Book all your tours
at Licuala Lodge. Save money, get a bottle of red or white, and Pick up is Free. How good is that !!
Mission Beach offers a variety of activities - from the sedate through to the extreme. And all the tours can be booked here at your accommodation in the Great Barrier Reef area. Most of the operators offer special deals for guests staying at Mission Beach - so we can normally save you a few dollars.
GREAT BARRIER REEF - remember folks, Mission Beach is one of the closest mainland places to the
Great Barrier Reef.
The trip is just over an hour, whereas
from Cairns the trip can be two hours or more to the reef.
QUICK CAT - A big boat (approx 120 passenger capacity)
leaves Clump Point Jetty daily. They go to a sandy coral cay called Beaver Cay. This is great day out for both snorkellers and divers. Also good for people not so comfortable in the water as they have a glass bottomed boat moored at the cay. Lunch and snorkelling gear is provided FOC - diving is extra. Quick Cat make a small charge for pick-up.
Calypso
Dive and Snorkel
Mission Beach scuba diving with Calypso Dive on the Great Barrier Reef offers a
complete scuba diving service designed to ensure you experience the very best
from the magnificent Great Barrier Reef. Starting out from Mission Beach and
Dunk Island, you'll visit some of the Reefs most spectacular areas. Explore
magnificent unspoiled sites or dive the 'Lady Bowen' wreck or even snorkel
around your own deserted island. Whether you're certified or a beginner, Calypso's team of professional instructors offer
individual attention, great adventure & unsurpassed value for money.
White Water Rafting
Raft the mighty Tully river (regarded as the best rafting river across Australia and New Zealand) with Raging Thunder or RnR. Your awesome day includes approx 5 hours of white water rafting, BBQ lunch by the river, all transfers. If you intend to do the rafting then see our Specials page as we can save you a fistful of dollars (and you get a bottle of white or red). Trips leave daily for the Tully River ex Mission Beach. So make sure that you stay at accommodation here at the Great Barrier Reef.
(A note from Mick and Sue - this really is a great day out. If you only have time to do one thing here at your Tropical North Queensland accommodation in Mission Beach, Great Barrier Reef,
then make it White Water Rafting - you will love it ! An absolute
must if you come to Mission Beach).
Sky
Diving
Jump the Beach has been operating for many years in Tropical North Queensland, and has a Grade A safety record -
a reflection of the care taken by all of their instructors. Mission Beach
offers the most stunning views over the ocean, islands, beaches and tropical rainforest
and the Great Barrier Reef. Without a doubt Australia's best experience and drop zone. They also offer solo
skydiving courses for those, who want to take the next step in skydiving.
Don't forget - these guys will pick up from our accommodation
and drop you off at the accommodation after your dive. How's that for great service. Check out our Specials page for some great savings - or at the very least contact us. We will save you money on Sky Diving - that's a promise.
Fishing
in North Queensland Unbelievable
Reef, Island, River and Estuary fishing in the Great Barrier
Reef areas of Mission Beach in tropical North Queensland.
Fully guided fishing charters and tours in this world acclaimed
sports fishing and World Heritage Listed wilderness region. The
experienced local guide takes all the hassles out of finding the fish and
provides free tuition in tropical fishing techniques. And of course they pick up at the accommodation, at the ungodly ?? hour of 7:00 am -
which means an early breakfast for you, and they will drop you back at the accommodation around about 4:00pm. Great fun.
Great Barrier Reef - Other tours and activities
DUNK ISLAND is 4.5 km from the shore at Mission Beach. Most
of the island is National Park. Lots of great walking
tracks on the island, from easy to difficult. Snorkelling,
Water Skiing, Parasailing, Sailboarding etc... are
all available at the Island.
To get to Dunk Island from Mission Beach there are a couple of operators :-
WATER TAXI - departs from the closest beach (Wongaling Beach) 5 times each day. QUICK CAT FERRY - departs
from Clump Point jetty at 08.30, 10.00 and 14.00. The ferry leaves from Clump Point Jetty (approx 6 kms from the Lodge).
WATER SPORTS If you fancy a paddle, sail or cruise then go and see Gary at Mission Beach Water Sports located at South Mission Beach. He also has everything for the beach including sunshades, deck chairs, beach volleyball, cricket sets etc..
SEA KAYAKING This is a great way to explore the tropical waters and the rainforest of Dunk Island. Attie a local guide who runs Coral Sea Kayaking has amazing knowledge of the ocean and the rainforest - a walking encyclopaedia. The full day tour includes a magnificent lunch on one of the island's secluded beaches. Attie and Dave also run extended trips to Hinchinbrook Island. Check out their website.
SWIT Guided Tour Experiences
WALKING TRACKS
There
are 5 principal rainforest walks available - Lacey
Creek, Licuala Forest, Bicton Hill, Cutten Brothers
and the Kennedy Track. They range from 1.2 km to
7.8 km. There is even a kiddies walk of 350 m. And of course the famous Licuala Lodge Rainforest Walk where you can spot all sorts of wonderful creatures.
GOLF COURSES - There are 9 hole courses at El Arish and Tully (approx
20 mins by car), and a course at Innisfail - less than an hour's drive.
HORSE RACING The nearest track is at Innisfail - next to the Golf
course. There are about ten meetings throughout
the year at Innisfail.
Great fun to watch as they jump out of the barriers and race to the finishing line.
Other nearby tracks are at Mareeba and Cairns. All the tracks in North Queensland
are on the flat, and all the races begin with a starting barrier. And for a bit of fun we have a Horse Racing game that is great fun if all the guests fancy a 'pretend' flutter. A great way to socialise. Just as Sue or Mick.
PARONELLA PARK - Enjoy 13 fantastic acres.
Guided tours available. Allow at least two hours
for the full experience. This has been voted the Number One attraction of Things to do in Queensland.
The Park is about a 35 minute drive
from our Queensland Bed Breakfast. JOHNSTONE RIVER CROCODILE FARM - On
display are 3500 crocs. Hold a croc or python, hand
feed kangaroos and wallabies
BARRIER and REEF
There are no class barriers here at Mission Beach, and no language barrier either.
Did you know that the word barrier comes from the Ango-French word barrere,
or possibly from the Old French word barriere.
And that a barrier beach is a long narrow bar of sand built up parallel to a coastline by wave action, also called barrier island.
And barrier cream is a substance used to protect the hands from oil, solvents etc.
Reef is a strip or ridge of rocks, sand or soil that rises to or near the surface of a body of water.
Coral reef is a marine ridge or mound consisting cheifly of compacted coral together with algal material
and biochemically deposited magnesium and calcium carbonates.
In nuatical terms, a reef is a portion of a sail rolled and tied down to lessen the area exposed to the wind.
Reefer can mean a sailor-type person such as a midshipman, a short close-fitting double breasted jacket, and of course a cigarette made of a dodgy substance.
Reef knot is a common knot also knows as a flat knot.
Why do I drone on about the words barrier and reef - it is all part of a cunning plan.
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