South Shepherd Bay Track

Starting from South Macushla Campsite, Hinchinbrook Island, this walk takes you to South Shepherd Bay and back. You can traverse through the rainforests in Kirkville Hills and observe the wildlife during your journey. The area is host to dugongs, skinks and wild birds that you can encounter or look for as you continue along. The beautiful Shepherd Bay welcomes you with open views of the ocean. If you visit the area during summer, do not forget to take a dip or walk barefoot along the bay. The path has a significant amount of shade, but you can still bring plenty of water with you as it is situated in a remote area. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start (-18.2278101,146.219877)
Mode Special (You can access the starting point via a private vessel (a boat or a kayak).)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along North Shepherd Bay Track a.k.a. Macushla to Cape Richards. Find the South Macushla at the start. Campsite managed byParks and Wildlife Service. There is a fee to use this campsite. Then pass the toilet (30 m on your right). After another 40 m pass the picnic table (20 m on your right). After another 510 m come to the "North Macushla" (10 m on your right). Campsite managed byParks and Wildlife Service. There is a fee to use this campsite. After another 40 m pass the toilet (9 m on your right).
	After another 830 m (at the intersection of South Shepard Bay Track & North Shepherd Bay Track a.k.a. Macushla to Cape Richards) continue straight, to head along South Shepard Bay Track.
	Continue another 1.9 km to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 3.4 km to get back to the start.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

South Shepherd Bay Track

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	6.8 km
Time	1 h 45 min to 3 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2.3 km apart with the largest gap of 6.2 km.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2.3 km apart with the largest gap of 6.2 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	50 m	[toilet]
Camp site	65 m	South Macushla
Camp site	600 m	North Macushla
Toilet	640 m	[toilet]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Cardwell Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Monday 24 June
  
  25°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe, near zero chance elsewhere. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h.
  
  Tuesday 25 June
  
  16°C → 25°C
  Showers increasing.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 7mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds east to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 11 and 19 with daytime temperatures reaching 21 to 27.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:20am to 3:10pm, UV Index predicted to reach 7 [High]
  
  Wednesday 26 June
  
  19°C → 26°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 11 and 19 with daytime temperatures reaching 22 to 28.
  
  Thursday 27 June
  
  19°C → 26°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 8mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers near the coast, medium chance elsewhere. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 15 and 21 with daytime temperatures reaching 23 to 29.
  
  Friday 28 June
  
  20°C → 27°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 8mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 16 and 21 with daytime temperatures reaching 23 to 29.
  
  Saturday 29 June
  
  19°C → 27°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 9mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Sunday 30 June
  
  19°C → 27°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Hinchinbrook Island National Park alerts
  Thorsborne Trail camping area enhancement works
  South Zoe Bay camping areas will be undergoing preliminary works from the 2nd – 8th July 2024. Affected parks: Hinchinbrook Island National Park; Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park
  Planned burn season
  Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) will be conducting planned burns from June-September when weather conditions are favourable. Affected parks: Hinchinbrook Island National Park; Orpheus Island National Park; Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park
  George Point camping area erosion (update)
  George Point camping area on the southern coastline of Hinchinbrook Island has been affected by erosion due to high tides and windy conditions. Affected parks: Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park; Hinchinbrook Island National Park
  
  Alert kindly provided by © Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service

Start	(-18.2278101,146.219877)
Mode	Special (You can access the starting point via a private vessel (a boat or a kayak).)

Weather Forecast

Alerts