The Thorsborne Trail has moved to a ‘hiking season’ model to book camping permits for self-sufficient independent hiking. Under this new model, permits for several months are released all at once on pre-announced dates and times. QPWS is also trialling a change from 40 people at any one time on the trail, to 12 people starting the trail each day.

Starting in 2027, QPWS is changing the refund policy for the Thorsborne Trail; permits must be cancelled at least 14 days before the start date to get a refund. Cancelling unused permits allows other hikers to be able to take those spots and supports the local businesses by utilising the available capacity. More information on the new refund policy will be made available in the coming months.

Remember, when camping permits are released you will be competing with other people to secure bookings. Twelve permits for self-sufficient independent hiking will be available to start the trail each day, and demand for permits (especially during the peak hiking months) will be greater than the availability. Customers will be directed to a virtual waiting room to access the booking system.

1. Ensure you understand how to access your account in the new Qld National Parks Booking Service.

   The Queensland National Parks Booking Service changed to a new booking platform for camping in early 2025. The Thorsborne Trail is now booked differently to other camping areas and great walks in Queensland, and differently to how it was booked before. You now choose a start date and number of people, then select a Thorsborne Trail Pass for the number of nights you want (2–5).

   Ensure you know how to make a camping booking in the new system. Visit the booking page to familiarise yourself with the process well before the permit release. When selecting a start date, the calendar does not show crossed-out dates when a start date is booked out, but the products will say ‘change dates – next available (date month year)’ if your selected date is unavailable. You can also click the ‘View availability’ button in the top right corner to see how many permits are available to start the trail each day.

   The availability calendar does not show crossed-out dates when a start date is booked out, but the products will say ‘change dates – next available (date month year)’ if your selected date is unavailable.

   • Book your Thorsborne Trail Pass at Thorsborne Trail booking. If you have made a QPWS camping booking since 1 July 2024, use your email address to reset your password to access your account. Sign in before permits are released at 9am AEST on the specified date.
   • If you are making your first QPWS camping booking since 1 July 2024, do not try to sign in before permits are released. Click ‘skip and continue’ when booking – a new customer account will be created automatically as part of your booking.

   Ensure your personal payment details are up to date and correct if you have an existing account or have your card details ready to type in the payment page.

2. Be prepared for the permit release of camping permits.

   Know and plan for the date and time for the release of the camping permits for the camping block you are interested in booking. Have access to a computer to make your booking online when the camping permits are released at 10am (Queensland time) on the specified date. Pre-fill your chosen start date and the number of people in your hiking party and then refresh the page at exactly 10am (Queensland time) to see the availability of permits and begin booking. Remember, your booking is not secured until you have completed the payment page and clicked ‘finalise’. Be prepared with backup dates if you are initially unsuccessful.

To improve the experience for people booking Thorsborne Trail camping permits, QPWS is moving to a ‘hiking seasons’ model, where camping permits for several months will be released all at once at a set date and time advised in advance similar to models used widely for popular hiking and camping locations in other states. To help spread self-sufficient independent hiker numbers more evenly across the trail and camping areas and avoid crowding, QPWS is also 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 Management Plan limits.

Camping permits for self-sufficient independent hiking will be released to the public on set dates and during business hours advised in advance allowing ample time and equal opportunity for customers to obtain permits.

Self-sufficient independent hiking camping permits for Thorsborne Trail hiking seasons are announced in advance via Park Alerts and on this page. For camping permit releases for future seasons and other information about changes to booking the Thorsborne Trail, check this web page, which will be updated over time.

The maximum self-sufficient independent hiker group size for the Thorsborne Trail is six (6).

Bookings for self-sufficient independent hiking will remain open from the release date until the end of the hiking season. QPWS actively encourages visitors to cancel camping permits they no longer need. Reminders are sent to people with Thorsborne Trail permits every few months to ask them to cancel permits if people are no longer going. Checking the booking system on a regular basis after camping permits are released will often show availabilities, once groups have cancelled bookings they do not need. There are penalties for ‘ghost bookings’, if people are found to not be camping but did not cancel their permit.

QPWS does not provide a waitlist service for any camping bookings. The camping booking service is live in real time, meaning if a camping permit is cancelled it immediately becomes available for another customer to book. QPWS encourages you to continue checking the website for available camping permits closer to your preferred hiking dates.

Self-sufficient independent hiking permits for the Thorsborne Trail will be closed until each permit release date. Customers can continue to visit this web page (qld.gov.au/ThorsborneTrailHikingSeasons), to see release dates and times for future seasons.

There is 1 hiking season for the Thorsborne Trail – 1 March to 31 December. Self-sufficient independent hiking camping permits will be released a few months before the start of each season. The standard annual seasonal closure period of 1 January to 28 February will remain in place to manage the increased risk of unsafe conditions at this time of year.

All national park camping areas in Queensland, including the Thorsborne Trail, have a standard fee of $7.50 per adult per night.

No, the Management Plan for Hinchinbrook Island and associated Visitor Strategy identifies a maximum limit of 40 to 60 people on the trail at any one time to maintain the remote and wild nature experience. Changes to the booking model and trial of 12 hikers starting per day will maintain the same visitor capacity. High demand for Thorsborne Trail permits will likely continue, release dates of permits will be communicated through this web page (qld.gov.au/ThorsborneTrailHikingSeasons).