Mission Beach
Tropical Mission Beach is 2 ½ Hours drive North of Townsville and 1 ½ Hours drive South of Cairns. Its name originated from the Aboriginal Mission founded at South Mission Beach in the early 1900's.
The Mission Beach area is sometimes referred to as the "Cassowary Coast" in recognition of the largest population of the endangered Southern Cassowary, who reside here.
Mission Beach is the closest departure point in the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region to Dunk Island and Bedarra Island, as well as Hinchinbrook Island, the largest National Park island in the world where you can walk wilderness trails, take dugong spotting tours, or paddle in a sea kayak on the Great Barrier Reef. The outer-Great Barrier Reef - where you can dive, snorkel and swim with thousands of bright fish and coral is only 21 nautical miles off Mission Beach.
Mission Beach is made up of three villages; South Mission, Wongaling Beach and North Mission, scattered along 10 kilometres of unspoilt beaches with lovely views towards Dunk Island and Bedarra Island. Bingil Bay is just around the corner to the north, boasting a smaller, very picturesque beach of it's own.
Mission Beach is surrounded by National Parks, World Heritage Rainforest, crystal clear streams and magnificent waterfalls. The climate is tropical, with a warm, wet monsoon season traditionally starting in December/January and finishing around April. The monsoonal season brings magnificent thunder and lightening storms, torrential downpours only seen in the tropics, and a time to experience the wildlife, birdlife, frogs, and the rainforest in its prime. In May the famous "Big Blue Ulysses" and "Giant Green Birdwing" butterflies hatch, in preparation for the magnificent months of July to December; crisp clear days with perfect balmy temperatures and cool nights.
Strolling through the jungle you may observe the complexity of the ecosystem of the lush tropical environment along with various birds, mammals, butterflies, reptiles, green tree frogs and the elusive cassowary. There are many well planned walking tracks with new major walks being constructed. Many international birdwatchers have proclaimed Mission Beach Region to be one of the best.