Tourism Opportunities Available in the Hinchinbrook Planning Area

There are a number of tourism opportunities available in the Hinchinbrook Planning Area:

Limited Tour Operations (allowing 50 days access each year with a booking) are available for:

Open Tour Operations (allowing everyday access) are available for:

Other Tour Operations are available for:

Read about each type below.

Limited Tour Operations

Crewed Vessel Operations - vessels (35 metres or less)

allows 50 days access each year to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area subject to a booking (10 vessel bookings are allowed each day – including large vessels)
allows access to Locations
allows access with a booking to Sensitive Locations
must abide by group and vessel size limits.

Crewed Large Vessel Operation - vessels (over 35 metres up to and including 70 metres)

allows 50 days access each year to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area subject to a booking (10 vessel bookings are allowed each day – includes large vessels)
allows anchoring outside Locations and in cruise ship anchorages
does not allow access to most Locations, including Sensitive Locations
must abide by group and vessel size limits.

Aircraft Operations

allows 50 days access each year to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area subject to a booking (2 bookings are allowed each day)
must not access below 1500 feet over a Location
must not access below 1500 feet over a Sensitive Location (not required to book).
must abide by group and vessel size limits.

Cruise Ship Operations - vessels (more than 70 metres)

allows access to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area subject to a booking (1 booking is allowed each day)
does not allow access to Locations or Sensitive Locations
allows access to cruise ship anchorages with a booking.

Open Tour Operations

Note: Generally, the GBRMPA is not granting additional Open Tour Operation permits. The Plan allows for a small number of new permits and the timing for the release of these will be based on input from the community and industry. Any permits that become available will be allocated through an expressions of interest process. Contact the GBRMPA to keep up-to-date about available permits. Existing permits are tradeable, but the transfer must be approved by the GBRMPA. Your local tourism association may have information on any existing permits that are available for transfer.

Crewed Vessel Operation - vessels (35 metres or less)

allows all year access to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area without a booking
allows access to Locations subject to group and vessel size limits – may be endorsed to provide greater access
allows 50 days access per year with a booking to Sensitive Locations – may be endorsed to provide greater access.

Crewed Large Vessel Operation - vessels (over 35 metres up to and including 70 metres)

allows more than 50 days access a year to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area without a booking
may be endorsed to access Locations
may be endorsed to access Sensitive Locations
may be endorsed to carry above the group and vessel size limits.

Aircraft Operation

allows all year access to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area without a booking
may be endorsed to access Locations
must not access below 1500 feet over a Sensitive Location (not required to book).

Cruise Ship Operation - vessels (more than 70 metres)

allows more than 50 days access a year to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area without a booking
may be endorsed to access Locations
may be endorsed to access Sensitive Locations
may be endorsed to carry above the group and vessel size limits.
allows access to cruise ship anchorages with a booking.

Other Tour Operations

Long Range Roving Operation - vessels (no more than 35 metres)

Note: The GBRMPA is not granting additional Long Range Roving Operation permits. Any permits that become available will be allocated through an expressions of interest process. Contact the GBRMPA to keep up-to-date about available permits. Existing permits are tradeable, but the transfer must be approved by the GBRMPA. Your local tourism association may have information on any existing permits that are available for transfer.

allows 100 days access each year to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area with no more than 2 days in any 7-day period at any one location
must abide by group and vessel size limits
allows up to 30 passengers (a greater number can be taken on up to 10 days per year, with written notification to the GBRMPA)
is limited to whole vessel charter with no fixed schedule.

Hire Operation - hire craft (less than 6 metres) and hire equipment (e.g. beach hire)

allows all year access to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area
allows hiring of hire craft and equipment in intensive use locations.

Bareboat Operation - hire of vessels (more than 6 metres)

Note: The GBRMPA is not granting additional Bareboat Operation permits. Any permits that become available will be allocated through an expressions of interest process. Contact the GBRMPA to keep up-to-date about available permits. Existing permits are tradeable, but the transfer must be approved by the GBRMPA. Your local tourism association may have information on any existing permits that are available for transfer.

allows all year access to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area
must abide by group and vessel size limits

Craftless Operation - operations (e.g. dive schools) that operate from the beach or who 'piggy back' on other vessels to go to the Reef

does not allow for the independent operation of a vessel or aircraft, though the permittee may travel onboard other operations
allows all year access to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area, subject to the same access and activity conditions as the permitted vessel or aircraft that is being used for entry to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area.

Guided Interpretive Tour Operation - maximum vessel length of 6 metres

allows all year access without a booking to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area
must be conducted from a base on land
activities must consist of interpretive tours (may include fishing)
allows access to Locations
allows access without a booking to Sensitive Locations
must abide by group and vessel size limits.

Motorised Watersports Operation - operations that provide waterskiing, parasailing or personal watercraft tours

allows all year access without a booking to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area
allows access to intensive use locations and outside locations only.

Non-motorised Craft Operation

allows all year access without a booking to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area
allows access to Locations
allows access without a booking to Sensitive Locations
must abide by group and vessel size limits.

Passenger Transport Operation

allows all year access without a booking to the Hinchinbrook Planning Area
allows access to Locations
allows access without a booking to Sensitive Locations
must abide by group and vessel size limits except may access Cape Richards Location above group and vessel size limits

Download Maps

Hinchinbrook Settings Map 1 Settings, significant bird site, transit lanes and cruise ship anchorages - 319.9 kb

Hinchinbrook Settings Map 2 (Family and Brook Islands) Settings, significant bird sites and no anchorage areas - 543.6 kb

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