Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge is the perfect base to experience all that this pristine wilderness has to offer. Take a day cruise through the mangrove everglades or the outer Great Barrier Reef, go snorkeling, take a walk through virgin rainforest to isolated ocean beaches or fish the world-renowned waters for the much sought-after sport fish.
Or just lay back and choose the ideal spot overlooking the beautiful sandy beach for your hammock, capture the sunset, observe graceful herons, and cruising sea turtles or maybe catch a glimpse of the extraordinary dugong, or just watch as time goes by.
Step into your own private world. Don’t lift a finger, unless it’s to indicate which of the menu selections tempts you the most because, as you’d expect, the food is as unforgettable as the island.
Be warned, this is not the place to come if you are looking for one of those extreme full-on holidays riding jetskis, paraflying, waterskiing, and loud nightclubs. But if you want first-class accommodation and service in a splendid tropical wilderness then you owe it to yourself to experience Hinchinbrook Island.
Children are more than welcome, however, in keeping with the nature of the Lodge, there are no child-minding facilities or scheduled kids activities. Let them enjoy all the natural activities with you … a truly enjoyable, relaxed educational experience!
The Bar – The Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge bar is open from 10.00 am to 12 midnight, offering a wide selection of beers, Australian wines, champagnes, spirits, cocktails, and soft drinks. Tea and Coffee – Everything you need is right here in your cabin. We restock items daily, however, if you require more, please let us know and we’ll be happy to oblige. Laundry – Laundry facilities are located at the end of the boardwalk. Washing powder is supplied. Library– Our lending library of novels, books, and journals are available for your convenience. Playing cards and other games such as backgammon, chess, and scrabble are also available. Fishing Lines – Lines, hooks, sinkers, and bait are available. Meals – All meals are served in the main dining room.
- Fast Island Transfers
- Licensed Restaurant
- Individual Tree Houses
- Queen Sized Beds
- Guest Laundry
- Guided Bushwalks
- Fishing Excursions
- Reading Room with games, TV, and DVD
- Swimming Pool
- Canoes & Surf Skis
- Beach Hammocks
- Snorkeling Gear
- Guided Snorkelling Tours
- Island Shop & Library
Accommodation Information:
The Lodge
The main Lodge is beautifully designed to take advantage of the tropical ambiance. It is the center for all activities, containing as it does, the reception, spacious restaurant area, lounge, and bar. In keeping with the landscape, it is an architecturally designed open-plan timber pole construction in the islander style. Being open to the surrounding rainforest gardens and overlooking the large inground pool, the lodge invites you to be a part of this wonderful environment. To be expected, the restaurant caters to discerning tastes. In-house chefs prepare the finest cuisine which is topped off by a large dose of friendly Australian service.
If your day’s itinerary means that you will be away from the resort for lunch, delicious packaged lunch hampers are available for your convenience.
The Tree Houses
Your accommodation is in spacious, modern, architecturally designed timber Tree Houses nestled in the rainforest and connected by a winding timber boardwalk. Tastefully designed to make the most of the breathtaking views, cool ocean breezes, and surrounding rainforest, while ensuring your desired privacy. The warmth and ambiance of the natural timber construction are enhanced by the elegant tropical furnishings. Natural light, cooling breezes, and entrancing views flood through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Each Tree House has its own timber patio, fridge, coffee/tea making facilities, lounge room, and bathroom and is serviced daily. For your convenience, we have a DVD and TV in the guest lounge, but to maximize your holiday in splendid isolation the tree houses are not equipped with telephones or televisions.
Self-Contained Beach Cabins
The 7 self-contained Cabins are separately located and are older-style accommodation units located behind the beach. The daily rate does not include meals or the daily service. Linen is provided. The cabins have basic cooking facilities: mini fridge, electric jug, electric fry pan, toaster, microwave, and sink. There is also a free-of-charge BBQ a small walk away.
For self-catering you should bring your own food supplies or alternatively, subject to 24 hours notice, you can order supplies from Cardwell and we will collect them on your behalf, a 15% surcharge on the value of goods applies for pick-up, and ferry delivery. Meals are available from our licensed restaurant if you prefer – bookings are essential.
Location Information:
Australia’s largest island National Park, Hinchinbrook Island, is separated from the mainland by the deep, narrow, mangrove-fringed Hinchinbrook Channel, scoured from sand and mud by strong tidal currents. Rising to 1142 meters in the center of the island are the jagged battlements of Mt Bowen, the largest in the chain of rugged granite crags forming the backbone of the island’s southern half.
To the northwest, a range of lesser peaks of older volcanic rocks, similar in chemistry but finer-grained than the granite, forms an undulating skyline descending to the sandy beach of Hecate Point, 4 km across the channel from Cardwell.
The spectacular north face of Mt Bowen drops 1121 m in cliffs and forested scree slopes almost to sea level. From here a narrow, 8 km long strip of sand, stretches north to connect with Capes Sandwich and Richards, where the Wilderness Lodge is sited.
The island is approximately 37.4km. long and 10km. wide. Including the main beach at the resort, there are 11 beautiful sandy beaches. You can enjoy absolute seclusion on several of them including North Shepherd, Macushla, and South Shepherd. The National Park covers 39,300 hectares.
For the energetic visitor, walking is fairly easy through the light bush sections of the park and with very little luck the walker will observe the abundant bird life for which the island is renowned. There are Herons, Cockatoos, Pheasants, Scrub Hens, Sunbirds, and Torres Strait and Wompoo Pigeons.
At the very northern end of Orchid Beach, access is made to the lookout on Cape Richards, the best vantage point for sunsets, dolphins, and the neighboring islands. To the southern end of the beach, a short walk leads to Turtle Bay where most afternoons large sea turtles feed on marine grasses and Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge.
