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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
Embark on an unforgettable Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey along Queensland’s spectacular Hinchinbrook Island. Trek the renowned Thorsborne Trail, which follows the island’s east coast across rugged mountains, pristine beaches and lush rainforest. With strictly limited numbers permitted on the trail, this remote experience allows students to properly disconnect from everyday life and connect with nature and each other, free from vehicles, shops and crowds. The journey takes you from camp to camp, staying in wilderness campsites set beside beautiful beaches, viewpoints and waterfalls. It is an exceptional opportunity to build outdoor skills, teamwork and personal resilience through shared challenge. This trip can be adapted to suit your requirements including the level of self-catering students do and what specialist equipment students need to source.
Countries:
Starting Point:
Townsville
Activities:
Grading:Moderate
Addressing:
15kg of CO2-e PP per day
(74kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive in Townsville and transfer to Lucinda for briefing and hike preparation
Today is the day we've been waiting for! On arrival to Townsville airport, we meet our guides and transfer to Lucinda - the town that serves as the gateway to Hinchenbrook Island. Once settled into our accommodation we have our trip briefing to learn all about the plan for the week before doing our last preparations. This is the chance to check our own gear, distribute group gear amongst our packs, and get any last minute supplies. There’s a mix of excitement and nerves as we prepare to step away from everyday comforts and take on the challenge ahead. If we have time, we will have a stroll around town or to the beach, before tucking in for an early night and good night's rest. Accommodation: Lucinda Hotel
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Boat transfer to Hinchinbrook Island & begin Thorsborne Trail
It's our first hiking day! We wake and make sure we fuel up with a good breakfast. A 1-hour boat ride takes us to Ramsay Bay on Hinchinbrook Island - the northern trailhead. After a last gear check and pack fitting, we begin hiking along the Thorsborne Trail. Immediately we find ourselves in a striking and remote landscape. We push through the first part of the day getting accustomed to the pack on our backs while taking in the coastal scenery around us. We're not pushing the pace, and we have plenty of time to cover the 6.5kms needed today which enables us to settle into the routine of walking, resting, and working together as a group. Arriving at our first campsite in the afternoon feels like a genuine achievement and we happily remove our packs for the day. It’s time to relax and then enjoy an al fresco dinner from the comfort and beauty of our beach side campsite. Accommodation: Camping at Little Ramsay Bay Time on trail: 3 hours | Distance: 6.5 km
Day 3
Hike from Little Ramsay Bay to Zoe Bay
We wake to the sounds of waves and rainforest birds at our beachside campsite. It's our first full day on trail, and the sense of remoteness has well and truly set in. Today’s hike from Little Ramsay Bay to Zoe Bay is one of the most varied and rewarding days on Hinchinbrook Island, demanding resilience and teamwork. The trail weaves across rocky headlands, through mangrove creeks, and into shaded rainforest, offering constant changes in scenery and terrain. As the day unfolds, anticipation builds for the highlight of the journey — Zoe Falls. After our big hiking day we emerge from the forest to be welcomed by the beautiful waterfall and swimming hole. The afternoon is spent cooling off at the falls, setting up camp, and relaxing our tired but happily-content bodies. Accommodation: Camping at Zoe Bay Walking Time: 5-6 hours | Distance: 10.5 km
Day 4
Hike from Zoe Bay to Mulligan falls
Today’s walk takes us inland into dense rainforest, where the trail becomes more enclosed and rugged. We start early to beat the heat as we walk across varied terrain, including sandy sections, grassy forest, rocky tracks and a few short but steady climbs that lead to some amazing vistas. Multiple creek crossings provide some interest and force us to work together to ensure careful and safe crossings. This stretch of the trail challenges resilience and problem-solving while showcasing a strikingly different side of Hinchinbrook Island. Today's effort is rewarded with a spectacular finish at Mulligan Falls with its shaded freshwater pool — the perfect place to cool off and have some fun together. By now we are used to setting up camp, eating outside, and sleeping under the stars. And that's exactly how the afternoon and evening plays out. Accommodation: Camping at Mulligan Falls Walking Time: 4-5 hours | Distance: 7.5 km
Day 5
Hike from Mulligan Falls to George Point, transfer to Townsville & celebration dinner
We take on our final day of hiking with a clear sense of purpose and excitement, knowing we are close to completing our goal and reaching the end of trail. The coastal scenery spurs us on and provides a fitting backdrop to reflect on the journey so far and all we've achieved - both individually and as a group. Our walk today is easier featuring a descent through rainforest, mangrove areas, and a stretch of sandy beach walking along Mulligan Bay. At the end of the bay we find our finishing point - George Point at the southern end of Hinchinbrook Island. Reaching the trailhead is a fantastic feeling. We remove our packs for the last time and relax with a sense of proud accomplishment. Accommodation: Lucinda Hotel Walking Time: 3-4 hours | Distance: 7.5 km
Day 6
Transfer to Townsville Airport and depart for home
After our celebration night, we wake feeling well-rested and enjoy a relaxed breakfast as the trip winds down. We transfer to Townsville Airport - tired yet energised and buzzing after such an amazing week. There are many moments of shared stories, laughter, and memories of persistence that defined the journey. As we board our plane, we carry away a strong sense of achievement, a clearer understanding of our own capabilities, and friendships strengthened by navigating both demanding days and unforgettable highlights together.
Good Health And Well-being: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development.
Quality Education: Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development.
Responsible Production and Consumption: Responsible Production and Consumption
Climate Action: Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.
Life On Land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.The programs are designed to:• Build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet. • Increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.• Discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.• Give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.
What's included
What's not included
This trek involves walking 4-7 hours each day (with breaks) over rugged terrain with some steep ascents and descents. The trail is made up of sections graded 4 - 5.
Unformed track, likely to be very rough, very steep and unmarked.
This adventure involves up to 8 hours a day on the trail which includes walking, breaks, and time for photos! You will need a good level of fitness and must be in good health. You carry a full pack (approx 14-18kg) on each day. Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions. Walks can be steep in sections. Ideally you will have experience doing day hikes and preferably a multi-day hike.
Per Person, Twin Share
A majority of the terrain on Hinchinbrook Island is rough and rocky, particularly on high ground, in gorges, creek and river beds. The ground is often distorted with embedded or loose rock depending on the trail variations. There may be loose roots in the rainforest sections.
There are no showers on the island, however there are freshwater creeks where you can have a quick refreshing dip. However, for a real cleanse we recommend you bring baby wipes (remember to take them out with you as well!).
You will need a good level of fitness for this trek. You need to be capable and prepared to spend 5-7 hours each day trekking, with plenty of breaks, over rugged terrain with some steep ascents and descents.
A suitable hiking shoe is important - a trail running shoe or hiking boot that has been worn in. The terrain on this trek is rugged, and for your comfort, you must have comfortable shoes with very good grip. There are lots of rocky, uneven and unstable sections, so ankle support will be beneficial.
For your expedition you will need to carry all equipment in a medium trekking backpack. Depending on the quantity of personal gear and toiletries the average pack weight will be approximately 12-15kg.
Hiking poles can definitely assist you with going up and down the inclines and for stability. If you have not used them previously, we recommend that you do some training with them before you head out on the hike.
Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.
Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.
Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.
Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.
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Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.