Whenever you read about Far North Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is usually the first mentioned. Given that it stretches 23,000 kilometres parallel to Queensland’s coast this is to be expected. So to be different in outlining the selling points of Mission Beach, I’m going to start with Charley's Chocolate Factory.
Get The Low Down on Chockies
At Charley’s Chocolate Factory in Mission Beach take the Chocolate Tour experience chocolate from cocoa tree to chocolate bar. Learn about the history of the food of the gods. See cocoa trees growing in the plantation, spot the orchid-like flowers and see pods ripening. The 13 stages from harvest to chocolate bar are demonstrated with lots of tastings (of course) Lunch is included. If you like chocolate (who doesn’t?) you must do this tour! Make sure you buy plenty of chocolate to take back to your Mission Beach holiday house booked through Search and Stay.
Visit A Magical Wonderland
Another thing to do in Mission Beach, which is a magical holiday activity for kids is Paronella Park. Just a 30 minute drive from Mission Beach in Tropical North Queensland. Built by José Paronella, a Spanish sugar cane farmer back in the 1930s, on 5 Hectares beside Mena Creek Falls Paronella built his castle, picnic area by the falls, tennis courts, bridges, a tunnel, and wrapped it up in an amazing range of 7,500 tropical plants and trees (now a lush rainforest!). For a truly amazing visit, try The Evening Experience features floodlighting of many of the Park's highlights (courtesy of the restored hydroelectric generator) and culminates in an incredible sound and light display that will implant a superb holiday memory for the family. Look for your Paronella Park holiday accommodation on Search and Stay.
White Water in the Wettest Town in Australia
In the opposite direction to Paronella Park is the town of Tully – one of the wettest places in Australia. No surprise then that the nearby Tully Gorge National Park is famous for its white water rafting. This makes for a great adventure-filled day trip from Mission Beach and should definitely be on your Australia bucket list. Try Raging Thunder they offer white water rafting on the Tully River. On Search and Stay, you'll find holiday rentals in Tully or accommodation in Mission Beach.
Go Cassowary Spotting
If there’s one thing Mission Beach is probably most famous for, it’s the giant cassowary birds that still roam the surrounding rainforest. Known to live for up to 50 years old, a simple bush trip is transformed into a luxurious antidote by a rare encounter with this prehistoric animal. Sadly, there are only about 4000 cassowaries left in the world, making it an extraordinary occasion to see one in the wild but Mission Beach is home to an estimated 100 resident wild cassowaries. Some of the cassowaries in the area are known to live to over 50 years old, descendants of cassowaries roaming Queensland forests for over 60 million years. If you'd like a list of places to find Cassowaries in the wild, click here. Book your Mission Beach holiday rental through Search and Stay and make sure you head out early in the morning to catch a glimpse.
Kayak to Dunk Island
Rent a Kayak or take a Kayaking Tour. As you walk along the beach, you’re bound to see the looming mound of Dunk Island just out to sea. This National Park retreat is a haven for birdwatchers and hikers, but perhaps the best way to experience it is via kayak. Hire one on Mission Beach and enjoy a guided kayak to this deserted tropical paradise.
Take a Dunk Island Day Tour
Take a trip from Mission Beach to Dunk Island for a day excursion to this beautiful tropical island. Located between Townsville and Cairns, Dunk Island has great snorkelling and fishing, walking trails that lead through the rainforest, and sandy beaches perfect for lounging. Ride over the blue waters of the Coral Sea to the island in just ten minutes and spend as much time as you want on the island. To book a tour of Dunk and surrounding islands head to Mission Beach Dive.
Skydive onto Mission Beach
With beach landings guaranteed every time and fabulous overhead views of the reef, it’s no wonder sky diving at Mission Beach is the town’s most popular activity. With planes going up every day, this is your chance to bite the bullet and tick this adrenaline-raising activity off your bucket list once and for all. Book Mission Beach Skydive and get ready for the experience of a lifetime!
Fish with a Mission
If you loooove fishing, or even if you have no idea and just want to give it a try Mission Beach Charters. They're uber family-friendly and will take you where you need to be to catch the fish you want (And throw it back of course because they are "catch and release" tours. Any combination of reef, estuary or island fishing is available, it just depends on which species you’re targeting, and how much time you have. They keep the passenger numbers low, no more than four fisherpeople so that you have plenty of room to catch the Big One! First-time fishers or experienced anglers will enjoy a great day out on the water with a rod in hand.
Don’t forget to Dive the Reef
Snorkelling or diving the Outer Great Barrier Reef when you’re staying in Mission Beach, is obviously a must. Different from Great Barrier Reef trips from Cairns or scuba diving in Port Douglas, from Mission Beach you can enjoy and experience the amazing Great Barrier Reef in its natural state away from the crowds. When travelling on board 'Reef Goddess' with Mission Beach Dive, you’ll feel like you’re heading to the Great Barrier Reef with friends and family, this fun-filled and educational experience is a holiday memory that will stay with you forever.
As a predominantly winter destination, Mission Beach is normally at its busiest between May and September. This is the best time to visit Mission Beach for dry days, lower humidity and more activities.
Book your Mission Beach holiday now through Search and Stay. You’ll also find Cairns holiday houses at Search and Stay or Port Douglas holiday rentals and plenty of places to stay at the Great Barrier Reef.
For holiday house bookings throughout Australia and New Zealand, visit Search and Stay.
For more information on Mission Beach visit Mission Beach Tourism.