Hinchinbrook Island National Park | Tropical North Queensland

You'll find a beach, creek and short walk at The Haven day-use area area. Photo credit: Emma Schmidt © Queensland Government

The rugged beauty of Hinchinbrook Island National Park must be seen to be believed! Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Queensland

The Haven day-use area

Take a break from exploring the Hinchinbrook Channel in this quiet and shady picnic area that has spectacular views.

Accessible by

Boat

Attraction facilities

Picnic tables
Toilets (non-flush)

Take a break from a day exploring the creeks and tributaries of Hinchinbrook Channel and set up in the shade in this grassy picnic area. Let the kids run around and then enjoy a quiet picnic at one of the tables.

Before you head back out onto the water, stretch your legs on The Haven track. Loop through a mixed forest with tall licuala palms along a small, clear creek. Back on the beach, if the tide is low you can see the remains of an Aboriginal fish trap, made from rocks, at the southern end of the day-use area.

This island park is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, famed for its superlative natural beauty, outstanding examples of reef ecosystem development, evolutionary history and amazing diversity.

Getting there and getting around

The Haven day-use area is in Hinchinbrook Island National Park, 8km off the Queensland coast at Cardwell.

The day-use area can be accessed by private vessel launched from Cardwell or Lucinda, or sea kayak.

Private vessel

Visitors accessing the island by private vessel should obtain a copy of the Hinchinbrook plan of management 2004 (PDF, 1.74MB) for information on transit lanes and boat speeds to aid dugong and turtle conservation.
Access to some areas of Hinchinbrook Island is weather and tide dependent and a good knowledge of the waters and potential hazards is essential.
Check local tide tables and weather conditions at the Bureau of Meteorology before you set out.
Read boat and fish with care for tips on boating and fishing safety and caring for parks.

Sea kayak

Commercial sea kayak tours of Hinchinbrook Island are available.
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.