Townsville to Mission Beach

Northbound
For the correct pick up time and place see the relevant Timetable.

Townsville to Mission Beach -

Townsville <> Mission Beach
OPTIONAL HOP OFFS:
> Tully
> Mission beach
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION:
> Scotties Beach House (Mission Beach)

Townsville
Townsville is the capital of North Queensland - a tropical, beachside city with a unique blend of history and natural beauty. It has an abundance of arts, crafts, food and Aboriginal art (check out Flinders Mall every Sunday). The Strand is the city’s beachfront promenade providing examples of some of north Queensland’s oldest buildings, a man-made waterfall and gardens, as well as night markets on the first Friday of each month. There’s plenty to do if you decide to spend more time here. You can get a breathtaking view of the area from the top of Castle Hill, go to Townsville Common and see over 260 species of birds that gather to nest from late December to April in their natural habitat. If you are into diving check out the Yongala wreck, it is Australia’s best dive and the 6th best in the world. Walk the Aboriginal plant trail that is self-guided, or visit Bowling Green Bay National Park and stay and camp. There are tracks and magnificent waterfalls in season. Check out the brand new Museum of Tropical North Queensland where you can explore the story of the infamous Mutiny on the Bounty and the wreck of the Pandora. Last but by no way least check out Reef HQ. It’s awesome with all the underwater habitats specific to the Great Barrier Reef. Just wait til you see the Predator tank! Eek!

The drive from north will take you through some of the most lush pastures and farms you will ever see, not to mention some of the most crystal clear swimming holes, spectacular waterfalls and rainforest national parks in Queensland. We will go through the beautiful towns of Ingham and Cardwell (gateway to Hinchinbrook Island, the nature lover’s Mecca). Tully We have a brief stop at Tully, the major contender for the Golden Gumboot award, the title given to the wettest place in Australia. It has a rainfall of around 450cm each year. The high rainfall is a good thing because it means a lot of water pumping into the Tully River. Rafting companies like Raging Thunder do most of their rafting down the Tully River, which runs wet and wild down through some awesome rainforest.

Cassowaries
The road leading into Mission Beach is known as the Cassowary Drive. Signs frequently warn the driver to beware of these beautiful birds. However the cassowary population of the area is such that you can live there for months without actually seeing one.
Cassowary Drive is an enchanting road which passes through areas of dense rainforest. In fact Mission Beach's claim to fame is that it is one of the last areas on the north Queensland coast where tropical rainforest actually reaches down to the shoreline. The rainforest is the habitat not only of the elusive cassowary but of parrots, wallabies and some of the most beautiful butterflies imaginable.

Mission Beach
Your mission, (should you choose to accept it), is to travel to Mission Beach in Tropical North Queensland and have an experience of a lifetime! Two hours drive south of Cairns, and two hours north from Townsville, Mission Beach has the most beautiful, wide, sandy beaches of the entire region – 14 golden kilometres of it. It was named after an Aboriginal Mission, which blew over in a cyclone in 1918. No high-rises, just plenty of coconut palms and just off shore lie’s Dunk Island.

Take a walk through the tropical rainforest, short walks for the casual trekker or walks suited for the serious hiker, some deep in the rainforest, some with glorious views across the Coral Sea. Mission Beach has the closest access point to the Great Barrier Reef along the Eastern sea-board, with the islands of Dunk, Bedarra and the Family Group just a few kilometres off shore.

Try white water rafting on the mighty Tully River the greatest location in Australia for white water rafting, tough rapids, waterfalls, tropical rainforest, a true life Jurassic Park for you to enter via a raft. Or take the ultimate challenge and really push your adventure buttons and go tandem skydiving landing on paradise. Mission Beach. Hire a bike or scooter and explore the four beaches villages that make up Mission Beach, find a quiet spot for fishing or just chill out on the beach. Plenty of cafes and internet cafes for that afternoon latte. In the evening head out for a party, beach style, at a range of bars, bistros and restaurants.

Your mission, Don’t miss Mission Beach, Tropical North Queensland, Australia!

Two optional things you’ll regret not doing if you’ve left Mission Beach and haven’t done them:
> Tandem Skydive
The tandem skydive masters will guide you out of our plane for a tandem skydive above one of the most beautiful scenes in the world. You will have views of 14km of golden beaches, lush rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef and tropical islands. You have the choice of Skydiving from 2 different altitudes; 10,000 feet will give you 30 seconds of freefall skydiving and 14,000 feet will have you freefall skydiving for 60 seconds! All with the safety of being strapped to one of our tandem sky dive masters. Get ready to let the adrenaline flow through your body!

> White Water rafting -
Raging Thunder Adventures pioneered rafting in Queensland, Australia in 1984 their first commercial trip consisted of three nervous passengers on the Tully River. Even today we still raft the Mighty Tully River, because is regarded as the best rafting river across Australia and New Zealand. This awesome adventure is located in spectacular rainforest surroundings.