About the Day Cruises I Island Discovery Tour I Booking Form

ISLAND DISCOVERY TOUR
(FULL DAY)

Your day excursion takes you back in time. It allows you to experience this unique area as the early explorer Captain Cook would have back in 1770.

The Tour is tailored to suit your needs. Activities may be as strenuous or as totally relaxing as you choose. Small numbers combined with informative, personalized service and quality destinations guarantee an enjoyable experience.

Whether you are an experienced, novice or family walker, the National Parks graded walking trails afford you the opportunity to experience the wonders of Hinchinbrook's pristine tropical rainforests and beautiful ocean beaches. These day wilderness walks range from 5 kilometres to 12 kilometres for those seeking the extra challenge.

Swim and beachcomb at Ramsay Bay

Details:
Depart Cardwell from the Port Hinchinbrook Marina at 9.00am. Return Cardwell at 4.45pm

Your Day Includes: Return ferry transfers and commentary 5 free hours on Hinchinbrook Island Souvenir walking map

You Visit: Missionary Bay Mangrove everglades and boardwalk Ramsay Bay Cape Richards and North Shepherd Beach Macushla

What to Take
Camera, Film, Small Backpack, Swimming Costume, Comfortable walking shoes (may get wet), Hat, Sunscreen, Waterbottles, Lunch

Note: This is a wilderness area. Apart from the Resort at Cape Richards, there are no shops or facilities. The actual excursions on the island are not guided. You will be given maps, notes and briefings before setting out on any walks.

RAMSAY BAY

Cruising through the mangrove everglades on the top deck

Your first taste of Hinchinbrook Island at Ramsay Bay will leave you wanting to stay. Ramsay Bay has 9 kilometres of magnificent beach set against a backdrop of rugged granite mountains and lapped by the crystal clear blue waters of the Coral Sea.

In accessing this area from Cardwell you will cruise over the protected shallow waters of Missionary Bay. This area is home to many sea creatures, the most notable of which is the dugong. The area has extensive sea-grass beds which provide excellent grazing grounds for these once rare mammals. The occassional sightings of this fascinating creature are a highlight of the cruise into the bay.

The area abounds with other marine life such as sea turtles and dolphins and sightings of these animals are a common occurrence. Your route then meanders its way through five kilometres of pristine mangrove creeks to the base of the spectacular Mt. Bowen, the island's highest peak. You will be in the heart of an amazing labyrinth of mangrove waterways, the largest of its kind in Australia.

You will experience the area at close quarters and your guide will give you an insight into the importance of this marine wonderland to the healthy well being of our marine environment. An incredible 23 different species of mangroves have been identified by scientists in this area. The ability of these plants to live in saltwater creates a unique environment which scientists are now studying closely.

Transferring to the punt for the short trip to the boardwalk

At the far eastern end of this winding waterway you transfer to a smaller vessel to squeeze through the last 200 metres through the mangroves to a boardwalk. This boardwalk gives access through a tangled masses of mangrove roots to a short walk (200m) over to the ocean beach at Ramsay Bay. This path, which was an original path into the mangroves used by the aborigines to collect food in a bygone era, passes an aboriginal shell midden.

The beach at Ramsay Bay is just magnificent. It is a white sand, blue water, ocean swimming beach. This area is uninhabited and due to the distance from habitation and the difficulty involved in navigating a vessel into this area it is very unlikely that you will have to share the area with anyone other than those in your group.

This beach offers all year round swimming and is a beachcomber's and photographers paradise.

For those more adventurous, Ramsay Bay is the northern starting point of the world renown Thorsborne Trail, a 3 - 7 day wilderness trek along the eastern beaches and headlands of Hinchinbrook Island. As a day tripper you will have the opportunity to farewell and greet trekkers starting and finishing this trail.

If you are a keen hiker you can explore this area. If you are looking for a more relaxing day you can spend your time lazing on the golden sands and swimming in the clear blue ocean waters ........ the choice is yours.

CAPE RICHARDS & MACUSHLA

Swimming pool and main Lodge

After spending a few hours at Ramsay Bay we reboard the cruise vessel and continue onto Macushla and Cape Richards. Cape Richards has the only habitation on the whole 39,300 ha island ...... a tiny eco-resort. Macushla was the site of a very small fishing settlement in the 1930's and is now a National Park's camping area.

You will have the opportunity to see how these two very different areas, one a eco-tourist resort and the other a National Parks camping area, have been integrated into this special area without effecting the wilderness experience for those visiting the island.

Cape Richards and Macushla are on the northern extremity of the island. You will have access to up to 12 kilometres of graded walking tracks through spectacular rainforest and beautiful ocean beaches.

Once again it is the splendid isolation of the area combined with its pristine natural wilderness values that give the area its special significance. The trails are well marked and are rewarding for visitors of all ages. You will be given a detailed briefing of the trails with a map and notes before embarking on any walks.

If you are not keen or not able to walk Macushla has three great beaches, shady trees, picnic and toilet facilities. This is an ideal location to just relax away an afternoon or you can spend your time fishing around the rocky headlands.

Cape Richards has a small 8 ha special lease granted for a resort in the 1960's and the Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge and Resort now occupies a tiny part of this lease. It is a very small, unobtrusive, eco-tourism resort. The start of the walking trail from Cape Richards to Macushla leads you up through the resort area

Rainforest Walks

The trail from the resort over to the ocean beach of North Shepherd Bay meanders through some of the best rainforest that the island has to offer. There are several vantage points along this trail where you will be treated to great views of the many other islands in the area.

The 5 km walk from Cape Richards to Macushla takes, on average, about 2 hours. There are extra walking tracks to more remote areas if you are fit and keen to see more of this area. The ocean beaches offer all year round swimming.

Macushla was the site of a small fishing settlement in the 1930's. The name Macushla was taken from the boat belonging to these early settlers. National Parks have provide some facilities at this location for campers and picnickers.

If you are interested in identifying birds in the area ask your skipper for a copy of the Hinchinbrook Island bird list.

All tours depart and return from the Port Hinchinbrook Marina where there is excellent off street carparking.

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