Hinchinbrook Island

[wello]

Has anyone done the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook?

I've downloaded the 10pages of notes from Queensland parks, but these generally need a bit of interpretation (ie, first time in an area, its hard to know just how conservative they've been with the walking times etc).

I'm also interested in a side trip to one of the peaks (probably Mt Bowen), so if anyone's been up there and has some advice they are prepared to share, I'd appreciate it. PM might be appropriate as it a reasonably sensitive area.

Cheers

Wello

[frank_in_oz]

Hi Wello,
We did the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook a couple of years ago. It is a great walk but totally different to Tassie. i.e. it is HOT and not necessary very isolated. We absolutely loved it because of the total difference to walking in Tassie.

We did a "few" blog posts about it. The links and descriptions are below if you want to check it out.

Thorsborne Trail – Hinchinbrook Island - prelude
Planning for the Thorsborne Trail
Thorsborne Trail - Planning the walk
Thorsborne Trail - George Point to Sunken Island Reef
Thorsborne Trail - Sunken Island Reef - Zoe Bay
Thorsborne Trail - Zoe Bay to Little Ramsay Bay
Thorsborne Trail - Little Ramsay Bay - Nina Bay
Thorsborne Trail - Nina Bay - Ferry
Thorsborne Trail- Some great pictures of the wonderful scenery

A couple of key points we learnt from the locals etc:
- best to walk south to north - better scenery at the end and a better trip out
- sand flies are a PAIN, my daughter HATED em and looked like she had measles. Most locals took light weight LONG pants and shirts and wore them in the evening WITH pants tucked into socks. They are Bas...ds of things and sort of eat DEET.
- we did not take boots and regreted it. The tracks are hard and rocky. Wear what you would in Tassie.
- the days are not long, we stopped everywhere we could have a swim. It was absolutely fantastic
- if you like fishing take a spinning rod and a few lures. One bloke we met caught (and released) up to 10 fish each evening, just casting off the beach.

Very happy for you to PM me and I will shoot off my phone number if you want any more details.
have a great time

Edit: sorry to forgot to mention about Mt Bowen. We did not do it but I saw a great TV doco about it once...........

[wobbly]

Hi
I've done this walk twice (but not Mt Bowen). The published times http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=201 are conservative you could very easily knock an hour or more off the total time for each day. On another trip that I missed my wife and 12 yr old son walked from Zoe Bay to George Point in a day. They only did this because they'd had 6 inches of rain and numerous hairy creek crossings and on arriving at Mulligans found the campsites under water so decided to bail. So yes you can do it quicker but that said the walks seems designed with short days so you can spend heaps of time at the waterholes which along with the rainforest are the highlights of the walk.
I reckon walk from Nth to Sth so you get the swiming holes on the last 2 nights.
Nina Peak is well worth the climb.
Zoe bay campground is really shocking for mossies, march flies and blue assed buggers that will draw blood.
The waterholes themselves are much less bitey. I think the native perch must keep the bugs down.
Mulligan's is the least bitey of the campsites- probably because the waterhole is only 50 metres away. There are usually lots of brilliant blue ulyssess butterflies at Mulligans too.
Oh and on the last trip at George Point my daughter passed the hour waiting for the ferry by killing march flies. She counted to 50 before she stopped counting- not killing tho. (Yes we and she still had a great trip!)
http://www.geocities.com/swiftscreek/Hinchinbrook.html
cheers

[wello]

Thanks very much for the info.

Hadn't thought about crocs - guess that means swimming in the ocean is out.

Is there a track up Nina Peak?

Wello

[frank_in_oz]

No, we swam in the ocean all the time. Just kept a look out and in pretty shallow water. It is very well signposted if there is a troublesome reptile.

It was just fantastic.

[prankphonecall]

It's not the troublesome ones you have to worry about.

As long as the water's clear (it'd be hard to find some merky water up that way) and you've got visibility (i.e. not dawn, dusk or night) you should be fine.

Don't forget stingers in the oceans too.

[wobbly]

Is there a track up Nina Peak?
Wello

The track up Nina peak isn't signposted but its shown on some maps. Its quite a good track and an easy climb. If you are coming from the nth look for it at the highest part of the saddle on the right. Its just at the point where the track to Nina bay starts to drop down the valley. Even if you dont get to the top there are still good views to be had nth over the mangrove channels and via a short scramble off track good views sth about a third of the way up.

As for crocs, I have swum in the ocean and plenty of others seem to too (mainly at Little Ramsay) I agree with others posts re safe swimming but would add to stay well away from anything thats got mangroves. Speak to the Ferry services for the latest reports re crocs as they'll have the goss from the recent walkers. I think that sightings are extremely rare.

[under10kg]

Has anyone done Mt Bowen. How long did this take and how hard is the scrampling? It seems you need a permit.

[isoma]

under10,
cant speak from experience as for the climb to Mt Bowen but if you're familiar with Robert Rankin (Classic Wild Walks) he gives an estimate of 10hrs to the summit from Little Ramsay Bay. He also rates this a grade 4 climb. To compare with other walks - he rates Mt Barney via Eagles Ridge grade 4 and also rates Western/Eastern Arthurs grade 4 (Fedders summit grade 5). This is on scale of 1 to 5.
I think his times are very conservative and if you're above average fitness you could probably do it a lot quicker. I contemplated doing this as a long day walk during a quick trip down the Thorsborne trail a few years ago but didnt end up having a spare day ( or a permit).
It is a magnificent mountain mass - think Mt Barney on water. On the list for a return visit (with permit).
BTW - for those who dont know Rankin, he once did the Western Arthurs in a day - Junction Ck to Junction Ck.

[MichaelP]

I LOVE Hinchinbrook. Good Memories. Great Walk and Mt Bowen is definitely a challenge (only got halfway up - plan to come back and defeat her one day)

Waterfalls on the trip were spectacular

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[MichaelP]

As for tips on Bowen..... Do it when it is dryish. You follow the river from Little Ramsay Bay. if water levels are low it is quite doable apparently - unfortunatley when we went they were not so we could not walk up the river and moved into the impassable scrub. got halfway up in 8hrs i think. Hardest peak ive ever attempted. Be prepared to be torn apart by the bush - VERY DIFFICULT. good luck with it though

[lyndoor]

We are heading to HI in the 2nd week of June. Read all the above but can someone inform a Tassie ignoramous just how cold it will get at night. Trying to cut down on pack weight & was wondering if my SB liner & thermals will keep me warm enough in a good tent & on a down mattress? All my SBs, while lightweight, are designed for minus 5 or less...
Cheers

[benb]

I just completed the Thorsborne Trail at the beginning of May and once feeling the weather up there I opted to leave my sleeping bag in the car and just take my liner. There were two of us in the tent and the coldest it got in the tent was probably about 20 degrees. I believe it will get a bit cooler up there by the time you get there but your sleeping bag is going to be way too warm for the conditions I expect.
Cheers,

Ben

[lyndoor]

Thanks, Ben, that's what I needed to know. I've been following the weather & we have a week in the Whits beforehand, so I'll get a bit of an idea what it is going to do. I'll see if I can't borrow a cooler bag (although most of my buddies & rellies are in all in Tassie with similar sbags!).

Appreciate the input.

By the way, how were all the "bities"?! You know, sandflies, mozzies...oh, & crocs. Much of a problem?

Cheers, Lyndoor

[Daniella]

Hi Lyndoor,
I've just got back from Hinchinbrook this week. It was prettty cold on a few of the nights and warm during the day.
Some camp sites are right on the beach so when the sea breeze got windy we got a bit chilly. I had a 2 season sleeping bag and that was adequate. My friend who lives in the Blue Mts thought a sleeping bag would not be necessary and just took a really light blanket but she ended up cold on 2 nights so wore socks and clothes including 2 very light weight thermal tops trying to keep warm. In my opinion a 3 season bag would be perfect for June.
About the biters: I'm covered in mozzie bites (used aeroguard deet roll on) I met some local people there who had bought a can each of aeroguard deet spray and they were not bitten at all and even wore shorts. They said they sprayed themselves regularly and around their tent when they put it up etc I would definitely do this next time as the mozzies are the only annoying thing on a perfect walk.
Enjoy the walk.
Danielle.

[north-north-west]

By the way, how were all the "bities"?! You know, sandflies, mozzies...

All very healthy and doing well. They send their regards, and look forward to meeting you.

[LucyC]

In terms of Mozzies and other bities... check out the "tropical strength" varieties of aerogard and the like. Should be available in all major supermarkets.
And as for crocs, always ask the local rangers or information centre about which are the safest places to swim. Crocs can move around quite a bit at certain times of the year.

[lyndoor]

Ahh, N-N-W, you are a funny guy!

Just got back from our trip to HI. It was just fabulous. Plenty of gorgeous scenery, lovely weather & yes, plenty of those little bitey blighters! We used a concoction of 1/8 Dettol & 7/8 Baby Oil to foil the sandflies but still needed the Deet for mozzies.
We took our Tassie weight SBags & had cause to use them a little through one slightly chilly night. We have all decided that it is better to take them in case & sleep on them when not needed.
We travelled south to north & would thoroughly recommend it. It was really lovely to spend our last night camped on the beach at Nina Bay than the alternative of under the darker, tropical canopy of the Mulligan's site.
A really magical place.

Lyndoor

Attachments

A stream enroute to Sunken Reef...

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Sunken Reef beach

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Top of Zoe Falls looking across to Zoe Bay.

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Cypress Pine Creek

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Looking across to Little Ramsay Bay

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[bailz66]

This is my pick for my next walk after doing Tassy this year looking at July 2013 next year to do this one

Really liking the sound of it so pretty keen at this stage!

[Kamron]

Howdy folks,

Anyone know how far in advance one should book for the Thorseborne Trail? I've had an unexpected trip to Melbourne (I live abroad) and I'd love to check out this park and clear my head a little. Would a walk in July be possible if I book in a week or two?

Cheers

[Pteropus]

Hi Kamron,
Go here for information -> http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/hinchi ... mping.html
And here for campsite bookings -> https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/iapar ... ParkId=211
I can't remember the details on booking the 'ferry' service because my friend took care of that but I do remember the ferries, which were glorified tinnies, at both ends were bl0ody expensive!

Oh, by the way, don't let my last comment about the ferries put you off because Hinchinbrook is amazingly beautiful and definitely worth it!

[Kamron]

It's well booked out for months. I had no idea it was that popular. Any other ideas for a coastal walk with similar scenery? It's too cold down south for coastal walks this time of year.

[sim1oz]

Hi Kamron,
I just checked the derm.qld booking site and it looks like there are still plenty of spots on the Thorsborne for the second half of July. If you want warm, you could also look into the Jatbula or Larapinta (do a few sections) trails in the Northern Territory or some of the Great Walks in Queensland (though from other posts on this site the Queensland walks don't live up to the name 'Great'). After the Melbourne chill today, the warmth up north sounds really nice!
Cheers

[Kamron]

Hi,

I'm confused about the booking/availability page. It shows all green squares (unavailable) when I check availability, that needs some investigation. Maybe a trip to the Flinders and Gammon Rangers is needed to clear the head, I might head over to the SA branch.

[bauplenut]

Just did the Thorseborne trail for the 4th time. Availabilty shouldn't be a problem except around long weekends. Use to have to book well in advance, but does not seem as popular at present - Yasi effects ? Track is suffering from Yasi still, but this week QPWS had a team there for six days doing work on the track and campsites. Track markers are often faded and can be hard to spot at times but only an issue when leaving one of the beaches. Bit expensive the 'ferries', but to get to paradise, all good. Just watch the tides (couple of creek crossings, best at low or run out tide especially Mulligans) and weather - it can rain heavily and unexpectedly and the creeks do rise - South Zoe and Diamaintina can be tricky to cross after heavy rain. Diamaintina can be impassbale after a big downpour, happened to friends last weekend - just have to wait a few hours for the creek to drop. I did it it in lovely weather though at start of May. Still a beautiful walk, and well worth it. Camping at Little Ramsay Bay is glorious, great lagoon, great views of Mt Bowen, lovely beach.

[Lizzardo]

Hi everybody,
we are planning to do the the Thorsborne trail in mid October. Do you think we will be warm enough at night if we just take sleeping bag liners and no actual sleeping bags? If so any suggestions on what type of liners would be best?
Cheers

[eacham]

You've probably already been on your trip, seeing as you were going mid-October, but if not:

We just came back from Hinchinbrook, no need for sleeping bags, though it got slightly cool at night. We had cotton liners and they were fine, just the same sort of material you'd have for a sheet.

Creeks were mostly pretty dry, but good water was available at Little Ramsay (had to rock-hop up the creek a bit), Zoe and Mulligan. Most of the small creeks crossing the trail were dry, which was good in a way because it made the rocks less slippery and I reckon we made better time than if it had been wet.

It was beautiful as always, and no problems booking in as it wasn't school holidays and we started on a Wednesday, coming off the island on Sunday morning (had to do an extra night camped at George point because of the early ferry pickup, based on the tide, but it was good to have a bit of a leisurely last couple of days anyway).

Only saw a couple of other groups, and we had Zoe, Mulligan and George Point campsites totally to ourselves which was superb.

Not sure what people reckon about walking direction, but in six times I've only ever gone north to south and on reflection think that's the best way (the groups we came across were going the other way). Little Ramsay is OK as a campsite, but the beach and falls at Zoe and the serenity of Mulligan are so nice it's like working up to a treat going that way, rather than being at the best part first and then having it go a little bit downhill from there. Personal choice, I guess.

The guide sheet says to treat the water, but in all the times we've been we've just found running clear water and drunk it straight, never had any problems.

Overall a wonderful experience as we've come to expect from Hinchinbrook, and would highly recommend to anyone considering it. With a little bit of planning, it can be very very rewarding. First time for our kids this time (11 and 13 years old), and I believe it's potentially a life-changing experience for someone who's never done a walk like this before.

Happy tramping!

[nq111]

Nice work eacham,

For the next trip - the island is just as great by sea kayak

[eacham]

Thanks nq111, will have to try the sea kayak one day - everyone I've talked to who's had a go reckon it's a great way to go.

[bailz66]

I am heading up there in about a months time.

One of the challanges I have at the moment is where I can purchase some Gas Canisters for my Jetboil in Cairnes / Cardwell.

We will be arriving on a Saturday afternoon and our ferry leaves on a Sunday morning.

If our plane is delayed by a few hours all the hiking shops could be closed by the time we arrive which would be dissapointing.