Solway Circuit Hiking Trail on Whitsunday Island
The Solway Circuit is a hiking trail located on beautiful Whitsunday Island in Northern Queensland, famous for being the home of Whitehaven Beach. The trail itself begins behind the beach and gives its guests a beautiful view of Solway Passage, Pentecost Island and Haslewood Island. It's a 1.2 kilometre one-way circuit that's part of the Ngaro Sea Trail which is also found on Hook and South Molle Islands and sheds light on the traditional owners of the Whitsundays, the Ngaro.
Hikers can be sure to learn about the region during their hike with trailside info plaques that delve into the history of the Whitsundays and the Ngaro. The landscape, which is said to have formed over 10,000 years ago, has an interesting history leading just as far back and artifacts and cave drawings from the traditional owners peppering the area.
As you will learn on your hike, the Whitsundays were once a mainland mountain range. The area flooded many years ago and the islands we know and see today are the submerged mountaintops left behind when the waters stopped rising. As you make your way along the trail try to imagine what the area would have looked like long ago when the seafloor sat far, far below where it does today and how the people would have lived in the mountains.
The trail is moderately difficult and is said to take about 40 minutes to complete (longer if you want to grab a lot of photos, which you surely will!). Sneakers are recommended, as is bringing along plenty of water and sunscreen.
The Solway Circuit is inside of a national park so the only things you are allowed to take with you when you leave are photos and memories. Take garbage with you and stay on pathways to make sure you don't damage or injure any flora or fauna. The Circuit is managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife who keep it maintained and open to the public. It is certainly one of the most scenic walks in the Whitsundays that will take you on a journey through the island and through history.
