WALLAMAN FALLS
Wallaman Falls is Australia's largest single drop waterfall, is a breathtaking sight which can often be viewed through a rainbow-fringed cloud of mist early in the morning. Located 52kms West of Ingham, travellers can drive up to the summit of the Falls - but take care to avoid native Cassowaries and their chicks are often sighted wandering along the rainforest road.
With a great hike to to bottom of the falls, available camping, gas BBQ's and a shower on the site - Wallaman Falls is a must see destination to any traveller visiting the Hinchinbrook region.
BROADWATER STATE FOREST
Broadwater State Forest is a popular camping, picnic and bird watching location within Hinchinbrook Shire. With facilities including gas BBQ's and on-site showers the main drawcard to this popular location is the 1.6km naturewalk littered with interpretive signs and culminating in the Giant Fig Tree. Located 45km West of Ingham, Broadwater State Forest can be accessed via a combination of sealed and unsealed roads, so care is needed when driving.
JOURAMA FALLS
Jourama Falls, located just 24kms South of Ingham and 6km off the Bruce Highway has a terrace of cascading waterfalls and secluded freshwater swimming holes. Known as being an excellent spot for birdwatching , Jourama Falls has a 1.5km walk to the falls lookout great for the family to enjoy.
HINCHINBROOK ISLAND AND CHANNEL
Hinchinbrook Island is the world's largest island National Park. It has a myriad of natural vegetation such as lush rainforest, extensive eucalypt forest, melaleuca swaps and mountain rock pavements. The island is surrounded by an array of marine habitats in which sea life such as dugongs and green sea turtles can be found to frequent. A variety of tours can be organised from Lucinda which is the Southern access to the island and channel.
FISHING
The Hinchinbrook region offers a range of freshwater, estuary and bluewater fishing to cater for every angler's taste. Freshwater fishing enthusiasts will find themselves floating down the Herbert River to possible reel in Sooty Grunter, Tarpon, Barramundi and sometimes the elusive Jungle Perch. Those with a penchant for estuary fishing will awe at the beauty of fishing 365 days per year against the spectacular Hinchinbrook Island National Park backdrop and may be lucky enough to scoop up some Fingermark, Barramundi, Javelin Fish, Salmon, Mangrove Jack, Estuary Cod, Bream or Flathead and if you've got the crab pots handy, the mudcrab are plentiful! Anglers who like bluewater fishing the Palm Isalnd group offers excellent sport with pelagic and reef species such as Billfish, Coral Trout, Red Emporer, Nanygai, Sweetlip and Crayfish among some of the many fish caught in the area. (Please note: seasonal closures do apply).
With several world records and numerous Australia national Sportfishing Association records claimed from the Hinchinbrook area, it is most definitely an anglers paradise!!
LUCINDA
Lucinda is one of the best fishing spots in Queensland. Known for being the closest mainland connection to Hinchinbrook Island and the closest access point to the renowned Hinchinbrook Channel where you can be taken on a conducted safari or take part in fishing tour to catch the world famous Barramundi, Lucinda is a great place for all the family to enjoy themselves. Lucinda is serviced with it's very own Hotel/Motel, Holiday Caravan Park and Self-contained units and has a number of small shops available for essential items.
HALIFAX
Halifax, a quiet village on the way to Lucinda is a township steeped in historical value. Once constituted in the 1930's as one of the main 'stepping-off' places for all boating and fishing trips to the Hinchinbrook Channel and Hinchinbrook's industrial centre, today it is a place to enjoy the quiet country life without missing out on the services of a main town. Halifax has a number of old historical buildings, constructed when the township was first established such as The Halifax Hotel and the Commercial Hotel which continue to this day, to provide meals and accommodation for visitors to the region. Centred around the leafy, mango tree lined main street, Halifax meshes the historu of Hinchinbrook Shire with modern amentities such as a newsagency, post office, butchery, convenience store and hotel accommodation.
Halifax is also home to the Herbert River Museum - a treasure trove of historical artifacts and displays which depict the Valley's intriguing history. Situated in Macrossan Street, the Herbert River Museum is open for all the family and entry by donation.
FORREST BEACH
Looking for a relaxing place to visit when you need to escape the hustle and bustle? Then Forrest Beach is the place to be! With long sandy beaches overlooking Orpheus and the Palm island group, a stinger net open for protection during the summer months and serviced with its own Hotel/Motel, Caravan Park including self-contained units, Medical Centre and Newsagent/Post office and store for essential items, Forrest Beach has everything to cater for the next family getaway.
TAYLORS BEACH
Taylors beach is the central beach within the Hinchinbrook Shire, located between Forrest Beach and Lucinda. With the island and fringing reefs so close, Taylors beach is a popular fishing destination for many. Taylors Beach has its own stinger net open for protection during the summer months and is serviced by a Hotel/Motel, Caravan Park including self-contained units and store for essential items.
WET TROPICS GREAT WALK
For adventurous hikers and nature enthusiasts, a system of walks has been developed in the Herbert Valley hinterland, aimed at showcasing the areas rich natural diversity, unique landforms, flora and fauna. The 110km Wet Tropics Great Walk system takes hikers through rainforest, heathland, eucalypt forest and the woodlands of Giffungun National Park. It traverses Wet Tropics World Heritage Area from the spectacular Wallaman Falls all the way to Blencoe Falls. With an entire trek that can take up to eight days to complete and highlights including waterfalls, river gorges and the opportunity to spot fascinating and endangered wildlife, the Wet Tropics Great Walk is great for those walkers with a high level of fitness.
MUNGALLA STATION
Located 15km East of Ingham along Forrest Beach Road, Mungalla Station is a historic property which offers visitors the chance to explore the rich history of the site as the birthplace of Droughtmaster cattle and a safe haven for the traditional Nywaigi Aboriginal people. Take a tour of the property and learn about the "Captive Lives Story", throw a boomerang or ride a horse drawn wagon.
MEMORIAL GARDENS
The memorial gardens (also known as Botanical Gardens) are withing walking distance from the main street and are an ideal place to have a picnic lunch. With an extensive variety of North Queensland tropic vegetation, which include a pond and water lilies. You can spy turtles and small fish swimming amongst the murky depths, or take a stroll and view the numerous memorials and tributes.
INGHAM CEMETERY
Just a five minute drive from the centre of town, the Ingham Cemetery is a fascinating place to visit and depicts the strong Mediterranean influences with a mangificent display of mausoleums, unique crypts and chapels.
The older mausoleums are constructed of traditional materials of white plaster and marble with gothic style windows and foors, while the more the recent structures commonly have a flat-roof with parapet surrounds and finished with terrazzo and tiles.
TREBONNE POST OFFICE
The historic Trebonne Post Office has been operating for almost 100 years and is still a functioning private post box collection point to this day. With the appearance of being held together by 'two rusty nails' the Trebonne Post Office is a local hotspot for wedding photographers and well worth a look.
THE AUSTRALIAN-ITALIAN FESTIVAL
Celebrated annually, the Australian-Italian Festival is a fantastic event which celebrates the cultural attributes of Italian migrants and descendant's in Australia. Some of the many attractions that can be seen at the festival include Mama's Cucina, Pino's Osteria, Market Stalls, Spaghetti Eating Challenge and the Great Italian Bake-Off.
Magiamo, Giochiamo e Amore - Eat, Play and Love at the Australian-Italian Festival!
THE MARAKA FESTIVAL
As the Hinchinbrook's longest running festival, Maraka has been running for over 50 years. Held over the last two weeks in October, the annual festival is crammed full of activities with the highlight being the Mardi Gras held in Rotary Park. Other events include, Arts & Crafts Showcase, Gala Ball, Spot-the-Window Competition, Best Dressed Business House, Pet Parade and Fence Painting.
A procession on the final day sets the scene for the Mardi Gras which features a concert, food stalls, rides and the crowning of the Maraka Queen.
