Thorsborne Trail enhancement project frequently asked questions

Will the guided tours add more hikers onto the trail?

The allowance of hikers on the Thorsborne Trail remains within the cap of 60 places across the trail at any one time, as outlined in the Hinchinbrook Island Visitor Strategy 2017. To help spread independent hiker numbers more evenly across the trail and camping areas and avoid crowding, QPWS is trialling a change from 40 people at any one time on the trail, to 12 people starting the trail each day. This will maintain similar usage consistent with Visitor Strategy limits. Guided tour places are allocated above this existing cap, for a maximum of 20 places at any one time.

Will the Thorsborne Trail be extended?

There are no plans to extend the Thorsborne Trail.

What changes are being made to the Thorsborne Trail?

Minor changes to the current trail are planned to address impacts to natural/cultural values and visitor safety issues. This may include short alternate tracks around tidal creeks/swamps, address erosion issues, and minor diversions for safety reasons. The trail will remain as a class 5 hike.

What changes are being made to the camping areas?

In keeping with the desired remote and wild experience, site upgrades are generally low-key, focusing on better site design and flow. The new layouts allow users more space and separation between Thorsborne Trail hikers and other user groups like boat-based campers.

Feedback from visitor surveys has been considered in the designs to make the sites more functional. For example, there is a track to allow hikers camping at the beach sites at South Zoe Bay to access the toilet when the beach is impassable due to high tides.

Where will group camp sites be?

The group camp sites are incorporated into the redesign of 3 of the 6 Thorsborne Trail camping areas at Little Ramsay, South Zoe Bay, and Mulligan Falls. These group sites will be separated from independent hikers’ sites and will be used primarily for guided tours.

What infrastructure is being provided?

In total 5 toilet upgrades are planned for construction (2 new, 3 replaced), with the three main camping areas of Little Ramsay, Zoe Bay and Mulligan Falls having been completed as the top priority. These sites now each have toilets with dual pedestals to reduce waiting times. Each camp site has a seating platform and new pack poles - which can also be used for hanging a hiking fly for shelter. Boat-based camping areas and the day-users area at South Zoe Bay have picnic tables as were previously provided.

What infrastructure is in the group camp sites?

These aresimilar to the independent hikers, but with a group focus.

There isa communal area consisting of two seating platforms with integrated storage underneath, pack poles – allowing temporary shelter to be hung – and informal log seating. Small tent sites will be provided and pack poles. The group sites share toilets with other user groups at the camping areas.

Will the camping areas be leased out for development?

The entirety of the island, including the camping areas, will remain as National Park. There are no plans to lease camping areas as part of this project.

Who has informed this project?

A post-visit survey has been sent to all Thorsborne Trail hikers since 2020 and has so far collected over 1200 responses. Feedback overwhelmingly shows that hikers value the remote and wild nature of the island and don’t want significant development on the island. Their feedback has been instrumental in understanding the current visitor experience, trends, and informing areas for improvement.

The Munamudanamy Working Group has been established between QPWS&P and Traditional Owners. This Working Group meets quarterly to discuss, among other matters, this project. Traditional Owners approve of the project and provide cultural supervision on site visits and construction works. Traditional Owners are an integral part of the guided hiking tours.

The project is consistent the 2017 Hinchinbrook Island National Park Management Plan and Visitor Strategy, which identifies a range of strategic management directions and objectives in relation to the Thorsborne Trail. The management plan was developed with a significant level of public consultation with 46 formal submissions received and considered.

How are environmental impacts being managed?

Ecological surveys were undertaken for each of the project sites to assess potential environmental impacts and inform the designs to minimise these during construction and ongoing use of the sites. Camping area design has been planned to maximise the use of existing disturbed areas in and around the current camping areas. A range of island biosecurity measures are in place to minimise risks from construction works.

Will the guided hiking tour impact upon QPWS fire and pest management programs?

QPWS fire and pest management programs are already planned to limit disturbances to Thorsborne Trail users. The addition of a guided tour onto the trail does notcause any additional impacts.

The guided hiking group camp sitesare aligned to existing Thorsborne Trail sites (Little Ramsay, South Zoe, Mulligan Falls).

A seasonal closure over higher risk months has been implemented to reduce weather-related risks for hikers and will also allow for better planning of some park management activities, such as pests, fires and weeds.

Does the government have plans for the guided tours to become a larger ecotourism venture with an introduction of hard infrastructure like shelters and cabins?

No. There are no plans for areas to be leased to a private operator as part of this project. Guided tours are through a commercial activity agreement and infrastructure provided isin keeping with the ‘remote and wild’ experience that the Thorsborne Trail is renowned for.