Hinchinbrook Island Travel
Hinchinbrook Island Overview
Hinchinbrook Island is in northern Queensland, Australia, just north of the town of Ingham, approximately 150km south of the city of Cairns. The island has a tropical climate. The High Season of the island is during Australian winter (May to October), when the weather is cool and pleasant. The sole resort of the island, I'm sorry to say, is currently closed until June 2010.
Hinchinbrook Island Main Attractions
Including the main beach at the resort there are 11 beautiful sandy beaches. You can enjoy absolute seclusion on several of them including North Shepherd, Macushla and South Shepherd. The beaches of Hinchinbrook Island are, in a word, spectacular. Just for an example, the North Shepherd Beach is gloriously empty two-kilometer stretch of beach. You can spot the countless tiny ghost grabs skittering about on the sand.
The National Park of Hinchinbrook covers 39,300 hectares. For the energetic visitor, walking is fairly easy through the light bush sections of the park and with very little luck the walker will observe the abundant bird life for which the island is renowned. There are herons, cockatoos, pheasants, scrub hens, sunbirds and Torres Strait and Wompoo pigeons.
Hinchinbrook Island Activities
Hinchinbrook is an island rich with diverse wildlife and marine life that the activities, aside from lazing and relaxing by the beach are solely about these amazing treasures. Snorkeling is one of the superb things you can do in Hinchinbrook for a chance to swim with the colorful and vibrant underwater. There's also a 32-kilometer walking trail in the island from Ramsay Bay to George point. The hike will take four days but it is a great opportunity to spot the amazing wildlife of Hinchinbrook.
Hinchinbrook Island Accommodation & Dining
Accommodation on Hinchinbrook is very limited, and many visitors opt to day-trip from Cardwell instead. However, if you opt to stay in the island for the night, there are campsites all throughout the island. Just get your permit and set up your camp to the secluded and tranquil nights of Hinchinbrook. Being open to the surrounding rainforest gardens and overlooking the large in ground pool, the lodge invites you to be a part of this wonderful environment. To be expected, the restaurant caters for the discerning taste. In-house chefs prepare the finest cuisine which is topped off by a large dose of friendly Australian service.
Hinchinbrook Island Shopping & Nightlife
The sole resort of Hinchinbrook didn't forget to let you have some booze for the night. The Resort bar is open from 10:00 am to midnight, offering a wide selection of beers, Australian wines, champagnes, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks. They even restock everything you need right into the cabins. However, if you require more, just let the personnel know and they'll be happy to oblige. There are no shops on the island. Some basic necessities are available for sale at Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge.
Getting To & Around Hinchinbrook Island
The only regular means of access to the island is Hinchinbrook Island Ferries from Cardwell on mainland. Boats leave at 9 AM and return at 5 PM, daily in the high season (May-Oct), three times weekly in the low season (Nov-Apr). Absolute North Charters can also arrange transfers direct to Zoe Bay, a good option for self-contained camp.
