Hinchinbrook Island National Park Tropical North Queensland

Mulligan Bay is easy to get to and has good protection from the weather. Photo credit: © Queensland Government

The rugged beauty of Hinchinbrook Island National Park must be seen to be believed! Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Queensland

Mulligan Bay camping area

With great fishing and a lovely stretch of beach, this camping area is an ideal spot to stay for a night or two.

Accessible by

  • Boat

Camping area facilities

  • Tent camping
  • Fishing

Always check

At the northern end of Mulligan Bay on the south-east end of the island, this secluded hideaway is only for boaties and sea kayakers.

Explore the tall mangrove forest along the creek and marvel at the trees’ slender and stilt-like trunks. If relaxation is more your style, sit back and take in endless views of the seascape and Orpheus Island National Park. Marvel at Mount Diamantina, rising high above the island and standing sentinel over your camp site.

Throw in a line (zoning restrictions apply) and try your luck at landing a feed of fish for dinner before falling asleep to the sounds of the waves rolling up the beach.

This island park is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, famed for its superlative natural beauty, outstanding examples of reef ecosystem development, evolutionary history and amazing diversity.

Getting there and getting around

Mulligan Bay camping area is in Hinchinbrook Island National Park, off the Queensland coast between Lucinda and Cardwell.

  • The camping area is on the eastern side of Hinchinbrook Island, located at the mouth of Dimantina Creek, and can be accessed by private vessel launched from Cardwell or Lucinda, or by sea kayak.

Private vessel

  • Visitors accessing the island by private vessel should obtain a copy of the Hinchinbrook plan of management 2004 (PDF, 1.74MB) for information on transit lanes and boat speeds to aid dugong and turtle conservation.
  • Access to some areas of Hinchinbrook Island is weather and tide dependent and a good knowledge of the waters and potential hazards is essential.
  • Check local tide tables and weather conditions at the Bureau of Meteorology before you set out.
  • Read boat and fish with care for tips on boating and fishing safety and caring for parks.

Sea kayak

  • Commercial sea kayak tours of Hinchinbrook Island are available.
  • For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Mulligan Bay camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Camping area features: bush camping with beach access.

Location: eastern side of Hinchinbrook Island, south of Mulligan Bay.

Access: the camping area can be reached by boat. Access is weather-dependent and a good knowledge of the waters and hazards is essential.

Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites.

Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping.

Camp site surface: sand and grass.

Facilities: no facilities.

Open fires: prohibited.

Generators: not permitted.

Essentials to bring: drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent and fuel stove. Read more about before you visit.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options. Advance bookings are recommended for school holiday periods.

Mobile phone coverage: generally available.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Hinchinbrook Island safely and camp with care.