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.

Cassowary Coast

The Mission Beach area is part of a region known as the Cassowary Coast.  This is in recognition of the largest population of the endangered Southern Cassowary, who reside here.

Mission Beach is the closest departure point to the Great Barrier Reef, Dunk, Bedarra and the Family group of islands.  Mission Beach is also within close proximity to Hinchinbrook Island, the largest National Park island in the world.  Here 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 four villages; South Mission, Wongaling Beach, North Mission and Bingil Bay.  These villages are 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.

Natural Beauty

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 lightning storms, torrential downpours only seen in the tropics.  This is 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.