On trek to find island treasure
ARE you itching for an outdoor adventure? Well, you’re in luck.
Far North Queensland offers some of the best bushwalking opportunities in the world and the Cairns Post has put together a Best Bushwalks series for the school holidays.
The first trek in the fivepart series is the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island.
So, lace up your boots, fill up your water bottle and get ready to hit the trails.
The Thorsborne Trail is regarded as one of the best long distance hikes in Australia, if not the world.
The 35km hike follows the eastern coastline of Hinchinbrook Island, off the coast of Cardwell.
Hinchinbrook is Australia’s largest island national park, and the experience of hiking the Thorsborne is akin to discovering a lost world, with pristine rainforest, waterfalls, remote beaches, grasslands and open eucalypt forests to traverse.
The hike can be done in as little as two days, but if you really want to experience the Thorsborne in all of its glory, take more time and do the trail in four nights.
That way you can pace yourself and can afford the energy to check out of the many detours, such as Nina Peak and Sunken Reef Bay.
There are seven different campsites along the trail, each one somewhere special.
There is very spartan facilities on the island, so at the most you will find a long-drop toilet at most campsites, and steel boxes where you can lock away your backpacks and food, to prevent them from being feasted upon by native bush rats. And yes, the rats even chew through material.
While most people hike the trail from north to south, the opposite direction can be more challenging, but gives you more rewarding campsites towards the tail end of your trip.
This way, you get to spend your first night camped under Mulligan Falls, and your last night on a sandy beach at Ramsay Bay.
The island is accessible via ferry at either Cardwell or Lucinda, depending on where you want to be dropped off and picked up.
Make sure you pack enough food for your time on the island, plus an extra day.
And don’t stress about carrying too much water as you can refill bottles in crystal clear creeks along the hike.
LEGO
Get ready for some fun with LEGO at Gordonvale Library, then write a story to go along with your creation, for ages 6 and up, on Wednesday, April 4, 10.3011.30am. Bookings essential, ph: 4044 3778.
MINI GAMES
Show your team spirit at Earlville Library and enjoy a morning full of fun, games and prizes. Wednesday, April 4, 10.3011.30am. Bookings essential, ph: 4044 3766.
CHALK IT UP
Get creative and help transform the sidewalk in front of Stratford library into a colourful art display. Wednesday, April 4, 10.3011.30am. Bookings essential, ph: 4044 3733.
CARD MAKING
Enjoy a card-making craft session at Edmonton Library on Thursday, April 5, from 10.30am11.30am, for children aged 7+. Bookings essential, ph: 4044 3735.
BAT CHATS
Take an informal guided tour of the vulnerable spectacled flying fox roost outside Cairns City Library and vicinity. People will learn about how the spectacled flying fox is a keystone species, which has a vital role in seed dispersal and pollination around
YOUNG CREATIVES CLUB
Work on and share art projects with like-minded students while learning about contemporary art, design, multimedia, photography and music. Hosted by Cairns artist Hayley Gillespie (pictured). Saturday, April 7, 3-5pm, Cairns Art Gallery. Ph: 4046 4800 or email: marian.w@ cairnsartgallery.com.au
STOP-MOTION ANIMATION WORKSHOP
Learn to make your own movie animations using Stop-Motion Studio at Manunda Library on Monday, April 9, from 10.30am to noon. A fun and interactive workshop exploring the creative process of stop animation filmmaking and simple storytelling using digital technologies. For children aged 13 and over. Registration essential, ph: 4044 3779.
OZOBOTS FOR BEGINNERS
Empower your child to become a maker of technology. For ages 6and-up, Gordonvale Library, Wednesday, April 11, from 10.30am to 11.30am. Bookings essential, ph: 4044 3778.
CYCLING GAMES
Free games-based skill session, social group ride, fun and giveaways for ages 12-25. Wednesday, April 11, from 9am to 2pm. Walker Road Sporting Precinct, soccer ground car park, 10-12 Walker Rd, Edmonton. Registration essential, visit: trybooking.com/ULSQ
KULTURE FESTIVAL
Cultural performances, delicious food, music and art workshops, hosted by Wuchopperen Health Service, 6 Moignard St, Manoora. Wednesday, April 11, 4-7pm.