Thorsborne Trail enhancement project

Hinchinbrook Island (Munamudanamy) National Park 2023–2025

Project overview

The Thorsborne Trail is one of Queensland’s most iconic multi-day hikes. It offers visitors a world-class remote and wild multi-day hiking experience through spectacular coastal and mountain scenery, cultural landscapes and varying significant ecological communities on Australia’s largest island national park, Hinchinbrook Island (Munamudanamy).

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is working with the Bandjin and Girramay Traditional Owners who share Munamudanamy (Hinchinbrook Island) to improve the Thorsborne Trail visitor experience.

Upgrading existing infrastructure and campgrounds on the trail to cater for both current and new users is the focus of the project – including separating Thorsborne Trail walkers from other user groups where possible to retain their remote and wild nature experience on the trail.

Read our frequently asked questions about the project.

All works to the Thorsborne Trail itself will remain in-line with the current remote Class 5 hiking experience and focus on reducing unacceptable impacts to natural/cultural values and visitor safety issues, rather than increasing walking comfort or accessibility.

Updated and new communications products about the trail for walkers and industry are also included in the project – improved communication about key cultural, park, trail, and safety information will be provided.

Impacts on park visitors

The Thorsborne Trail and campsites are expected to remain open throughout the project. Works will be staged where possible to reduce disruption, however there will be some minor impacts on hikers during construction.

QPWS will keep visitors informed through Park Alerts and emails to booked campers during construction periods. This page will also be updated as the project progresses.

Why is it needed

In keeping with the remote and wild nature experience, current visitor facilities on the island are basic with little or no formal planning or design - sites have grown in an ad-hoc manner over the years with additions or upgrades done in an ‘as needed’ fashion at each individual site to deal with emergent issues.

This project allows a holistic view to be taken across the island to allow consistency in site design accommodating functionality, visitor experience, ongoing operational maintenance, safety, and protection of the island’s natural and cultural values.

• In recent years, particularly during the cooler months, the Thorsborne Trail has surged in popularity. Camping areas and facilities are no longer adequate to suit the number of users whilst also retaining the remote and wild experience of the trail.
• There has also been conflict between user groups, as some camping areas are also used by boat-based campers, sea-kayak tour campers, and/or day-users.
• Locations of campsites are being reviewed to improve safety.
• Current entry/exit points for the trail don’t provide a sense of arrival/achievement for hikers suitable for an iconic walk.
• Competition for spaces on the trail is causing more inexperienced hikers to book their walks during the wet season - seasonal conditions during these months bring extreme heat and regular heavy rainfall - hikers are often unable to cross creeks and are at the highest risk of heat-related injuries.

The project is consistent with the 2017 Hinchinbrook Island National Park Management Plan and Visitor Strategy which identifies a range of strategic management directions and objectives in relation to the Thorsborne Trail.

Preliminary planning has included gathering feedback from visitor surveys and key stakeholders to better understand the issues and needs of trail users to assist with the planning and design processes.

Traditional Owners have been involved throughout the design process, providing oversight of the project, and providing input and endorsement of concepts and planning.

Construction will be staged and is programmed to be undertaken during the 2024 and 2025 dry seasons following finalisation of designs and engagement of suitable contractors to undertake different components of the project.

Funding source

The Queensland Government has committed $3.2 million over 4 years to enhance the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island National Park.

This is inclusive of the $1.5 million highlighted in the 2023/24 Queensland Budget Capital Statement.

Key project features

• Re-design of major visitor sites/campgrounds: Ramsay Bay, Nina Bay, Little Ramsay Bay, Zoe Bay, Mulligan Falls, and George Point.
• Design of campsites will allow for seclusion/separation from other users, with appropriate infrastructure depending on the site and user group.
• In keeping with the desired remote and wild experience, site upgrades are generally low-key, focusing on better site design and flow.
• Replacing existing and providing new toilets – in total 6 new toilets will be built, mostly with 2 pedestals to reduce waiting times. No other buildings are planned for the island.
• Simple furniture (log seats, platforms, pack racks) will also be provided at the main campsites.
• A new longer pontoon at Ramsay Bay will replace the existing pontoon to better facilitate vessel transfer needs for the trail.
• Trail entry/exit and hiker preparation areas at Ramsay Bay (including new toilet) and George Point to better accommodate hikers – including park and cultural messaging.
• Minor trail works may be undertaken at key areas to address impacts to natural/cultural values and visitor safety issues, rather than increasing walking comfort or accessibility. This may include short alternate tracks around tidal creeks/swamps, erosion issues, minor diversions.
• Updated and new communications products about the trail for walkers and industry will be created including pre-hike planning, key cultural, park, trail, and safety information and messaging.
• While some new signage will be installed on the ground, much of this is planned to be done through other mediums in keeping with the trail’s remote and wild experience.
• A seasonal closure of the trail during January and February due to the high risk of unsafe conditions over this period.

Project milestones

• Ramsay Bay pontoon replaced with new, longer pontoon to allow safer access for vessels dropping off/picking up hikers – completed February 2024.
• Project update: June 2024 (PDF, 803.0KB)
• South Zoe Bay camping area redesigned – completed October 2024.

EOI – Thorsborne Trail Guided Tours

The Queensland Government through the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation has invited suitably experienced operators who wish to partner with Munamudanamy (Hinchinbrook Island National Park)’s Traditional Owners, the Bandjin people and Girramay people, to submit a proposal to run guided tours along the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island National Park.

The opportunity is for a four-day, three-night guided tour, taking hikers along the world-renowned Thorsborne Trail from Ramsay Bay to George Point, staying overnight at dedicated camping areas at Little Ramsay Bay, South Zoe Bay, and Mulligans Falls.

The successful tourism operator/s will have access to group camping areas for guided tours, separated from free and independent hikers and tours will be complementary to the existing remote and wild experience.

The expression of interest is now closed, and a preferred tourism operator/s will be selected in early 2025.

Project videos

QPWS is putting together a series of videos about the Thorsborne Trail enhancement project currently underway. Each video focuses on a different aspect of the project. More videos will be released in the coming months.

• Traditional Owner partnerships
• Management plan and visitor survey
• Commercial tours

More information

Contact QPWS by email at hinchinbrook@des.qld.gov.au or read our frequently asked questions about the project.