossings, and forested ridges with sea views.
Vegetation: Mangroves, tropical rainforest, eucalypt woodland, and heath.
Wildlife:
  • Crocodiles: Present in estuaries and creek mouths, so stay clear of the water’s edge.
  • Scrub fowl and goannas: Common around camps.
  • Rodents and stingers: Rats raid food, and jellyfish are present in the warmer months.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

The Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island is a remote, unmaintained track, so self-reliance matters more than fitness. Navigation is mostly by markers through rainforest, mangroves, and boulder-strewn creek beds, and footing is slippery after rain. Saltwater crocodiles live in the estuaries and creek mouths, so camp away from the water’s edge, never clean food near it, and don’t swim in creeks near the sea. Mosquitoes and sandflies are constant, so bring repellent and a proper net. Carry all your food in rodent-proof bags, since rats and goannas raid camps. Water is generally available from creeks but should be treated. Pack your rubbish out, and leave your itinerary with someone before the ferry crossing.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Most hikers take 3 to 4 days to walk the 32 km (20 mile) Thorsborne Trail, traveling south from Ramsay Bay to George Point. Fast walkers can finish in 3 days, while 4 days leaves time for the waterfalls at Zoe Bay. Ferry transfers to and from the island add roughly an hour each way, from Cardwell and Lucinda.
The trail is graded hard, mainly for its remoteness rather than altitude. Expect boulder hopping, creek crossings, soft sand on beaches, and a steep, rough climb over the saddle near Mulligan Falls. Daily stages run roughly 6 to 12 km, and you carry all food and camping gear for the whole walk.
You need a camping permit, but no guide is required. Permits come from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and are limited to 40 hikers at a time, so book early. The fee is roughly A$7 to 8 per person per night, and you also pay for a ferry transfer, generally A$100 to 200 return depending on operator.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Australian hikes near Thorsborne Trail

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on hiking the Thorsborne Trail

Fit, self-sufficient walkers who enjoy wild camping and rough ground will love this, while anyone wanting marked paths or hot showers will struggle. I would book the permit first, then everything else, and pack a rodent-proof food bag.

✈️ When did I visit Australia?
On my trip to New Zealand in 1993, I had a short stop in Australia as well.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Australia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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