Australian Traveller was among the first to join the Ngaro Track Walk in Comfort, a 32-kilometre, three-day island walk that connects Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and rainforest trails on Whitsunday Island.
Australia’s multi-day hiking scene is going gangbusters, with trails opening everywhere from Uluru to the Coffs Coast. The latest is the Ngaro Track, a 32-kilometre trek across Queensland’s idyllic Whitsunday Island opened in May 2026. Self-sufficient hikers can tackle this three-day route independently, but I’m here to vouch for the Ngaro Track Walk in Comfort, a supported guided hike with World Expeditions, the track’s exclusive commercial operator.
The track from above. (Credit: Matt Horspool)
Taking walkers deep into the largest island in the Whitsundays, the Ngaro Track offers a chance to slow down and connect with nature and the stories of the island’s Ngaro Traditional Custodians. The Ngaro Track Walk in Comfort allows walkers to carry a lighter pack so you can focus on enjoying the mesmerising scenery and soaking up the knowledge of your expert guides.
What to expect on the Ngaro Track
The hike will take you from beach to rainforest. (Credit: Matt Horspool)
Bowarri Yamba (Moon Camp) camping site along the Ngaro Track. (Credit: Matt Horspool)
Wake up to a view. (Credit: Matt Horspool)
Watch the sun rise over the ocean. (Credit: Matt Horspool)
Uphill climbs are rewarded with spectacular views over the Whitsundays. (Credit: Matt Horspool)
End the day back at Dhula Yamba (Tree Camp). (Credit: Matt Horspool)
Each day on the Ngaro Track, open April to October, involves hiking a newly built trail arcing across the south-eastern corner of the island national park. Fifteen new walkers are permitted on the track daily, but guided walks (including the Ngaro Track Full Pack Guided Hike) have exclusive access, meaning your group will have the trail and camps to yourselves.
Starting near the southern tip of Whitehaven Beach – voted Australia’s best beach in the Australian Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 – the Ngaro Track Walk in Comfort kicks off with a climb to a stunning lookout then continues through dry rainforest to the elevated Bowarri Yamba (Moon Camp), our group’s favourite. Two camp hosts hike ahead to set up tents with comfy stretcher beds and prepare a hearty dinner so you can relax and watch the moon rise.
Campsites have been thoughtfully built into the landscapes. (Credit: Matt Horspool)
Beginning with a cooked breakfast, day two follows the contours of the coast, weaving through groves of hoop pines and grass trees – and past the odd goanna – before ascending to the lichen-encrusted boulders of Whitsunday Craig (353m) for a picnic lunch with stellar views. There are more viewpoints to enjoy as the track continues down to Dhula Yamba (Tree Camp) tucked in a solitaire palm forest fringing Torres Herald Bay, where you can swim if you opt to carry a supplied stinger suit (a year-round requirement for swimming on guided walks).
You’ll get a bird’s-eye view of it all. (Credit: Matt Horspool)
The third and final day is the longest. Taking you from one side of the island to the other, the undulating track includes the Whitsundays’ only mangrove boardwalk and crosses several creeks, though they weren’t running during our walk. We took a short detour to scoff our falafel salad lunch wraps on Murmuru Bari (Round Rock) with a unique view of the dreamy blues of Hill Inlet before pushing on to the inlet’s silica sands. I couldn’t resist diving into the shimmering aquamarine water before our 1.5-hour boat ride back to the mainland.
Both of the track’s campsites are anchored by an architecturally designed hardwood communal cooking and dining area that blends into the landscape. Camping platforms are comfortably spaced and each camp has a water tank and twin composting toilets, but no showers. Mobile reception on the track is limited, which I (mostly) embraced as a digital detox. Hiking through lush landscapes and learning some of the stories connected to this wild and beautiful island offered a much more meaningful connection.
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AI Prompt
Is the Ngaro track hike ethical?
On the walk, learn about the Ngaro People’s enduring custodianship of the seascape. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
The Ngaro Track was co-designed with the island’s Traditional Ngaro Custodians to ensure cultural heritage is safeguarded and stories are shared respectfully. Even the name is significant, with ‘track’ signifying the Ngaro Dreaming tracks that follow Ngaro Songlines. The track has also played a role in reviving the Ngaro language. Working together, Ngaro families chose names for several special places on the route that hadn’t been officially named before.
The track is also dotted with hardwood posts carved with art and stories supplied by Ngaro families, revealing their continuing connection to this island landscape. Hikers can help to protect this storied Country by staying on the marked path, not touching or removing natural objects or cultural artefacts, leaving no trace and walking with respect at all times.
Travel Details
Only 15 people are allowed to hike the trail per day. (Credit: Matt Horspool)
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Tour cost
The Ngaro Track Walk in Comfort starts from AUD$2195 pp/twin share, including meals and transfers. You can book online via World Expeditions.
Itinerary
Day 1: Pick-up Airlie Beach, boat from Shute Harbour to Whitsunday Island, then hike from Whitehaven Beach to Bowarri Yamba/Moon Camp (8.3 kilometres).
Day 2: A hill climb and views galore en route to Dhula Yamba/Tree Camp (10.8 kilometres).
Day 3: A cross-island trek to Tongue Point, culminating at Hill Inlet (12.8 kilometres). Boat back to Shute Harbour/Airlie Beach.
How difficult is the Ngaro Track?
The hike ranges from Grades 3, 4 and 5 across different sections. (Credit: Matt Horspool)
This moderate walk is graded between Grades 3, 4 and 5 across different sections. Walkers should expect undulating and at times hilly terrain, limited signage and variable footing as the track winds through a diversity of ecosystems.
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Sarah Reid is a multi-award-winning freelance travel writer, author and positive-impact travel advocate. When she’s not out exploring or writing about her adventures (read all about them at sarahreid.com.au), you’ll find her at the beach in her Byron Bay hometown or savouring a glass of Aussie vino in the sun.
When the winter chill settles in, an escape to Hamilton Island’s year-round tropical shores is the only acceptable coping mechanism.
As a heliophile with the cold tolerance of a Mediterranean house cat, the arrival of winter tends to spark a particular panic. How will I survive? Must I really start layering? What do you mean, Aperol season is over? But there are far better ways to spend the cooler months than sulking in the depths of your doona.
Enter, Hamilton Island. With its year-round sunshine and permanent on-holiday atmosphere, this Whitsundays favourite promises a veritable slice of summer in winter.
Think salt-stiff hair and the smug pleasure of devouring seafood beside the water while friends back home are defogging their windscreens. Here’s why Hamilton Island should figure into your winter plans.
1. Year-round summer weather
Hike under sunny winter skies on Hamilton Island. (Image: Andrew Caitens)
In the crisper months, Hamilton Island offers perfectly mild, sunny weather (17-24°C) that lends itself to morning swims and afternoon spritzes. Better still, you can enjoy the island’s outdoor adventures – from hiking to mountain biking – without the humidity or rain you’ll often find in summertime. With direct flights from most major Australian cities offering ease of access, Hamilton Island is the ideal place to flee the cold.
2. Getting active without the humidity
Zip around Hamilton Island by buggy. (Image: Hamilton Island)
Whether you’re hiking up to Passage Peak or exploring the island by buggy, tropical Queensland humidity is nobody’s friend. The one way to guarantee you will avoid the inevitable stickiness and fluffy hair? Visit during winter. There’s plenty to be enjoyed, from sunrise yoga at The Sundays (exclusive to guests of The Sundays) to playing golf on Dent Island.
3. Hamilton Island Race Week
Feel the thrill of Hamilton Island Race Week. (Image: Salty Dingo)
Taking place in August, Hamilton Island Race Week is a destination in its own right that attracts spectators and racers from around the globe. Boating enthusiasts and thrill-seeking holidaymakers flock to the island, which is palpably energetic as the first yachts set off for Dent Passage from Hamilton Island Yacht Club. The annual action-packed week, taking place from 15 to 22 August in 2026, offers an exciting calendar of on- and off-water events – spanning everything from celebrity chef dinners to golfing comps and wine tastings.
4. Best time for snorkelling
Explore Hamilton Island’s winter waters. (Image: Andrew Caitens)
While the crowds on Hamilton Island may disperse with the cooler weather, the marine life certainly doesn’t. Winter is widely considered one of thebest times to snorkel and dive in the Whitsundays.
It’s down to a number of reasons: excellent water visibility, higher chances of seeing whales as they migrate north and – best of all – no nasty stingers. This means no need to wear those notoriously unflattering full-body wetsuits visitors have to wear in warmer months. On top of all this, you’ll find calm seas ideal for sailing and Great Barrier Reef tours.
5. Fewer crowds
Experience a quieter Hamilton Island on a kayaking adventure. (Image: Hamilton Island)
Winter is often the quietest time to visit Hamilton Island, with the peak season crowds thinned to a relaxed trickle. You can snorkel or dive straight off the reef-laced waters of Catseye Beach, then swap fins for a buggy and zip between One Tree Hill, the marina and sunset cocktails without the usual summer queues. Active days stretch from kayaking, sailing and jet skiing to hopping over to famous Whitehaven Beach to witness those breathtaking white swirls of silica sand. You won’t have to elbow your way to the front of the crowd to get a good snap.
6. Delicious dining
Treat yourself to Bommie Restaurant’s fine dining featuring fresh, seasonal Aussie produce. (Image: Nikki To)
The food on Hamilton Island tastes just as good any time of year, and winter is still perfect weather for sundowners. Start with an iced tea Negroni at harbourside Bommie Deck, before transitioning to Bommie Restaurant for a fine-dining feast centering on seasonal Aussie ingredients. Or perhaps enjoy a more casual poolside evening at Sails Restaurant, where plates of chermoula chicken skewers, baked cauliflower steak and crispy sumac squid come served with ocean views. From family-friendly pub meals to elevated wine tastings, there’s something for everyone.
5. Clear skies for idyllic views
End your day with golden Hamilton Island sunsets over the water. (Image: Hamilton Island)
Never let a cloud rain on the parade of Hamilton Island’s spectacular scenery. Winter brings clearer skies and more stable weather to the Whitsundays, meaning your picture-perfect sunset at One Tree Hill is likely to remain that way. And after putting in the legwork to hike to a scenic lookout, the last thing you want is a vista hidden behind low cloud and haze.
