Thorsborne Log Day 1

I walked the Thorsborne Trail, and here is my log. As you can see, I had plenty of time to write down my thoughts. Enjoy.

After a sleepless night in Townsville I set off to Ingham by Greyhound as early as 7 am. Having some time to kill there, I go to the tourist office where I spend an hour chatting about the trail with one of their staff who has walked the trail himself three times already. He answers all my questions about crocodiles (“don’t do anything stupid”), drinkable water (“the water in the creeks should be fine”), and creek crossings (at low tide), shows me some photographs, and tells me about things I might see, such as wild pigs. I’m not sure whether or not he’s kidding and must look confused, so his colleague, an elderly lady, helps me out by making hilarious pig noises.

Around noon my shuttle minibus brings me (just me…) to the boat, not without giving me a quick overview and free tour of this area’s cane sugar industry. They have extra rails for little sugar cane trains, and an endless (world’s longest?) pier out to the sea to transfer the cane sugar to big cargo ships.

A little boat takes me and three French guys over to Hinchinbrook Island to the southern trail head of the Thorsborne Trail. I am actually relieved that it won’t be just me on this island today.

The walk starts with a nice stroll along 5 km of lonely beach before entering deep rain forest.

A few shallow creeks have to be crossed, nothing to worry me with my Icelandic-glacial-river-crossing experience. My pack feels heavy. It’s probably around 15 kg including 3 liters of water. But then, it’s the first day, and the pack will feel lighter once I get stronger.

The designated camping area consists of one composting toilet, three rat-proof food boxes, and a waterfall with swimming hole which is full of curious fishies and a turtle.

One other couple, who are walking the trail in the opposite direction, from north to south, have put up their tent already. After some chat about trail conditions I find myself a nice spot for my brand-new tent that is far enough from the couple to maintain each other’s privacy, but not too close to the waterfall, so the background noise won’t make me want to pee all night.

I go for a swim and when I come back, the French guys have put up their tents directly next to mine. Oh well. So I won’t be lonely tonight.

For the first night in days I’m not worried about mosquitoes or scratching my many bites. I don’t sleep well anyway, since sleeping on a 15$ sleeping mat needs some getting used to.

Complaint of the day: My backpack is too heavy.