Mission Beach and the Cassowary Coast

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Sitting pretty on the tropical Coast between Cairns and Townsville, Mission Beach is all secluded beaches, soft adventure and juicy, juicy mangoes.

The Cassowary Coast

This is the closest point to the Great Barrier Reef on the mainland and the stretch is nestled between lush rainforest and sandy beachside. At the heart of the Cassowary Coast is Mission Beach which encompasses four separate towns and 14km of palm-fringed beach.

Things to do

Dive the Beaver Cay Marine Sanctuary, kayak to nearby Dunk Island and set up camp overnight or fly along the wet sand of Mission Beach in a blo-kart. Or, do barefoot luxury right in one of seven exclusive villas on Bedarra Island or at a beachfront resort or holiday house.

If you’re up for the challenge of big game fishing for marlin, tuna and barracuda, head to Clump Point jetty and board a fishing charter. And if you’re looking for adrenalin, throw yourself from a plane skydiving or down white-water rapids on the Tully River.

Looking to get back to nature? Hike or mountain bike the Misty Mountains trails once used by the traditional owners, the Jirrbal and Mamu people. Keep watch for the elusive southern cassowary.

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Frankland Islands Dive Site

East Russell, Cairns Area
Located south of Cairns, the Frankland Islands don’t see as many tourists as other destinations off this busy holiday city, making it the perfect destination for the snorkeler and less experienced diver.

Ravenshoe

Ravenshoe,
Ravenshoe, the highest town in Queensland at 920 metres, is a lush region of mountain pastures and un-spoiled World Heritage rainforest. Situated five kilometres from Ravenshoe you will find windmills that are 45 metres freestanding and twenty of them together is a spectacular sight to behold and feed enough power to into the national grid to power 3,500 homes.

Lake Barrine, Crater Lakes National Park

Lake Barrine, Tablelands Area
Free Entry
This popular park features a deep crater lake surrounded by cool lush rainforest. Lake Barrine, part of Crater Lakes National Park, is a maar—a crater lake formed by two massive volcanic explosions. Take the short stroll to the giant bull kauri trees or stretch your legs on the longer 5km track around the lake.

Tully Falls and Tully Gorge

Ravenshoe, Tablelands Area
Free Entry
Follow the scenic Tully Falls Road to the spectacular Tully Gorge Lookout. The falls only run in a big wet season, but the walls of raw rock and rainforest which plunge 300 metres (984 feet) down to the Tully River are still an awe-inspiring sight.

Tully

Tully, Cassowary Coast Area
Tully is a small town about 140 kilometres (or about two hours' drive) south of Cairns and has the reputation of being one of the wettest towns in Australia. With all that rain, the nearby Tully River is one of the best places in Australia to go white water rafting.

Millstream Falls National Park

Ravenshoe, Tablelands Area
Free Entry
Plunging over the edge of a columnar basalt lava flow, Big Millstream Falls is reputedly the widest single-drop waterfall in Australia. Wander down the walking track leads to spectacular views of the falls.

Frankland Group National Park

Deeral, Cairns Area
Free Entry
Surrounded by extensive fringing reefs, the five islands of Frankland Group National Park feature rocky outcrops, dense rainforest, mangroves and coastal vegetation, making them a haven for wildlife. A colony of spectacled flying-foxes roosts on Russell Island, while manta rays and sea turtles have been spotted in nearby waters, part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Josephine Falls, Wooroonooran National Park

Bartle Frere, Cairns Area
Free Entry
Josephine Creek starts as a gentle trickle high on the south-east side of the summit of Queensland's highest mountain, Bartle Frere. By the time it has travelled the 7.5 kilometres to the smooth granite boulders of Josephine Falls, it is a thundering torrent that will take your breath away.

Malanda

Malanda,
Nestled high in the Atherton Tablelands of Tropical North Queensland and surrounded by lush rainforest, the picturesque village of Malanda seems an unlikely place to find a dairy. But find one you will.

Curtain Fig National Park

Yungaburra, Tablelands Area
Free Entry
View a spectacular curtain fig tree from different vantage points along a boardwalk in this small but popular national park. This large fig tree is unique because the extensive aerial roots, that drop 15 metres to the forest floor, have formed a 'curtain'.
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