A favourite spot for a cool rest after the climb

For a breath of very fresh air…

View from Thorsborne Trail - Hinchinbrook Island

So many stunning aspects on Hinchinbrook Island – remember your camera!

Hinchinbrook Island

Camping or Day Trips…

Good Morning!

On Hinchinbrook Island

You never know what you will see...

Sometimes we are approached by inquisitive Humpbacks

Quick Options...

Book : Thorsborne Trail Ferry transfer

Lucinda Accommodation - choose which accommodation suits you

1 night min. stay for Thorsborne Trail Hikers

Airport Shuttle Transfers

Hire Cars - free long term parking

Greyhound and Premier Coach services

Rail links

Email us for all transport enquiries

PLB Hire (Personal Life Beacon) available

Gas Cannisters also available via Absolute North Charters

Email: info@absolutenorthcharters.com.au

Call/SMS: 0419 712 577  (international +61 419 712 577)

Departure Times

George Point Pickup

Let us help with all the logistics

 

Check Permit Availability
  1. Click Here to open the Parks Permits area. Opens in a new tab so you can refer back here for further instructions
  2. Ignore the first row, and go to Select park.  Tip: type "hinc" into the field and you can easily select "Hinchinbrook Island NP, Thorsborne Trail" (but not "Hinchinbrook Island National Park")
  3. Select your preferred start date
  4. Hit "Search"
  5. Scroll down and click on the Green Button that says "Check Availability"
  6. A popup will appear showing 3-14 days depending on your device, starting with the date you selected. Find your preferred dates that are available, or change the date and hit the search button.  Proceed to booking when you find "your" dates.

Quick Options...

Book : Thorsborne Trail Ferry transfer

Lucinda Accommodation - choose which accommodation suits you

1 night min. stay for Thorsborne Trail Hikers

Airport Shuttle Transfers

Hire Cars - free long term parking

Greyhound and Premier Coach services

Rail links

Email us for all transport enquiries

PLB Hire (Personal Life Beacon) available

Gas Cannisters also available via Absolute North Charters

Email: info@absolutenorthcharters.com.au

Call/SMS: 0419 712 577  (international +61 419 712 577)

Departure Times

George Point Pickup

Let us help with all the logistics

 

Check Permit Availability
  1. Click Here to open the Parks Permits area. Opens in a new tab so you can refer back here for further instructions
  2. Ignore the first row, and go to Select park.  Tip: type "hinc" into the field and you can easily select "Hinchinbrook Island NP, Thorsborne Trail" (but not "Hinchinbrook Island National Park")
  3. Select your preferred start date
  4. Hit "Search"
  5. Scroll down and click on the Green Button that says "Check Availability"
  6. A popup will appear showing 3-14 days depending on your device, starting with the date you selected. Find your preferred dates that are available, or change the date and hit the search button.  Proceed to booking when you find "your" dates.

Hinchinbrook Island

Camping or Day Trips…

Good Morning!

Off to Hinchinbrook Island

You never know what you will see...

Sometimes we are approached by inquisitive Humpbacks

Rockingham Bay

For a breath of very fresh air…

Zoe Bay - Hinchinbrook Island

Zoe Bay is a favoured destination for our visitors

Hiking the legendary Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island


Thorsborne Trail

Considering walking the World famous Thorsborne Trail?  Famous not because of a destination flooded with travelers but for quite the opposite. The regulated number of trail walkers gives you the chance to connect with and appreciate the raw beauty of a tropical island regarded by many as one of Australia’s premier walks!  The iconic Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island traverses an incredible diversity of terrains and ecosystems; from rugged tropical ranges, waterfalls, rainforest, rocky shorelines, open woodlands and stunning beaches.There is no infrastructure except food boxes and toilets for your convenience at the campsites. It is Nature at its best!  We are a ferry business that operates to both the Northern and Southern access points of the Thorsborne Trail from Lucinda.  (Yes, we will pickup and return to Cardwelll, but CONDITIONS APPLY)

"Thorsborne Trail" App...

This is the ONLY app for hikers either walking or thinking of walking the iconic Thorsborne Trail.

Click/Tap Here for more details

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

Department track notes - Tide charts - GPS tracking - Water sources - Tidal creek crossings.  And many other features.

Don't leave home without it!

Thorsborne Trail App

IMPORTANT NOTE


We transfer you to or from either the Northern (Ramsay Bay) or Southern End (George Point) of the Thorsborne Trail. We will pick up and deliver from/to Lucinda.
Yes we do also pick up and return to Cardwell. (but CONDITIONS APPLY)
You may prefer to use us for your northern transfer at the start because you can leave your vehicle in Lucinda. (We are the first ferry service to implement the more scenic, convenient and cost-effective transfer from Lucinda for Thorsborne Trail walkers).

See All Transfers

Start and finish at peaceful, scenic Lucinda with secure parking and choice of accommodation.

  • Boat Transfers from Lucinda to Ramsey Bay, AND return George Point to Lucinda. (outbound plus return)
    $183.00 PER ADULT (17+ years), Child $173 (5-16 years), Toddlers 0-4 free
  • Between Lucinda and George’s Point AND return.
    $132 PER ADULT 17+yrs (Child $122, Toddler free)
  • Boat Transfers from Lucinda to George Point AND return Ramsay Bay to Lucinda. (outbound plus return)
    $183.00 PER ADULT 17+yrs (Child $173, toddler free)

BOOK NOW

 

Choose Your Hinchinbrook Style


Hiking

HIKING the Thorsborne Trail is considered one of Australia’s best. Stunning beauty, Terrain varies from pristine beach to rocky mountain, deep forest, and tidal creeks. Completely natural.

Camping

CAMPING The most beautiful of all Australia’s islands. Our favourite place in the whole world, a place that has been part of our consciousness forever and a place you should not miss while in Australia.

Day Trips

We are permitted to transfer day visitors to three separate locations. All transfers depart Lucinda and are weather dependent. Your safety is our priority. Check out the destinations available.

From Our Travelers


This adventure was the highlight of our trip. John went above and beyond in his service and personal dedication to ensuring we had an amazing time. He is a wealth of knowledge about the area and also very passionate about wildlife.
We loved our time with him and were blown away by the beauty of the island. Couldn’t recommend Absolute north charters highly enough. Great local experience. Thanks for an incredible time – Matt and Steph

Matt and Steph

%

Traveler Satisfaction

? ? ? ? ?

John,

We just want to say a big thank to you and your staff.

The information you provided before our trip to Hinchinbrook Island was ‘spot on’.

We thank you for your knowledge and insight into the Island and your dedication to your clients when walking the Thorsborne Trail.

We shall return to continue our adventure…

The Wildes

The Advantage of Local Knowledge


Skipper John

Skipper John

Owner

An adventure hike is by definition sure to turn up the unexpected. When you are completely relying on your own resources, preparation is key. And as every location is different, it’s LOCAL KNOWLEDGE that will help make you more comfortable, and ensure a happy hike.
Skipper John” is the man with the local knowledge. He’s lived here all his life, knows the island like the back of his hand, and freely imparts his vast store of useful insights to his clients.
Go with Skipper John … a man who takes seriously his “duty of care” while you are on the island… really the only safe choice.

From Our Blog


The Ultimate Guide to Hiking Hinchinbrook Island

We have just completed our 6th hike of the 32km Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island. This is something we have done each year since 2010 and will continue to do as we all live only about 2.5 hours drive from Cardwell.

This year John, the owner of ‘Absolute North Charters’, asked if we could write a guide to help other hikers better prepare themselves for what lay ahead of them walking the trail. Most information on the web is from hikers who have walked the Thorsborne Trail once only, our information is from 6 consecutive years of hiking the island.

Thorsborne Trail – Trek Diary

Our gratitude goes to Sarah and Rich Brown from FunFitAdventure.com for permission to repost their June 2017 series of articles. - John This diary is one part of a 5 part information guide/review/blog in walking the Thorsborne trail on Hinchinbrook island.  I...

HINCHINBROOK ISLAND – Thorsborne Trail Logistics

We have been getting a lot of enquiries from HIKERS/BUSHWALKERS about actually getting to HINCHINBROOK ISLAND to HIKE the THORSBORNE TRAIL from major cities around the country.

With that in mind, we think it would be beneficial to all potential HIKERS to try to fill in the gaps concerning airports, shuttle bus services and FERRY SERVICES that exist to help.

Important Thorsborne Trail Ferry Booking Considerations

Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook: Ferry Booking. Hi All, I have been surfing the Internet for a while today looking to find out what kind of information is out there for bushwalkers doing Hinchinbrook's Thorsborne trail. I have discovered that there is some wrong...

What is Hinchinbrook Island

Hinchinbrook Island The status of National Park given to Hinchinbrook Island has been in effect since 1932 as it was recognised very early as a place of rare beauty and irreplaceable importance in the dynamics of our natural world.  Moreover, Hinchinbrook offers a...

My great hiking experience on Hinchinbrook

Hiking The track up to the Cradle Mountain Plateau in Tasmania is a bit tough. There is a short section of almost vertical climbing over rocky terrain.  There is even a chain embedded in the rock to help.  Of course, adding a 20kg back does make it a bit more...

Quick facts about Thorsborne Trail Hiking

More than a dozen small bites of essential Thorsborne Trail information that can make the difference between a smooth enjoyable hike and an uncomfortable one.

Excitement – Peace – Wonder


Comments and questions are welcome.


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Locate Us


Lucinda

Pleasant view from Lucindia, near Hinchinbrook Island.

Cardwell

Cardwell

Ramsay Bay

Travelers at Ramsay Bay Boardwalk, Hinchinbrook Island

George Point

Hikers after their completion of Hiking at Hinchinbrook Island