Hinchinbrook Island National Park, Nature reserve in Cassowary Coast, Australia

Hinchinbrook Island National Park covers 393 km² of Hinchinbrook Island, Australia's largest island national park, separated from the mainland by the Hinchinbrook Channel. Its mountainous interior holds Mount Bowen (1,121 m), The Thumb (981 m), Mount Diamantina (953 m) and Mount Straloch (922 m). The west side slopes gently into mangroves, while the east has rocky headlands and sandy bays.

The Bandjin people lived on the island for thousands of years before European arrival, leaving stone fish traps and shell middens that can still be found across it. The national park was established on 22 September 2000, covering 393 km² of Hinchinbrook Island. The island's wilderness lodge closed in 2010 during the Great Recession and was destroyed by Cyclone Yasi shortly after.

The island lies within the traditional country of the Bandjin people, who lived here for thousands of years before European arrival. They left stone fish traps and shell middens that can still be found across the island. The Thorsborne Trail is named after naturalists Margaret and Arthur Thorsborne.

The main hiking route is the Thorsborne Trail along the eastern coast, a multi-day walk that requires advance permission and good fitness. You should expect remote terrain, river and tidal crossings, and tropical heat and humidity throughout your visit.

The remains of an old wilderness lodge still stand on the island, closed in 2010 and later destroyed by a cyclone. These ruins are a reminder of how nature can reclaim spaces humans try to build in remote places.