Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Safety Tips When Encountering Wildlife
Endangered cassowaries (spectacular ostrichlike birds with a blue boney
crown on their head) can kill with their enormous claws, so never
approach one. If you disturb one, back off slowly and hide behind a tree.
Dangerous crocodiles inhabit the local waterways. Do not swim in, or
stand on the bank of, any river or stream.
You will spend plenty of time lazing and strolling the area's 14km (8
3
⁄
4
miles) of beaches, but be careful about where you swim. Deadly marine
stingers inhabit the sea October through May; in these times swim only in
the stinger nets erected at the north and south ends of Mission Beach.
Tips
Beach near the water taxi to Dunk Island.
Sugarland Car Rentals
(
&
07/4068
8272
) is the only rental-car company in town. For Mission Beach taxi service,
call
&
07/4068 8155.
WHAT TO SEE & DO
EXPLORING THE REEF
Mission Beach is the closest point on the main-
land to the Reef, just 1 hour by the high-speed
Quick Cat Cruises
catamaran
(
&
1800/654 242
in Australia, or 07/4068 7289). The trip starts with an hour
at Dunk Island 20 minutes offshore, where you can walk rainforest trails, play
on the beach, or parasail or jet ski for an extra fee. Then it's a 1-hour trip to
sandy Beaver Cay on the Outer Reef, where you have 3 hours to snorkel or to
check out the coral from a semi-submersible or glass-bottom boat. There's no
shade on the cay, so come prepared with a hat and sunscreen. The trip departs
daily from Clump Point Jetty at 9:30am. It costs A$148 (US$96) for adults,
A$74 (US$48) for children 4 to 14, and A$370 (US$241) for a family. An
introductory scuba dive costs A$80 (US$52) for the first dive and A$35
(US$23) for the second. You should prebook your introductory scuba dive to
ensure a place. Qualified divers pay A$60 (US$39) for the first dive, A$35
(US$23) for the second, all gear included. Free pickups from Mission Beach are
included. You can also join this trip from Cairns; coach connections from your
Cairns or northern beaches hotel will cost extra. Ask about Sunday and Wednes-
day specials during high season.
WHITE-WATER RAFTING ON THE TULLY
A day's rafting through the
rainforest on the Class III to IV Tully River is an adventure you won't soon for-
get. In raft-speak, Class IV means “exciting rafting on moderate rapids with a
continuous need to maneuver rafts.” On the Tully, that translates to regular hair-
raising but manageable rapids punctuated by calming stretches that let you just
float downstream. You don't need experience, just a decent level of agility and an
enthusiastic attitude.
RnR Rafting
(
&
07/4051 7777
) runs a trip, which
includes 5 hours on the river with fun, expert guides, a barbecue lunch in the
rainforest, and a video screening of your adventure. With transfers, the day costs
A$135 (US$88) from Mission Beach, A$145 (US$94) from Cairns, Palm Cove,
or Townsville, and A$160 (US$104) from Port Douglas, plus a A$10 (US$6.50)
national park fee. The trip runs daily; you must be 13 years or older.
EXPLORING THE RAINFOREST & COAST
Walking, wildlife spotting,
canoeing in the forest, and kayaking along the pristine coast are all worth doing.
Hiking trails abound through national parks, rainforests, fan palm groves, and
