• North Macushla day-use area is a shady, secluded, beach-side spot that you can only get to by boat. Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Queensland
• Set up your picnic and enjoy the view from North Macushla day-use area. Photo credit: Emma Schmidt ©Queensland Government

Pull up on the sandy beach and spread out your lunch on the table in the shade. Flanked by cool, green forest, the picnic area has endless views of the island’s coastline, surrounding islands and deep blue water.

This island park is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, famed for its superlative natural beauty, outstanding examples of reef ecosystem development, evolutionary history and amazing diversity.

Getting there and getting around

North Macushla day-use area is in Hinchinbrook Island National Park, 8km off the Queensland coast at Cardwell.

• The day-use area is on the north-east side of Hinchinbrook Island in Missionary Bay, south of Cape Richard, and can be reached by private or charter vessel launched from Cardwell or Lucinda.

Private vessel

• Visitors accessing the island by private vessel should obtain a copy of the Hinchinbrook plan of management 2004 (PDF, 1.74MB) for information on transit lanes and boat speeds to aid dugong and turtle conservation.
• Access to some areas of Hinchinbrook Island is weather and tide dependent and a good knowledge of the waters and potential hazards is essential.
• Check local tide tables and weather conditions at the Bureau of Meteorology before you set out.
• Read boat and fish with care for tips on boating and fishing safety and caring for parks. Zoning restrictions apply.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

North Macushla day-use area is open 24 hours a day

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Hinchinbrook Island safely.