Nature & Wildlife
Mungalla Aboriginal Tours
The history and culture of Mungalla tours begins at the grand Mungalla Station homestead where they introduce you to 45,000 years of Nywaigi Aboriginal Culture. Hear their stories and learn to throw a boomerang or spear. Then board the bus for a short trip to the original homestead site where they'll introduce you to Irish settler James Cassady and his family who were the first European settlers on Mungalla and advocated for Aboriginal people and allowed their ancestors to remain on their traditional lands. As you view the remnants of the original Mungalla site hear the pioneering stories of these settlers and let your thoughts drift back in time and consider the glory of old Mungalla. Return to the homestead to experience the truly amazing Captive Lives story that documents the unbelievable story of Aboriginal people displayed as human curiosities throughout the circuses of Europe and America. This amazing exhibition toured nationally and was seen by over 300,000 Australians. Interact with Aboriginal people as they share this wonderful story with you. Add their optional eco-tourism package to your tour where they show you their efforts to regenerate their wetlands and save endangered species. Group tours a speciality.
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Hinchinbrook Island Tours (Hitours)
At HI Tours, the team is passionate about showcasing the natural beauty of Hinchinbrook Island and its surrounding landscapes. Nestled in the heart of the stunning Hinchinbrook Channel, the eco-experience boat tours offer a unique chance to explore one of Australia's most spectacular coastal regions. Cruising through vibrant mangrove forests, lush rainforests, and crystal-clear waters, guests will have the opportunity to witness an incredible variety of marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, crocodiles, and diverse bird species. The tours are perfect for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone looking to experience the raw beauty of the island firsthand. Led by knowledgeable local guides, each tour provides fascinating insights into the region's history, culture, and ecological significance. HI Tours is committed to delivering an experience that is immersive, educational, and environmentally responsible. At HI Tours, sustainability is at the heart of what the company does. The eco-friendly practices help minimise environmental impact while deepening connection to this remarkable ecosystem. The team believes in protecting Hinchinbrook's wild beauty so that future generations can enjoy it just as much. Join for an unforgettable journey where adventure, nature, and heritage come together in one of Australia's hidden gems.
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Broadwater, Abergowrie State Forest
In the scenic Herbert River Valley, Abergowrie State Forest features tropical rainforest, open eucalypt forest and exotic pine plantations adjacent to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Broadwater is a great place for a day visit. It has covered picnic areas with gas barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and cold showers. Choose from short walks, swimming, birdwatching, or just relax and enjoy the peace and tranquillity that the forest has to offer. The sizeable open areas cater for large groups, making it a popular destination for school groups during the week. Stroll along the 1.6km return Rainforest walk, spot wildlife, enjoy tantalising creek views and discover the famed Broadwater fig on this circuit walk through lush riparian rainforest. Try the longer 3km return Creek walk through open eucalypt forest, look for birds and take a dip in the delightful waterholes of Broadwater Creek along the way.
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Fishing on Hinchinbrook Island
Discover an island with a Jurassic outlook which abounds in flora, fauna, palm fringed beaches and extensive mangrove lined waterways. Hinchinbrook Island offers extensive flats and channel systems which are home to many prime tropical sportfish. This region boasts one of the few places in Australia where that much prized fly fishing adversary, the Permit (Snub Nosed Dart), can be targeted with some level of anticipation. Fishing with the majestic backdrop of Hinchinbrook Island is spectacular enough, but to be able to target good quality sportfish including barramundi, mangrove jacks, trevally, queenfish, salmon, fingermark, grunter and cod, makes this a fishing experience you'll never forget. Due to the magnificent mangrove environment, relative isolation in comparison to waters closer to Cairns and the lack of fishing pressure, this region is renowned for producing quality sportfish that are of a better average size than more heavily fished locations. The surrounding areas of Lucinda and Cardwell also offer great land based fishing with Duncan Wharf, Lucinda Wharf, Taylor's and Forrest Beaches being popular hot spots.
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Forrest Beach
Escape life's hustle and bustle and spend some time relaxing on Forrest Beach. Enjoy the long sandy beach front which overlooks Orpheus Island and the Palm Island group, or take a swim in the patrolled beach which also features stinger net protection during the summer months. Forrest Beach has a hotel/motel, caravan park and self-contained units. There are a small number of shops where essential items can be purchased.
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Hinchinbrook Island Tours (Hitours) Lucinda
At HI Tours, they are passionate about showcasing the breathtaking natural beauty of Hinchinbrook Island and its surrounding waterways. Operating primarily out of Cardwell, with additional departures from Lucinda, their eco-experience boat tours offer a unique opportunity to explore one of Australia's most pristine and spectacular coastal regions. Cruise through winding mangrove forests, lush tropical rainforests, and crystal-clear waters while experiencing the incredible diversity of wildlife that calls this area home. Guests often encounter dolphins, sea turtles, estuarine crocodiles, and a wide variety of birdlife, making every tour a memorable and immersive experience. HI Tours experiences are ideal for nature lovers, adventure seekers, photographers, and anyone wanting to experience the raw beauty of Hinchinbrook Island firsthand. Led by knowledgeable local guides, each tour provides engaging insights into the region's history, Indigenous heritage, and ecological significance. Whether you're visiting the region or a local looking to explore your own backyard, HI Tours offers an unforgettable journey through one of Australia's most iconic and unspoiled natural environments. Discover the magic of Hinchinbrook Island with HI Tours and experience one of Australia's true hidden gems. All Boats -Are fully shaded -Are equipped with an onboard toilet -Can accommodate group sizes of up to 24 people with comfortable ergonomic seating
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Ingham Memorial Gardens
At Ingham Memorial Gardens, find yourself relaxing amongst a collection of North Queensland landscapes. Enjoy a picnic lunch as you spy turtles and small fish swimming amongst the water lilies in the Garden's ponds. Wander through the numerous memorials featured in the Gardens and learn their fascinating stories. One such memorial is dedicated to Keith Payne, an Ingham local who was awarded the Victoria Cross in April 1970 by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, for his repeated acts of exceptional personal bravery and unselfish conduct during the Vietnam War. Another memorial is devoted to the 12 people who died when a United States Air Force Liberator B-42 Bomber, the "Texas Terror", crashed on Mount Straloch, Hinchinbrook Island.
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Jourama Falls, Paluma Range National Park
A picturesque waterfall on Waterview Creek, lush rainforest and fragrant woodlands are nestled in the foothills of the Seaview Range and protected as part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Set up camp beside Waterview Creek at Jourama Falls camping area and enjoy this popular swimming spot. Walk along the Jourama Falls lookout track for views over the awe-inspiring falls. Explore the creek on the return leg and slip into the clear water to cool off before returning to camp. If just visiting for the day, set up in the shade in the picnic area and enjoy a barbecue lunch before heading off to explore the park.
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Lucinda
Directly opposite the southern tip of World Heritage listed Hinchinbrook Island is the sleepy seaside hamlet of Lucinda. The eye-popping pride of Lucinda is a six kilometre jetty stretching far out into the Coral Sea. The jetty is the world's largest bulk sugar loading facility and is so long it actually curves with the earth. When conditions are right, you can sometimes see the dugongs and sea turtles at play. With the fertile Hinchinbrook Channel to the north and Coral Sea to the east, Lucinda is Shangri-La for keen anglers. Mangrove jack, coral trout, big juicy mud crabs and the fighting barramundi are all in plentiful supply. Hire a boat and head out to sea or try your luck in the estuary, mangroves, off the beach, or over the side of the jetty. Looming large off the coast, breathtaking Hinchinbrook Island is a pristine natural wilderness, home to the famous Thorsborne Trail, internationally rated one of the top 10 walks on the planet. From Lucinda you can embark on a Hinchinbrook safari and explore the Island's mist-shrouded mountains, waterfalls and freshwater pools. Accommodation in the area includes motels, hotels, caravans and self-contained cabins.
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Mount Fox
Located south-west of Ingham, Mount Fox was created by a violent volcanic explosion about 100000 years ago. In the explosion, a lava flow 10 metres thick spewed from the southern end of the crater and chunks of molten magma were thrown out of the volcano's vent. Today, the well formed crater, about 10 metres deep, is covered with sparse grasses and stunted trees amongst the eucalypt woodland environment. The pink and long-fruited bloodwoods are common in this area and vine thicket is found in a steep gully on the southern slopes. Mount Fox's tussock grass slopes shelter a number of small animals. On a cool day in the winter months, skinks and other reptiles can be seen basking on the volcanic bombs. During the hot summer months, the grass provides protection from the sun and are ideal nesting places for ground-dwelling birds like the little button quail. After sunset, rufous bettongs (small wallaby-type mammals) emerge to feed on herbs and grasses. The large wing span of a wedge-tailed eagle can also be seen, as this bird of prey soars above the Mount Fox crater.
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Pelorus and Orpheus Islands
Pelorus and Orpheus Islands are a popular location for day trips off Townsville. Part of the Palm Island Group, 80 kilometres north of Townsville, access to these continental island is from Lucinda. All around Pelorus and Orpheus Islands are rocky reefs covered in hard coral, soft coral, gorgonians and sea whips in depths from 12 metres to 25 metres. The coral coverage on these sites is surprisingly good, considering how close these islands are to the mainland. Popular dive sites around the islands include Bat Caves, The Maze, Moon Pools, Trenches and Black Coral Wall. At these sites divers can explore ledges, gutters, bommies and walls. Typical marine life in the area includes turtles, reef sharks, gropers, barramundi cod, batfish, stingrays and a good range of reef fish and invertebrates.
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Taylors Beach
Taylors Beach is a quiet beachside community centrally located between Forrest Beach and Lucinda and known by locals as an angler's paradise. With Orpheus Island and fringing reefs only a short distance away, Taylors Beach offers a wide variety of fish. Grab a fishing rod and prepare for some serious relaxation when you head to Taylors Beach.
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Wallaman Falls, Girringun National Park
Discover Wallaman Falls, Australia's highest permanent single drop waterfall, in Girringun National Park, west of Ingham. Surrounded by Wet Tropics World Heritage Area rainforest, Stony Creek plunges 268 metres in a clear single-drop, often through a rainbow-fringed cloud of mist. Gaze at Wallaman Falls from Wallman Falls lookout then follow the Djyinda walk to Herbert River Valley lookout which provides stunning views of the gorge and the Herbert River Valley. Continue on the 3.2 kilometre return Djyinda walk down to the viewing platform at the base of the falls. Be prepared for a steep descent and ascent on unstable surfaces. A moderate level of fitness is required. The 800 metre return Banggurru walk provides an opportunity for the whole family to experience some of the beauty of the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest along the banks of Stony Creek. Visit for a day to view the falls and relax over a picnic in the day use area near the falls lookout, or stay longer with an overnight camp beside Stony Creek at Wallaman Falls camping area. Girringun National Park is also the gateway to the Wet Tropics Great Walks. Discover plunging waterfalls, lush gorges and inspirational views as you tackle one of the two day walks that start from Wallaman Falls and trek down the Herbert River valley.
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