Cairns to Townsville: Exploring the Hinchinbrook Way

A quintessential Tropical Queensland road trip awaits.

Only 350 kilometres of road connect Cairns to Townsville, and you can drive it in just over four hours. But really, it’s best to take four days. Or four weeks. Known as The Hinchinbrook Way , this route is home to ancient rainforests, Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall, rugged tropical islands and the Great Barrier Reef running the whole way along.

It’s a place where breathtaking scenery, unique wildlife, world-class fishing experiences, delicious, locally sourced food, inspirational art and 60,000 years of culture are all woven into one incredible road trip. Eager to explore? Here’s our guide to the best places to stop from Cairns to Townsville.

Mission Beach

white water rafting with Raging Thunder Adventures — Brave the river rapids for a potent hit of adrenaline. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Made up of four beautiful beach villages (Bingil Bay, North Mission, Wongaling Beach and South Mission), Mission Beach is a great place to start your off-the-beaten-path tour.

Aside from uncrowded beach time and local cafe gems, there’s a surprising amount of high-adrenaline activities to get stuck into. From tandem skydiving and white water rafting to exploring the Outer Great Barrier Reef , you’ll leave feeling like you’ve accomplished something unbelievable.

a woman exploring the castle at Paronella Park — Walking around Paronella Park is like falling into a fairytale. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Paronella Park is also nearby if you’re interested in something a little more low-key but no less intriguing. This surreal parcel of land has a stone structure that resembles a small castle hidden among a plethora of verdant foliage.

The park’s ‘refreshment rooms’ were inspired by the late owner’s childhood memories of Catalan castles. Stay a while and stroll around the park, soaking up the abundant flora and fauna and admiring Mena Creek Falls.

Hinchinbrook Island

an aerial view of the sandy beaches at Thorsborne Trail — Tackle the epic 32-kilometre Thorsborne Trail. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Just a boat ride away from Cardwell or Lucinda is Hinchinbrook Island , where sapphire water, sandy beaches and emerald rainforest collide.

With no resorts or vehicles around, the island remains relatively untouched, so you’re free to choose your own adventure by foot; hike, kayak, or cast a line from a secluded beach; marvel at the picturesque landscapes or snorkel the fringing Great Barrier Reef Marine Park waters.

a man standing on a rock admiring the Zoe Falls — Stop to take in the sights at Zoe Falls. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Most bushwalking trails on the island can be done in just a few hours, but if you’ve got time up your sleeve and have a thirst for adventure, you may want to tackle the Thorsborne Trail. This epic 32-kilometre walk is rated as one of the top 10 walks on the planet and should take you around four days to complete while camping along the way.

A permit to hike the Thorsborne Trail can be booked out months in advance, but there are plenty of day trips to enjoy too. Camp overnight at Zoe Bay for a castaway treat.

Ingham

a wild cassowary in the forest, TYTO Wetlands — Spot a wild cassowary at TYTO Wetlands. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Along The Hinchinbrook Way, you’ll find bakeries and cafes, steakhouses, and pubs, as well as Queensland’s Little Italy – Ingham . Renowned for its exceptional diversity and quality of Italian culture, make sure to sample the region’s finest Italian-inspired delicatessens.

Ingham is the main town centre of the Hinchinbrook Region, so it’s absolutely worth carving a dent into your itinerary to spend more time here. There’s a variety of hotels, motels, B&Bs, and a caravan park to choose from, so it couldn’t be easier to base yourself here.

a couple enjoying a picnic at TYTO Wetlands — The wetlands make for a perfect backdrop to a romantic picnic. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

You’ll also find a birdwatcher’s paradise at TYTO Wetlands . With over 240 species of birds to spot, a myriad of photographic opportunities exist along its extensive walking tracks, viewing platforms, and 11-metre-tall observation tower. Time your visit for early morning or late afternoon and look out for the adorable crimson finch, red right down to the end of its beak.

On your way out of Ingham, stop for a taste of the tropics at the iconic Frosty Mango and try unusual tropical fruits (or ice cream flavours) like sapodilla, canistel, soursop and Brazilian cherry. Tip: abiu fruit tastes just like crème caramel.

Paluma Range National Park

an aerial view of Abergowrie State Forest — Abergowrie State Forest is surrounded by exotic pine plantations and eucalypt forests. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Nearby is Paluma Range National Park, famous for its idyllic rainforest setting at Jourama Falls. Its swimming holes and shallow streams are a cooling escape on a hot day. Or a little further out in the scenic Herbert River Valley is Abergowrie State Forest, where you can stroll along the 1.6-kilometre return Rainforest Walk, relax in your very own calm water rocky nooks and stop for a BBQ lunch.

Girringun National Park

a scenic aerial view of Wallaman Falls — Wallaman Falls is the highest single-drop waterfall in Australia. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

This is the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, so you aren’t short of wonderful waterfalls for a freshwater swim . Among them, Wallaman Falls in Girringun National Park is Australia’s highest permanent single-drop waterfall (268 metres) and throws misty beauty across the surrounding rainforest.

But that’s not all that you’ll find here – there’s also Herbert River. Abundant big fish swim in these warm waters, and fishing fans will enjoy many world-class fishing opportunities . Take a charter boat and try your luck at bagging barramundi, coral trout, red emperor, and giant trevally. You can also get out into the rugged landscapes of Herbert River Gorge and try your luck at heli-fishing.

Mungalla Station

Learn more about the history and culture of the Nywaigi Aboriginal people at this award-winning cattle station , where you can tour the property and its old homestead, enrich yourself with cultural experiences, spot birds and crocodiles, find out about the Indigenous relationship with the environment, and try your hand at throwing a boomerang. You’ll also learn about Pacific Islander and European settler influences on the land.

Forrest Beach

While you’re spoilt for beaches on this stretch of coast, Forrest Beach is a particularly special small coastal locality, running right over the horizon, and dragging your gaze out toward several islands. You’ll find patrolled sections, netted areas for swimming, and plenty of empty sand for a romantic sunset stroll or – if you stay overnight – an early morning jog. No complaints about the little town either, which has accommodation options and provides fish and chips or a cold pub beer to round off a lovely day.

Orpheus Island

Surrounded by a national park, decorated with fine beaches and fringed in reefs, the secluded Orpheus Island is not to be missed and has plenty of snorkelling opportunities.

The recently restored Yanks Jetty, used by American ships and submarines during the Second World War, is the perfect spot to bliss out for the day. Duck your head into a big blue world filled with colourful corals, fish, and occasional turtles and reef sharks. You can camp overnight or stay at a luxury resort on the island.

Now you’ve arrived in this tropical city of Townsville, check out our ultimate guide on what to do in Townsville.

This article was originally written by Brian Johnston with updates by Jemma Fletcher.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

Cairns to Townsville drive: Top places to stop on this epic road trip