The last week has been very challenging for me. It was the first time I had started alone for Hinchinbrook Island. Lots of people have been asking me about the experience of my journey. So I am writing this hoping it might be of some help to others heading towards Hinchinbrook Island.
Cairns is a well known city in northern Australia and my home town too. Lucinda is just ??? kilometers from Cairns.
There is no need to worry regarding transportation as you have buses, & trains as well as hire cars. I choose the train, as it gives an amazing view throughout the journey. My trip started from Cairns Central Station, it took near about 4hr 30min to reach my first destination.
Cardwell city- The entrance to the Hinchinbrook Island and also the largest national park in Australia. It carries the portrait of the consensus of the mountain and sea, with the Girringun National Park on your left and Hinchinbrook Island on your right
After a long train journey a I needed a shelter badly. So I took the reservation of Cardwell Beachfront Hotel, situated at 1 Scott St, Cardwell QLD 4849, which is just 5min walking distance from Cardwell station and located right near the shore. It gives an amazing visual treat of the entire Island. I was quite happy with the facilities, they provided. It was very spacious, clean with free parking facilities.The stay at hotel was an affordable one as it included cheap prices of lunch, dinner apart from the cost per room.The accommodation was wonderful with amicable hosts always at my service. There were Cardwell spa pools and attie creek waterfalls right beside the hotel. Above all the delicious pork sliders in lunch just made my day. At night, the sound of the wave hitting the beach gave a soothing treat.
Girringun and Kirrama National Park- Next morning, I was very excited as the most awaited moment came. After having a cup of coffee, I started for my day trip Girringun and Kirrama National Park. The car took nearly 45min to cover the 27km area and finally reached to the Girringun national park, a perfect place for camping, picnic and outing with your family and friends. The natural surroundings of Wallaman falls will compel you to visit this place time and again.this waterfall is the highest, permanent, single-drop waterfall in Australia.
Anyway I packed my lunch from Cardwell seafoods before my starting towards the national park. I had a crab sandwich, yummy fish and chips, although they weren’t the best.
After spending 1 hour in the car, I entered a beautiful cool forest Kirrama National Park, surrounded by hills. The smell of flowers and the view of Blencoe Falls have made the forest more fascinating. The most breathtaking situation occurred when my car was running in the heavy rain and it got slippery in some parts.
Ramsay Beach- A new morning and I started for the north end (Ramsay beach) of thorsborne trail,Hinchinbrook Island. Generally this place known as the trekkers paradise. I would like to say except ferries, there are no other facilities. I was picked up by the ferry at 9.15 am from the beach at Marine Farade.However when I reached at Ramsay Bay,I found an untouched tropical area on the east coast with the rocky headline, surrounded by the mangrove.
It’s just a combination of all the natural segments, from cloud covered mountain to the panorama of wildlife.The available lifeguard, fishing, snorkeling, swimming hole and scuba diving facilities were quite impressive. The great barrier reef is not too far away from this Island. April to september, this time is best for a walk.
The journey came to an end and the time to return to cardwell. It was the most amazing experience, I have ever spent in my life.
I am compelled to say that the trip was excellent and beyond my expectations. My trekking became more enjoyable with the help of John. I am really thankful to John for the convenient and cost effective transfer ($175 only) which he provided from cardwell to Ramsay and Ramsay to cardwell. He has a broad knowledge about the place and also very passionate about wildlife. It was an incredible time with John. I really miss each and every moment of the entire journey and eagerly waiting to come and visit this place again.