Walk the Ngaro Track & Discover the Whitsundays
The Ngaro Track is a 32km journey across Whitsunday Island, offering a rare chance to experience the Great Barrier Reef on a multi-day walk. Created in partnership with the Ngaro People, Traditional Owners of this land and sea Country, it reveals unique perspectives of this iconic Australian island that only walkers will ever see.
What you’re booking: access to the one-way 32km, 3-day / 2-night Ngaro Track – an independent walk from South Whitehaven Beach to Tongue Point, with exclusive overnight stays at purpose-built island camps available only to Ngaro Track walkers. Numbers are limited each day to preserve the quiet, low-impact experience. You’ll carry your own gear and move respectfully through Country.
This is more than a hike; it’s a shared privilege. Step lightly, listen deeply, and let the story of the Ngaro Track guide your Whitsunday experience.
Photo Supplied by World Expeditions, Photographer Matt Horspool
Plan Your Ngaro Track Walk
This is an independent walk. Transfers and Permission for walk access is purchased separately.
The Walk
A 3-day / 2-night remote wilderness hike over the 32km Ngaro Track.
Daily distances: 8-12km
Gradeing: Moderate to challenging terrain
Maximum elevation: 353m at Whitsunday Craig
Direction: South to North (Whitehaven Beach to Tongue Point)
Best season: April to October (drier, cooler months)
Booking Your Transfers
For guests requiring both departure and return transfers, we recommend selecting the Ngaro Track Combo Package, which allows you to book both transfers together and receive the package discount.
If you only require a one-way transfer, or wish to book your departure and return separately, you can select the individual Departure Transfer and Return Transfer options.
What to Expect
3-day Hike
Day 1
Whitehaven Beach to Camp 1 – Bowarri yamba (Moon Camp)
8.7 km 5 hours Grade 3/4
Arrive by boat at the southern end of Whitehaven Beach, with an option to visit the Whitehaven Beach lookout. Continue along the shared track to Chance Bay to the begin the Ngaro track. The trailhead is located 100m beyond the Chance Bay camping area and offers informative signs, seating and photo opportunities. Along the way you will pass Theos point and Bari dhili (Rock eye) viewpoints offering photo opportunities and Ngaro family art installation posts.
Finish at Camp site 1 – Bowarri yamba (Moon camp), perched atop an imposing ridgeline overlooking picturesque Silica Bay.
Key Features
- Whitehaven Beach Lookout
- Chance Bay
- Bari Dhili viewpoint
Day 2
To Camp 2 – Dhula yamba (Tree Camp)
10.8 km 7 hours Grade 4/5
Day 2 begins from Bowarri yamba (Moon Camp), with the trail climbing steadily toward Whitsunday Craig, reaching 353 metres above sea level. Ladders and stairs guide you to the summit, where sweeping views over isolated island bluffs and headlands make the effort worthwhile. Pause at Lower Craig and Crayfish Bay for photo-worthy lookouts and to reflect on Ngaro family art installations that share cultural storylines.
The day ends at Dhula yamba (Tree Camp), nestled in the peaceful beach surrounds of Torres Herald Bay.
Key Features
- Whitsunday Craig summit (353m)
- Chest Eye viewpoint
- Crayfish Bay
Day 3
To Tongue Bay
12.8 km 8 hours Grade 4/5
Day 3 sets off from Dhula yamba (Tree Camp), beginning with a walk through the Whitsundays’ only mangrove boardwalk and past the tranquil Gumi (Ponds) wetland. Along the way, enjoy views from Murmuri bari (Round Rock) and Upper Inlet, both home to cultural art installations and scenic photo stops.
Mark your achievement at the Ngaro track photo post, before reaching the spectacular Hill Inlet lookouts, where the swirling sands of Whitehaven Beach unfold below. The journey ends with a boat departure from Tongue Bay, completing your walk through Ngaro Country.
Key Features
- Mangrove boardwalk
- Gumi (Ponds) wetlands
- Murmuru bari (Round Rock) viewpoint
- Hill Inlet Lookouts
Essential Items
These items are mandatory for all hikers
- Water (minimum 3L per day)
- Tent & sleeping gear
- Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
- First aid kit
- Trowel for waste disposal – always try to use toilets at camp sites when possible
- Food for entire trip
- Insect repellent
Recommended Extras
Additional items for comfort and safety
- Fuel stove & cooking equipment
- Spare clothes & rain gear
- Solar charger or power bank
- GPS device & map
- Headlamp with extra batteries
Track Conditions
Marine transfer schedules are dependent on tides and weather and may change without notice. Walkers must be flexible and self-sufficient in the event of delays or cancellations.
Emergency communication essential
Good fitness level required
Check weather conditions before departure. Remember to check for current Park Alerts to make sure you’re aware of important safety information.
For more information on track please visit – Plan Your Ngaro Track Walk
Questions you may have -
Can I do a day trip on the Ngaro Sea Trail?
No, the Ngaro Sea Trail is not open for day walks. The trail has been designed and approved as a multi-day walking experience only, with access managed through either independent walker permits or guided trips.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), along with permitted marine operators such as Scamper, undertake compliance activities to ensure these access conditions are respected. This approach helps protect the island’s fragile environment, respects Ngaro Country, and ensures visitor safety in what is a remote area.
Can we head out a day or two earlier before accessing the trail?
Yes, this is possible. You can travel out on one of our scheduled camping transfers to Whitehaven Beach and camp for a night or two prior to starting the trail.
Please note that access to the Ngaro Sea Trail itself is only permitted on your approved dates, and campsites must be booked accordingly. You cannot access the trail earlier than your permitted start date, as campsites may already be allocated to other walkers.
What is the Ngaro Track?
The Ngaro Track is Queensland’s newest 32km multi-day hike connecting the white sands of Whitehaven Beach to the iconic swirls of Hill inlet on Whitsunday Island, part of Whitsunday Islands National Park. The challenging 3-day, 2-night hike explores the diverse landscapes of Whitsunday Island featuring rainforest, palm groves, spectacular stands of grass trees and hillsides dominated by hoop pines.
Unique custom-built campsites, Bowarri yamba (Moon Camp) and Dhula yamba (Tree Camp), offer communal gathering areas with bespoke low-impact infrastructure and sweeping views over secluded bays.
Accessible only by boat, the experience is set in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and was developed in close collaboration with the Ngaro people. The rich Ngaro history is woven into the track through art installations and interpretation points.
Walkers can choose their own level of adventure on the Ngaro Track – walk in comfort on a fully-guided and catered experience; join an expedition-style tour on a Ngaro Track full-pack guided hike or be self-sufficient as an independent walker.