Spotlight: Mission Beach
Mission Beach is a tropical holiday destination between Townsville and Cairns that is known for its world-heritage rainforests, idyllic beaches, island getaways, adventure activities and amazing fishing.
Mission Beach, with its resident population of about 4,000, is 165km south of Cairns and 235km north of Townsville. Its four villages – Bingil Bay, Mission Beach, Wongaling Beach and South Mission Beach – are linked by 14km of palm-fringed beaches.
The tourist destination enjoys a warm tropical climate with temperatures up around 26ºC in the Australian winter (the dry season of May to October) and 30ºC in the wet season (November to April).
Mission Beach offers an excellent array of accommodation from luxury resorts and upmarket holiday homes to secluded rainforest retreats and well-appointed bed and breakfasts. The tourist destination caters for romantic getaways, family holidays, birdwatchers, backpackers, adventure travellers, campers, caravanners and most importantly anglers.
Mission Beach offers a vast array of activities ranging from eco-friendly tours such as Great Barrier Reef trips and sea kayaking trips to extreme sports including tandem skydiving and white-water rafting.
A good range of services and shopping facilities are available including two supermarkets, a hardware store, medical centre, pharmacy and library. Cafes and restaurants feature local tropical produce.
Dunk Island is a 10-minute boat ride from Mission Beach. There are other islands close by.
Mission Beach is home to the endangered cassowary – a majestic bird that lives within the surrounding world heritage rainforest. Walks through the rainforest are another popular pastime for tourists.
The area produces an amazing array of rare and exotic tropical fruits and these can be sampled at the weekly tastings held at the Mission Beach Visitor Information Centre.