Hinchinbrook Island National Park Tropical North Queensland

Sunset Beach camping area is a popular stop over for kayakers. Photo credit: Emma Schmidt © Queensland Government

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

Sunset Beach camping area

This intimate and idyllic camping area is a great spot to base yourself while you explore the east coast of the island.

Accessible by

  • Boat

Camping area facilities

  • Anchoring allowed
  • Tent camping
  • Canoeing and kayaking
  • Boating

Always check

Extremely popular with sea kayakers, this secluded and tranquil camping area sits on the sheltered eastern end of South Shepherd Bay.

Protected from the south-easterly breezes, walk along the golden beaches of the bay or jump in your boat and explore the surrounding bays, coves and reefs.

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

Sunset Beach camping area is in Hinchinbrook Island National Park, 8km off the Queensland coast at Cardwell.

  • The camping area is on the north-eastern side of Hinchinbrook Island in South Shepherd Bay 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

Sunset Beach 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.

Location: on the north-east side of Hinchinbrook Island in South Shepherd Bay adjacent to Eva Island.

Access: the camping area can be reached by boat. It is not available to Thorsborne Trail walkers.

Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites.

Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping.

Camp site surface: sand, dirt 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: poor.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

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