Macushla to Cape Richards

Starting from South Macushla Campsite, Hinchinbrook Island, this walk takes you to Cape Richards and back. The area hosts orange-footed scrub fowls and different rainforest pigeons, which makes it suitable for birdwatching enthusiasts. Additionally, you can enjoy the tranquillity as you step on the track and see the open beach views. After you have a peaceful walk along the coastline, arrive at Cape Richards and enjoy the pristine beach, where it is possible to fish, swim and surf with calm tides. You might want to take plenty of water as there is not a lot of shade along the track. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-18.2278101,146.219877)
Mode	Special (You can access the starting point via a private vessel (a boat or a kayak).)
Finish	(-18.1942016,146.223417)
Mode (end)	Special (You can access the starting point via a private vessel (a boat or a kayak).)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along North Shepherd Bay Track a.k.a. Macushla to Cape Richards. Find the South Macushla at the start. Campsite managed byParks and Wildlife Service. There is a fee to use this campsite. Then pass the toilet (30 m on your right). After another 40 m pass the picnic table (20 m on your right). After another 510 m come to the "North Macushla" (10 m on your right). Campsite managed byParks and Wildlife Service. There is a fee to use this campsite. After another 40 m pass the toilet (9 m on your right).
	After another 830 m (at the intersection of North Shepherd Bay Track a.k.a. Macushla to Cape Richards & South Shepard Bay Track) veer left, to head along North Shepherd Bay Track a.k.a. Macushla to Cape Richards.
	After another 3.8 km turn right, to head along North Shepherd Bay Track a.k.a. Macushla to Cape Richards.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This side trip takes you to another viewpoint that offers you panoramic views to the east, visiting Orchid Beach along the way. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 80 m turn left. After another 210 m come to a viewpoint.
	The end.

This side trip takes you to another viewpoint that offers you panoramic views to the east, visiting Orchid Beach along the way.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along North Shepherd Bay Track a.k.a. Macushla to Cape Richards. After another 630 m continue straight, to head along North Shepherd Bay Track a.k.a. Macushla to Cape Richards.
	After another 40 m come to a viewpoint. The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 670 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Macushla to Cape Richards

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	5.6 km
Time	1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (2/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.9 km apart with the largest gap of 5 km.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.9 km apart with the largest gap of 5 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	50 m	[toilet]
Camp site	65 m	South Macushla
Camp site	600 m	North Macushla
Toilet	640 m	[toilet]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Cardwell Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Thursday 5 December
  
  28°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm inland. Winds easterly 15 to 25 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures 25 to 31.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:00am to 4:10pm, UV Index predicted to reach 14 [Extreme]
  
  Friday 6 December
  
  24°C → 29°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  6 → 45mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds easterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 25 to 33.
  
  Saturday 7 December
  
  24°C → 30°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 20mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 26 to 33.
  
  Sunday 8 December
  
  25°C → 32°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the north. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 28 to 34.
  
  Monday 9 December
  
  24°C → 33°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Tuesday 10 December
  
  24°C → 32°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Wednesday 11 December
  
  24°C → 32°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Hinchinbrook Island National Park alerts
  Heavy Rainfall and Flash Flooding
  Please be advised that due to heavy rainfall around Hinchinbrook Island National Park flash flooding may occur along the Thorsborne Trail and at the campsites. Affected parks: Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park; Hinchinbrook Island National Park
  George Point toilet removed due to erosion (update 16 Oct)
  George Point camping area on the southern coastline of Hinchinbrook Island National Park has been affected by severe erosion due to ongoing high tides over the past several years. Affected parks: Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park; Hinchinbrook Island National Park
  Challenging summer hiking conditions
  Hiking the Thorsborne Trail is considerably challenging during the summer months between October to March. Affected parks: Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park; Hinchinbrook Island National Park
  Thorsborne Trail seasonal closure
  The Thorsborne Trail will be closed from 1 January - 28 February due to the high risk of unsafe conditions over this period. Affected parks: Hinchinbrook Island National Park; Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island National Park
  
  Alert kindly provided by © Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service

Weather Forecast

Alerts