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Paddling the coast of Hinchinbrook Island and camp on white sandy beaches. A true taste of paradise! The uninhabited island offers stunning views and untouched beaches.
Off the tropical coast of North Queensland between Ingham and Mission Beach lie 15 continental islands, 11 of which are National Parks surrounded by the waters and fringing reefs of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. They range from Hinchinbrook Island, 39,000 ha, the largest National Park Island in Australia to tiny Purtaboi Island situated just of the coast of renowned Dunk Island. These islands present a magnificent landscape of tropical sandy beaches, precipitous headlands, rugged mountains, waterfalls and dense rainforest, all of which offer the most spectacular backdrop for our sea kayaking adventures.
This expedition style trip will take you away from all the pressures of today's lifestyle and let you relax and enjoy nature at it’s best. As we paddle the coastline the breathtaking beauty of this island wilderness will be revealed, the lush tropical rainforest gives way to towering granite peaks, and below are countless sheltered sandy bays. 3-4 hours paddling each day allows plenty of time to explore Zoe Falls, swim in the crystal clear fresh water pool, relax and enjoy this protected pristine environment. Evenings are spent camping under the stars, enjoying some local tales from our experienced guides and a glass of wine over a delicious camp dinner.
* All prices are per person and listed in Australian Dollars (AUD). All prices shown are GST inclusive where applicable.
Our pre-trip meeting will be held at 7:00pm on the evening prior to our departure around the pool at Mission Reef Resort. Our guides will introduce themselves and discuss the planned itinerary and answer any questions you may have regarding your trip. They will also issue you with dry-bags for your personal belongings, these should be packed and ready when you are collected the following morning. Any belongings not being taken may be stored at Mission Reef Resort. Please organise your own way to Mission Reef Resort. Appon arrival, the hotel assistant will allocate you to your room.
Accommodation: Mission Reef Resort (twin share)
Meals: Welcome Thai around the pool, included. (BYO wine)
An early start is necessary, often 7.30am but will be confirmed by your guides as tidal change can affect departure times. The bus will pick you up from Mission Reef Resort this morning. We drive by bus to our departure point at Lucinda two hours south of Mission Beach. Along the way we will stop for a coffee and bit to eat. Here we pack our kayaks, practice paddling skills and safety procedures. We set off across the channel to lunch at Georges Point our rst landing site on Hinchinbrook Island. We then paddle on taking in the southern reaches of Hinchinbrook Island. Our rst night camp is at Mulligans Bay, Sunken Reef or even Zoe bay depending on wind and weather.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Beach camping
Following the coast north we pass the most easterly section of the Island, Hillock Point and into stunning Zoe Bay with the verdant backdrop of Mount Bowen (1142 meters) and the Thumb. Here we can explore the rainforest, following Zoe Creek up to the refreshing clear pools of Zoe Falls. A relaxing swim and early lunch is enjoyed before we continue along the coast where our days paddle nishes at sheltered Banksia Bay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Beach Camping
On these days we paddle past many secluded little coves and beaches hidden along the rocky coastline and on to the eight kilometre length of Ramsey Bay curving north to Cape Sandwich with Channel Rock and Eva Island just off the coast. Rounding Cape Sandwich is one of our crux moves for the trip and can involve some speci c timing regarding wind and swell. The high sand dunes and sparse vegetation of this part of the island contrast greatly with the craggy grandeur of the previous days paddling. We end our days at Blacksand Beach and Sunset Beach with a sunset drink and a hearty supper.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner x2
Accommodation: Beach Camping
Heading towards the northern point of the island we paddle across the eponymous Shepard Bay towards Cape Richards where the pandanus and casuarinas seem to defy the elements by surviving on this exposed rocky headland. After lunching on beautiful Orchid Beach we are back on the water. We paddle around the northern headland of Hinchinbrook Island and make a short crossing to Goold Island's sheltered beaches.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Beach Camping
We set off leaving Hinchinbrook and Goold Islands behind us heading north. This is our longest open water crossing to the verdant rainforest isles of the Family Island Group. These tiny islands are surrounded in fringing reef with white sandy beaches. The sheltered campground offers beautiful views back towards Hinchinbrook's lofty peaks and west to view the sunset over the mainland.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Beach Camping
Our last day on the water has a leisurely start as we leave Wheeler Island to pass Bedarra and Timana Islands, two of the eleven that make up the Family Islands. Dunk Island is the most well known of these islands and the last stop of our expedition, here we have a celebratory lunch before we paddle back to the coast. South Mission Beach is our nal destination and time to pack our gear and say goodbye with a feeling of great achievement at having experienced a very special place, which luckily has changed little with the passage of time. Meals: Breakfast, snacks and farewell lunch where your guides will say their goodbyes. Dinner at groups own cost.
Accommodation: Misson Reef Resort (twin share), included
*Please do not book your flights home on this date.
End of trip - women make their way to Cairns airport. We suggest booking an afternoon flight. This will give you time to travel from Mission Beach to Cairns. Transport from Mission Beach to Cairns - At groups own arrangement and cost. Breakfast not included.
This trip is rated as moderate and requires a basic level of prior paddling experience. You don't need to have paddlesports or sea kayaking experience. Our guides are fully qualified to instruct you in all the basic paddling strokes and are there to help teach you all the skills you need to complete the trip. Sea kayaking is not a complex skill, so most people pick it up quickly. However, you do need to have moderate fitness, be water confident, and a comfortable swimmer.
As with any outdoor adventure, the weather conditions can change quickly and there can be higher winds and swell. It is essential that participants are comfortable and confident in their kayaking abilities, as it is an all hands on deck kind of trip. When the wind is not in our favor, we may have to change our paddling plan to suit the conditions and ensure the safety and comfort of the group. So, we ask our adventurous women to be dynamic individuals regarding the flexibility that mother nature often demands in the itinerary. But, rest assured that our guides are always there to give you the best experience possible.
This trip is designed for active women with good mobility who are happy to participate in paddling, swimming, and walking. The physical activity can be up to three to five hours a day, and some days may include strenuous activity due to weather conditions. On average, we paddle 10-15km in double kayaks and carry the kayaks over sand and rocks each day. It's important to note that there will be lifting of the kayaks and carrying gear up onto beaches to set up camp.
Therefore, this trip is best suited for women who are physically fit and comfortable with the level of activity required. The trip offers a fantastic adventure through the pristine wilderness of Hinchinbrook Island, and participants can expect to be rewarded with breathtaking views and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Warning! Like most expedition sea kayak trips, the Hinchinbrook paddle is not a lake or estuary trip. It is a multi day expedition involving paddling an exposed coastline and completing crossings between islands that can be susceptible to changing sea states. Participants are sometimes required to paddle in wind and ocean swell. If you are not comfortable in ocean environments please do not sign up for this tour. Our basic requirements for all participants is they must have moderate fitness, good water confidence, good swimming ability, be comfortable at sea and have some camping experience.
Like most expedition sea kayak trips, the Hinchinbrook paddle is not a lake or estuary trip. It is a multi-day expedition involving paddling an exposed coastline and completing crossings between islands, which can be susceptible to changing sea states. Participants are sometimes required to paddle in wind and ocean swell. If you are not comfortable in ocean environments, we recommend that you do not sign up for this trip. While prior kayaking experience is not mandatory, our basic requirements for all participants include moderate fitness, good water confidence, good swimming ability, being comfortable at sea, and having some camping experience. Having prior kayaking experience is beneficial.
You don't have to be an athlete to join our sea kayaking trips; they are suitable for anyone who enjoys regular exercise. However, we do encourage a moderate level of fitness and good health, as we believe it enhances your overall enjoyment of the trip.
The island is very large, and the crocs are really on the estuarine side, far from where we paddle. Essentially estuarine crocodiles exist all through the coastal regions of Far North Queensland from Bundaberg north to Cape York, so in that regard we do paddle in what is considered croc country. Mostly crocs are isolated to mangrove estuaries and lower reaches of river systems on mainland Australia. It is incredibly uncommon and unlikely to find them out on the islands and in over 25 years with our partners in operation there have not been any encounters with crocodiles and women swim, snorkel and paddle on a daily basis. We do not paddle in high risk croc habitats and our kayak guides always do their upmost to keep customers safe and happy. The most common croc encounter we have is with the footwear variety, which makes for a great sea kayaking shoe. So don't worry be happy!
Yes, we supply a 40L personal dry bag per person for the bulk of your gear and a smaller 10-20L dry bag which you can use as a day bag and access whilst paddling.
Absolutely, many women join our trips on their own, our trips appeal to people who are looking for a new and adventurous way to experience nature. The small group sizes and the style of trip brings people together and encourages new friendships. If you are a solo traveller we can offer you a single tent and if you are an experienced kayaker a single kayak.
If you have any dietary requirements especially ones that cause an allergic reaction please make note of this on the medical questionnaire we send out with the booking forms. Our guides are accomodating and experienced at cooking for people with dietary requirements.
Yes, compact Sea to Summit sleeping mats will be provided.
Yes, before any kayak trip we run a pre-departure briefing which will allow customers to meet their kayak guides, discuss the paddle plan, disperse relevant gear and discuss any questions customers have about proceedings. Normally the pre- departure briefing is ran at 7pm the evening before the trip.
Women are welcome to park their cars at our kayak base in Mission Beach while they are out paddling in the islands.
Jill Taylor
15/07/2020
Jill Taylor Testimonial
Wonderful trip kayaking and camping. Relaxed pace. Plenty of time to look around. Lots of breaks. HEAPS to see. HEAPS of food. I took notes to try and make some of the salads back home, thank you Michelle our guide for being incredible! 🎉🎉
Lyn Murray
02/07/2019
Lyn Murray - NSW
I turned 62 this year and thought "I don't want to loose my adventure side just because I'm getting older". This trip certainly had every element of adventure. I leave feeling stronger, happier and healthier than every before. I can't get over the meals we ate! Besides the health, the kayaking was beyond words. I'm proud I did the stretch of paddle every day. I will be telling everyone about this experience as one of the best things I have ever done for myself. 10/10. Thank you!
Jenny Leon
08/07/2019
Jenny Leon - NSW
To be honest I didn't really read the itinerary and just thought "I need a holiday". This was not a holiday. It was an expedition adventure!! I can't believe I used to sit by the pool for fun! Kayaking Hinchinbrook exceeded my expectations. I loved camping on the beach and eating the yummy food. The women were all so lovely and the leaders were brilliant. I feel refreshed and so proud of myself to kayak everyday in the open ocean. One of the best things I've ever done in my life and I don't say that lightly!" THANK YOU! x
Debbie Mastello
17/07/2018
Debbie Mastello - QLD
The BEST! I had never camped on the beach or sea kayaked before. I was hesitant at first, but the ladies and leaders made me feel so welcome. Everything was professional and the food was incredible. I don't know how they cook up better meals on the beach than in my own kitchen! I feel like This was truly an adventure and I recommend it to everyone!© Copyright 2024 Women Want Adventure. All rights reserved.
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