Hinchinbrook Island National Park Tropical North Queensland

Banksia Bay camping area is a great hideaway. Photo credit: © Queensland Government

The rugged beauty of Hinchinbrook Island National Park must be seen to be believed! Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Queensland

Banksia Bay camping area

If you’re looking for a truly secluded tropical island retreat, then this camping spot is just the place for you.

Accessible by

  • Boat

Camping area facilities

  • Anchoring allowed
  • Tent camping
  • Canoeing and kayaking
  • Boating

Always check

One of the park’s hidden gems, this camping area is tucked away on the island’s eastern side, between Ramsay and Zoe bays. This beach-side hideaway will really take you away from it all, whether you arrive by boat or sea kayak, or on foot via the Thorsborne Trail.

Fishing’s not allowed here so sit back, relax and take in the uninterrupted views of stunning Ramsay Bay. If you’d rather be up and about, head to the tidal lagoon on Banksia Creek and see what you can spy in its watery depths. The lagoon is an important nursery area for the marine environment and you might be lucky enough to see juvenile fish like mangrove jack.

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

Banksia Bay camping area is in Hinchinbrook Island National Park.

  • The camping area is on the Thorsborne Trail, on the eastern coast of Hinchinbrook Island, located south of Ramsay Bay and north of Zoe Bay.
  • You can also book it without walking the trail, accessing the site by private vessel launched from Cardwell or Lucinda, or by sea kayak.

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.

Sea kayak

  • Commercial sea kayak tours of Hinchinbrook Island are available.
  • For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Banksia Bay camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check in to your camp after 2pm and check out by 11am on the day of departure.

Camping area features

Under trees and in the open near the beach setting

Location: 300m off the main Thorsborne Trail, this small camping area is on the beach at Banksia Bay. It is the third camping area from the northern end of the Thorsborne Trail.

Access: the camping area can be reached on foot from the Thorsborne Trail or by boat.

Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites.

Camp sites are suitable for: trail hikers, boat-based camping and sea kayak-based camping.

Camp site surface: sand and dirt.

Facilities: none. Collect water from Banksia Creek, 100m upstream from the beach.

Open fires: prohibited.

Generators: not permitted.

Essentials to bring: read before you visit.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options.

Mobile phone coverage: poor.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Hinchinbrook Island safely and camp with care.