Dunk Island sunrise at Wongaling Beach.
The
Cassowary Coast's Mission Beach, Wongaling Beach and South Mission Beach are blessed with interesting tours and activities, here are ten ways to pass the time while on vacation in the Wet Tropics.
Swim
Mission Beach is ideal for swimming in resort pools as the balmy, tropical weather promotes cooling swims.
Wongaling Beach's (now closed ) wading pool.
Dunk Island - part of the Family Islands.
The islands offshore from Mission Beach are the Family Islands.Out of these mainly national park lands Dunk Island is popular for camping and day trips while nearby Bedarra Island has an exclusive and extravagant resort.
Link for Bedarra Island Resort corporate website linked at
www.bedarra.com.au.
Mission Beach/Cairns has activities galore.
Tully, Cardwell, Inisfail and Tully Gorge are scenic and at times quite fascinating places to explore with car hire while roads are the only direct access to Mission Beach in conventional terms but helicopter tours are popular through
Island Reef Helicopters. Long-distance coaches are popular, trains stop at Tully and airport shuttles run from Cairns International Mission Beach taxi service is reachable on 131008, located near the Big Cassowary Statue.
Mission Beach drive brochures
Wongaling Beach facing south.
Big Cassowary statue at the coach stop.
The Mission Beach Tavern is around the Porter Promenade which also has Garage Bar and Brewhouse and Pirate Den Bar and Grill which are all open late in Mission Beach along with Johalla Cafe, Lansi's (a gourmet burger bar), Taimo Cuban Restaurant (sounds intriguing), Thai Chill, Mad Pizza Mission, and, Mission Blues Bar while the Plenty Restaurant is closer to the beach on Donkin Lane - a relaxed bar and restaurant that does sumptuous coconut prawns. Further south at Wongaling Beach mainly on Wongaling Beach Road is Spicy Thai Hut, Cafe Rustica for pizza, The Shack espresso bar, and Cafe Bang Bang beside Woolworths in the
Mission Marketplace. In South Mission Beach near the Esplanade bordering Wongaling Beach is Tuskers Tuckerbox and Catering, Beachcombers Coconut Cafe and Mission Thai.
Shopping
Mission Beach is an escape from commercialism but some shops are trading including for fashion such as Beach Lyfe Co in the Mission Marketplace, it's a chic place for designer beach clothing, so plenty of swimwear and sandals on sale. On the Porter Promenade, the Bowerbirds Pantry sells gourmet food from local artisan producers and Leny's Tropical Fruit and Veg, there's a beauty salon called 'Lookin Good' and Glows Mission Beach is a garden centre. Overall not much but what is there in terms of specialty shops is relevant to the Cassowary Coast and a bit alternative but good quality and you might get to try something different but of good taste.
Shop at Wongaling Beach.
Definitely an artist's paradise, the Wet Tropics is aesthetic and has historically been a place for artists from all walks of life to live. This
link from the Helen Wiltshire Gallery is an example of the arts on the Cassowary Coast. There is also a local arts centre at Cassowary Drive, Mission Beach.
Hike/jog
The flatness of Mission Beach is noticeable but the weather is balmy, so certain times of day become useful for a hike or jog,, overall early to mid-morning seems the best time to maximise benefits and minimise sunburn and dehydration.
Facing South Mission Beach.
Facing north towards Mission Beach.
The flatness and lack of traffic in expansive streets by the beach make Mission Beach one of the best venues for beachside riding in Queensland, it's a healthy combination for the more laid-back side of the sport. Denis and Sue's
Mission Beach Bike Hire on Porter Promenade specialise in bike hire and local knowledge on cycling in the area.
Wide expansive roads with minimal cars is a Wongaling and Mission Beach trademarks.
There are world class whitewater rafting environs in Tully on the Tully River Rapids. Be aware that the rapids are a four out of five grade difficulty with
Raging Thunder reachable on (07) 4031 3460 or freecall1800 801540, for bookings which are also possible online, it's a Cairns-based company that has another location on Cairns' Barron River for specialised in white water rafting adventure sport experiences.
Raging Thunder Tourist Brochure front cover photographed by author.
Dunk Island is obviously one of the nation's great yoga backdrops, the refreshing air and warm breezes and space galore make Mission Beach itself a yoga haven but the rainforest and nearby vantage points over the hills and ocean make Mission Beach a movement and yoga retreat well worth visiting for participants in the pastime and who like its concept of getaways and retreats. There are several studios on the Cassowary Coast, especially given the small population of the area it's obviously one of the more popular pastimes in the area.
All Mission Beach area beaches are ideal for yoga.
