ROAD TRIP DIARIES # 18
Cardwell Port Hinchinbrook Marina
It came as no surprise to find out we would be cruising to the Hinchinbrook Island with an all gray nomad team after realising we were the only people below 50 in the packed caravan park at Cardwell. Most tourists and backpackers would probably skip this town and head straight to the more popular Mission Beach. But after much contemplation, Charles and I decided to avail of the expensive day tour to Hinchinbrook Island while we were nearby. We reckoned we may never go back to this part of Queensland again and it could be our last chance to see this pristine wilderness.
Hinchinbrook Island is the largest island National Park in Australia and is somewhat of a mecca for serious bush walkers and naturalists. You need to book about a year in advance if you want to trek the famous Thorsborne Trail during peak season and only 40 visitors are allowed to traverse it at any one time. We weren’t really ready or fit for a 3-4 day trek in the wilderness nor had we made any reservation so we opted for a 5 and ½ hour tour, which included exploration of the mangroves, visiting the long stretch of beach at Ramsay Bay and exploring the beach near Hinchinbrook Island Resort.
We started our day in Cardwell driving around the picturesque minivillage near the port looking for a safe spot to leave our camper van. We then joined the rest of the guests at Port Hinchinbrook Marina, had our morning tea and listened to a short talk about our itinerary for the day. It didn’t take long before we boarded the ferry and sailed our way through the Hinchinbrook Channel. It was a ride filled with magnificent scenery: thick mangroves fringed the channel, rugged mountains lorded over the skyline and dense forests and sandy beaches were in abundance.
Stop Over at Hinchinbrook Island Resort
We reached the Hinchinbrook Island Resort in less than an hour and were given about an hour to explore the area. The resort is nicely built into a steep hillside covered in lush greenery. It has cosy wooden cabins, an outdoor pool and beautiful sandy beaches not far away.
After exploring around the empty resort, Charles did his morning beach walk while I slept on the beach throughout our stay hoping to recover fast from seasickness. My short nap did wonders for my seasickness, and I recovered just in time for our mangrove cruise. We left our ferry boat near the resort and transferred to a smaller boat.
Orchid Beach
Goanna
Mangrove Cruise
It was hard to imagine the immensity of one of the world’s largest island national park while cruising through the mangrove forest but just the thought of setting foot on an unspoilt wilderness was already a rewarding experience in itself.
Cruising with the Gray Nomads
Mt. Bowen lording over the the pristine wilderness
Ramsay Beach
On the way to Ramsay Beach, Charles and I went to find our own separate nook away from the rest of the group. After collecting our pre-packed lunch from our guide, we traced a forested path in the opposite direction from the gray nomads, towards the northern end of the beach. Enjoying the seclusion of a long stretch of golden sand wasn’t a bad alternative to missing the chance to hike through the rainforest wilderness. It was a whirlwind visit which made us think seriously about going back in the future just to trek the Thorsborne Trail, reputedly one of the world’s best trekking adventures.
Off to Ramsay Beach
Testing the water
Lunch on our own secluded nook
The water was too cold for my liking so I opted to walk along the beach after a hasty dip. We were the only people on this side of the island and the whole stretch of the beach on both sides was empty. Perhaps the gray nomads were still having their lunch at some shady spot.
After lunch, Charles didn’t waste any time and dove straight into the waves in his birth suit. We were just starting to have fun when we realised it was about time to rejoin the group and cruise back to the resort. Half day on this island was merely scratching the surface, you could spend weeks here and still have plenty of secluded nooks to explore.
Cardwell Forest Drive
It was still early when we reached the town so we decided to do the Cardwell Forest Drive before heading to Mission Beach . It was a scenic 26 kilometer roundtrip through softwood pine plantations, rainforest lined creeks and farmland. The highlight of this trip was visiting one of the three lookouts which offered a stunning view of the largest mangrove everglades in Australia.
Acres of Planted Pine Trees
Last walk of the day before heading to Mission Beach
Spa Pool
There were also a few lovely swimming holes in the area each with their own picnic facilities but we ended driving to the Spa Pool out of curiosity. We found a strangely bluish creek, spooky roots protruding near the river banks and an empty spa pool. It was dry season during our visit so the spa pools were empty. The Spa Pool earns its name from the water gushing into a natural rock formation which creates a stimulating spa effect and provides a fun way to cool off.
Strangely bluish water
One of the natural spa pools
The water here wasn’t as inviting as the previous waterholes we had visited so we left Cardwell and drove to Tully, Queensland – the wettest place in Australia.
(This is part of our 6-week North Queensland Road Trip Series, which took place July- August 2010)
Australian Road Trip 101: A Vantastic Beginning
Road Trip Diaries # 1 – An Encounter with the Strangest Animal in the World
Road Trip Diaries # 2 – Of Strangler Figs, Leeches and Long Holidays
Road Trip Diaries # 3 - Exploring Finch Hatton Gorge
Road Trip Diaries # 4 – Cape Hillsborough: On Bush Walks Beach Strolls and Star Gazing
Road Trip Diaries # 5 – Cape Hillsborough: Sunrise and Wild Kangaroos
Road Trip Diaries # 6 – Airlie Beach: Beaches Babes and Backpackers
Road Trip Diaries # 7 – Ocean Rafting to the Whitsundays
Road Trip Diaries # 8 – Unexpected Encounters
Road Trip Diaries # 9 – Exploring Bowenwood
Road Trip Diaries # 10 – Townsville: Finding Nemo and the Sunken Pandora
Road Trip Diaries # 11 – A Visit at the Billabong Sanctuary and Castle Hill
Road Trip Diaries # 12 – Magnetic Island: What Captain Cook Missed
Road Trip Diaries # 13 – Paluma Range National Park: A Walk in the Clouds
Road Trip Diaries # 14 – Of Didgeridoo, Exotic Fruits and Why I love Camping in the Bush
Road Trip Diaries # 15 – Jourama Falls: A Gray Nomad Affair
Road Trip Diarues # 16 – The Bird Man of Tyto Wetlands
Road Trip Diaries # 17 – The Quest for Wallaman Falls
i love the color of the orchid beach. parang ang sarap apakan. at ang seksi mo lang ateng. aw!
Mas maganda yung sa Ramsay Beach, puti sya at ang haba nung shoreline
Love the lunch Claire! That looks so delicious! Loved your photos. Oh no you also suffer from sea sickness. Me too unfortunately I don´t recover for days! Great trip!!!
‘Same here Nelieta, the wrap was really delicious. I dont usually suffer from seasickness. It was only the second time I think out of the countless boat rides I’ve had before.
ganda ng mga shots… specially the bluish water idol ka tlaga claire.
Cant stop smiling everytime I read the words gray nomads.
What color is their beach sand in person? Gold? Is it powdery as Bora’s? Wow! Your photo sleeping by the beach, I want to try that.
I enjoyed reading your post…and your photos, wonderful! The river (or sapa ba ito?) with blue water, that’s very interesting. Ingat sa mga trips.
Thank you for dropping by Lito. Some beaches have golden sand but most of them were white.
I guess i’m kinda fascinated with the gray nomads hehehe. They’re sort of an inspiration to me to never stop exploring even with the onset of aching joints
We also found it a bit strange to see bluish water in the creek. We first thought the water was polluted, but it’s unlikely because it’s a protected park.
Clarie you looking awesome hehehe
enjoyed your post and i m sure that u might have had a grt time .. and what is that gonna ?? i never heard this before ???
Thanks Benedict, we surely had a great time here. Goanna is one of the many species of monitor lizard found in Australia.
Very beautiful place. How I wish I can also experience the wilds. You look prettier Claire. hehe:-)
I wonder if we still have untouched wilderness in our country. But at least we could still see some wildlife in their natural habitat until now. Hopefully one day I could visit the Kalayaan Group of Islands and observe the turtles for days
Love your shot sleeping on the beach – did the ‘goanna’ wake you up by surprise? (I certainly would if that thing is already lying next to me hehe!)
At least, this is one trip to a wilderness area that you’d never regret not going…
If we were some rich travellers, we would have opted for the chopper tour. The view from the top was quite breathtaking based from the brochure, but getting up close with the island for a few hours wasn’t too shabby either.
We saw the Goanna when we were about to leave the resort, a pleasant farewell
I really do look forward to your blog!! This was a beautiful place to visit, wish I was there with you two photographing the area. I think I have read of this happening in Southern Australia and If I remember correctly it has to do with calcium carbonate being in the water and that depending on the temperature it even changes shades of blue. I loved the image of you sleeping on the beach, very close to being a great travelog image advertising the area!!
http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/07/why-is-it-second-nature-for-wedding.html
So calcium carbonate was the culprit
it might be the reason for the pinkish water at Magnetic Island.
Wow, that is one big goanna! Is it like our tuko here?
I’m not sure but I think they belong to the same family.
wow the island looks amazing. when my bf and i visited palawan we also took a tour of the islands and found little nooks where it was just us and our group of friends. the pictures are awesome, as always!
Thanks Seair, it’s always nice to have the whole island for yourself during your visit.
I love the photo of you sleeping on the beach. The next photo of the lizard looks scary though!
That’s my DIY treatment for my seasickness
Wow! Am so excited upon seeing the Orchid Beach. . . looks strikingly similar, especially the sand color and texture, with that of Puyangi Beach in Bucas Grande Island.
not sure if youve read the book “Going Bush”. youve made a great series similar to their journey. youve showed us beyond the usual sights.
the beaches looks so much like that of the western side of palawan.
Your photos and narrative are wonderful. I wish I could visit this area of the world but I will have to settle for your lovely blog and beautiful photos to transport me here
Ey claire, I don’t know which photo and scene to comment! Beautiful indeed! Saya ng beach, somehow, I’m drawn to vast landscapes and sandy beaches! Grabe.
But anlaki ng goanna!
That Mt. Bowden photograph is so serene. Ang ganda =)
Ms.Claire, laking goanna nun…
At ganda nung Orchid beach…
Oh! Envious!!!
I love to experience orchid beach, soooper nice shot up there =’)
And yes, that’s strangely bluish water, there’s peace and serenity there and just looking at it makes me shiver ( in a goooood way ) Parang naramdaman ko malamig yung tubig. Brrr.
IMY you Claire!
IMY too sis! Hope you’re doing great. Stay pretty and fab as always