Hinchinbrook Island rises dramatically from the Coral Sea, its granite peaks draped in rainforest and its western shore separated from the mainland by a shallow mangrove channel. At 393 km² it is the largest island national park in the world, entirely free of permanent settlement and development, accessible only by boat from Cardwell or Lucinda.
The island has two distinct personalities: the western shore, facing the mainland, is sheltered mangrove and calm water — good for kayaking and estuarine fishing; the eastern shore, facing the open Coral Sea, is wild beach, boulder headlands, and crashing surf. The Thorsborne Trail runs along the eastern coast.
Day trips to the island are available from Cardwell by water taxi. The most popular are to Ramsay Bay at the northern tip — a long beach with good snorkelling — and to the mangrove waterways on the western side. Kayak hire is available in Cardwell.