Blogs from Hinchinbrook Island National Park , Queensland, Australia, Oceania

Ask any serious Australian bushwalker which hikes are on their 'bucket list' and there's a pretty good chance the Thorsborne Trail will get a mention. Stretching down the eastern edge of Hinchinbrook Island (known as 'Pouandai' by the local Biyaygiri indigenous people) in Tropical North Queensland, the trail has a legendary reputation among those in the know for it's rugged beauty and splendid isolation. The biggest problem with the trail is that it's almost impossible to get permits, as Queensland's Parks & Wildlife Service only allow up to forty people to stay overnight on the island at any time. The obvious flipside to this is that for those lucky enough to secure permits, they can be assured a true wilderness experience free from the crowds that flock to other destinations on this stretch of coast (ie ... read more

My laptop seems to have died so this will be brief as I am using the iphone and thick fingers struggle with the keyboard. We have has some delightful easy sailing these last few days. We left Cape Grafton under sail with plans to get to Mourilyan Harbour but the winds were light so decided to moor up at Russell Island (part of the Frankland Island group). Despite a big rain storm one night we had a lovely time there exploring its beaches, coral and small steep bits of rainforest. Hung out with a couple who were camping there and stayed 2 nights as winds remained calm. From there got to dreary Mourilyan Harbour, bypassing grumbling storms on the coastnext day to Dunk Island. After a walk past the derelict resort to Muggy Muggy beach and ... read more