Frequently asked questions
What is the Ngaro Track?
The Ngaro Track is Queensland's newest 32km multi-day hike connecting the white sands of Whitehaven Beach to the iconic swirls of Hill inlet on Whitsunday Island, part of Whitsunday Islands National Park. The challenging 3-day, 2-night hike explores the diverse landscapes of Whitsunday Island featuring rainforest, palm groves, spectacular stands of grass trees and hillsides dominated by hoop pines.
Unique custom-built campsites, Bowarri yamba (Moon camp) and Dhula yamba (Tree camp), offer communal gathering areas with bespoke low-impact infrastructure and sweeping views over secluded bays.
Accessible only by boat, the experience is set in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and was developed in close collaboration with the Ngaro People. The rich Ngaro history is woven into the track through art installations and interpretation points.
Walkers can choose their own level of adventure on the Ngaro Track – walk in comfort on a fully-guided and catered experience; join an expedition-style tour on a Ngaro Track full-pack guided hike or be self-sufficient as an independent walker.
Are previously accessible walking tracks and camp sites on Whitsunday Island still open to the public?
Yes. Visitors can continue to access the places and walking tracks they’ve always visited on the island. This includes the Whitehaven Beach lookout and headland tracks, the Solway circuit and Chance Bay tracks accessible from Whitehaven Beach; and the Beach track and Hill Inlet track accessible from Tongue Bay. Read more about Whitsunday Islands National Park.
Most of the Ngaro Track consists of new sections of hand-built Grade 4 and Grade 5 track that the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships (QPWS) has worked on in collaboration with our First Nations partners, the Ngaro People.
Camping on Whitsunday Island also remains available at Dugong, Nari’s, Joe’s and Cairn beaches as well as at iconic Whitehaven Beach and Chance Bay linked by the Solway circuit and Chance Bay walking tracks.
How many hikers camps are part of the Ngaro Track and where are they?
The Ngaro Track has two hikers campsites – Bowarri yamba (Moon camp) overlooking Silica Bay and Dhula yamba (Tree camp) nestled in the forest behind Torres Herald Bay. Both hikers camps are situated along the new Ngaro Track.
Existing QPWS campsites at Whitehaven Beach and Chance Bay are not considered part of the Ngaro Track.
What is QPWS providing at the two hikers camps?
At each custom-built hikers camp QPWS provides:
- a bespoke designed shelter for communal gathering, cooking and group activities
- eight camping platforms and an additional earth node with hammock posts
- one toilet facility (with two toilets)
- water collection points (treat before drinking).
Why did QPWS release an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a tourism operator to run guided tours on the Ngaro Track?
The intent for the Ngaro Track was always for QPWS to partner with a tourism operator who shares our vision of preserving and showcasing the exceptional natural and cultural values of Whitsunday Islands National Park. Fully guided and catered walking experiences enable a broader range of visitors to undertake a multi-day walk in this remarkable setting, as participants can carry lighter packs while benefitting from the support, knowledge and safety oversight of experienced guides.
Having a tourism operator conducting regular tours also provides a consistent and predictable on-ground presence along the track resulting in real-time surveillance and monitoring, while also supporting the ongoing upkeep of the walking experience through basic campsite and track maintenance duties.
Who is the successful tour operator?
World Expeditions, who are global leaders in small-group, multi-day walking experiences and who have been operating for 50 years, were the successful tour operator in the competitive EOI process. World Expeditions will work with the Ngaro peoples and the Whitsunday tourism community to showcase the natural and cultural wonders of Whitsunday Island through a variety of experiences including fully-guided walk in comfort tours and explorer expedition-style walks.
When did walking on the Ngaro Track commence and how do I book?
April 2026 marked a major milestone, as the first independent walkers set foot on the Ngaro Track ahead of guided walks commencing in May 2026.
To book the Ngaro Track, independent walkers visit the Ngaro Track website and those seeking a guided walking experience, visit Australian Walking Holidays or World Expeditions.
All walkers must have a valid Ngaro Track booking and plan well in advance.
Will guided walks be offered all year round?
The accepted walking ‘season’ in north Queensland is generally April/May to October as this is the time of year with the most favourable walking conditions, and less threat of severe weather events such as tropical cyclones.
QPWS will work with World Expeditions to determine the availability of fully-guided walk in comfort tours and expedition-style Ngaro Track full-pack guided hikes throughout each calendar year.
Can self-sufficient walkers book the Ngaro Track?
Yes. Self-sufficient independent walkers can access the Ngaro Track by making a booking through the Ngaro Track website.
The remoteness of the Ngaro Track and its two hikers camps pose safety risks for walkers, particularly in relation to extreme weather, injury and access to potable water. A contemporary booking system manages all walker departures to facilitate safe, sustainable use of the Ngaro Track. Independent walkers also receive access to a navigation app which provides detailed maps and track notes. Additionally, our Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area islands are among the most pest-free islands in the world. Targeted pre-departure information ensures all walkers receive essential information regarding safety and biosecurity.
How many people can walk the Ngaro Track at any one time?
To minimise environmental impacts and ensure a quality walking experience each group is limited to 15 people (excluding guides) with 45 multi-day walkers on the 32km of track at any one time. In addition, it is intended the Ngaro Track be walked in one direction with the walk starting at Whitehaven Beach and ending at Hill Inlet.
QPWS has designed the hikers camps and infrastructure to cater for this number, including water collection modelling at each camp.
Can the general public access the Ngaro Track?
Yes, self-sufficient independent hikers can book their hike through the Ngaro Track website. Visitors wanting the support of a guided hike can make a booking through World Expeditions via Australian Walking Holidays or World Expeditions.
Visitors without a Ngaro Track booking will be able to access the walking tracks around Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet that have always been available. This includes the Whitehaven Beach lookout and headland tracks, the Solway circuit and Chance Bay tracks accessible from Whitehaven Beach; and the Beach track and Hill Inlet track accessible from Tongue Bay.
Visitors without a Ngaro Track booking will not be able to access the Ngaro Track beyond Chance Bay or the Hill Inlet lookouts.
Can visitors without a booking access the Ngaro Track and the hikers camps?
No. Throughout Queensland, all QPWS camp sites require visitors to make a booking before they access the area. This is the same for the Ngaro Track. If a visitor does not have a booking, they are not able to access the track and its two hikers camps.
Whitsunday Island is very heavily visited and has several camping and walking opportunities for independent travellers including the premium camp sites at iconic Whitehaven Beach and Chance Bay linked by a five-kilometre return walk. There are also short walks available from Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, and visitors to Whitsunday Island are also able to camp at Dugong, Nari’s, Joe’s and Cairn beaches.
How will World Expeditions service the hikers camps?
Accessing the Ngaro Track hikers camps with bulky equipment will be necessary for servicing the sites mainly at the beginning and end of the guided walking season.
As the airspace over Whitsunday Island is currently utilised by other operators QPWS will support helicopter usage at the beginning and end of each guided walking season to transport removable camping equipment. Limited intermittent helicopter usage may also be required for food and maintenance supplies and supplementary water during each guided walking season.
Is water be provided for hikers?
QPWS has installed water tanks for rainfall capture, using water modelling for collection and use to meet the expected 15 walkers plus approximately two support staff per day using a hikers camp. Water must be treated before drinking. Supplementary water may be required during periods of very low rainfall.
Are Ngaro Track walkers be allowed to have campfires?
No. Consistent with camping throughout the Whitsundays, open fires are not permitted on the Ngaro Track.
What sewage systems are in place on the Ngaro Track and who will service and maintain them?
Sewage systems at each of the Ngaro Track hikers camps will be fully contained.
Campsite 1 Bowarri yamba (Moon camp) is elevated, overlooking Silica Bay and has a Clivus Multrum CM14 system. This contained system reticulates liquids to allow for composting and evapotranspiration. Solid composted material is removed from the toilet every three to five years. This will be serviced via helicopter.
Campsite 2 Dhula yamba (Tree camp) is nestled in the forest behind Torres Herald Bay and has a pure-a-blu vault system. This contained system securely stores waste for pump-out via barge.
The amenities will be routinely cleaned by World Expeditions.
Who was consulted during the development of the Ngaro Track?
QPWS has been consulting with the Ngaro People since 2018 and engaged external contractors to undertake a feasibility study to determine market demand. Additionally, QPWS has engaged and informed tourism and other interest groups through Whitsunday Local Marine Advisory Committee and bi-annual Parks News publications on the status of the project.
A focus group including multi-day walking enthusiasts across a range of demographics walked the track and provided their feedback. The group included local residents and interstate visitors (including a representative from Tourism Whitsunday). Participants were surveyed to gauge the track experience from a walker’s perspective, and their responses were considered when developing the Ngaro Track product.