Mission Beach Rainforest Home To Many Wonderful Plants & Animals Very Easy To Explore.

Licuala Lodge is nestled amongst the Mission Beach rainforest. The property and its gardens merge seamlessly into their rainforest surrounds, including Lot 66, a protected Cassowary corridor. The towering rainforest giants provide the backdrop for the lodge and dominate the views from all of its elevated decks. If you’re looking for Mission Beach rainforest accommodation, you’ve found it here.

On arrival at Licuala Lodge you’re immediately enveloped by the lush green surrounds. A quiet peace descends on you. Whether you’re walking or driving, you’re sure to encounter butterflies and birds on arrival to Licuala Lodge. Probably both.

Licuala Lodge Mission Beach Rainforest

The rainforest is the beating green heart of this area and there are very few places you can stay so close to it. Welcome to Licuala Lodge, Mission Beach rainforest accommodation.

An Ancient Landscape Protected Forever With World Heritage

The Mission Beach rainforest is a part of the greater Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area. Arguably, it’s one of the best places to see the endangered and iconic rainforest bird, the Southern Cassowary. It’s a stunningly beautiful area, containing coastal and tropical rainforest. It’s just steps away from your accommodation at Licuala Lodge and can be explored in more detail on the many walking tracks and trails, that are in the Mission Beach area. From the smallest frogs and tassel ferns to the many climbing vines and palms, buttress roots and butterflies, this is a landscape that can’t help but inspire all who visit it. So, make sure you allocate at least two days from your Mission Beach itinerary, to enjoy the rainforest.

Pademelons
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Pademelons

Seen in the gardens.

Licuala Fan Palm
2

Licuala Fan Palm

What our Lodge is named after.

Cape York Lily
3

Cape York Lily

Native rainforest plant.

Green Tree Frog
4

Green Tree Frog

Often seen around the Lodge.

Buttress Roots
5

Buttress Roots

On rainforest giants.

Ulysses Butterfly
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Ulysses Butterfly

A frequent visitor here.

Tree Ferns
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Tree Ferns

Delicate leaves.

Cassowary
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Cassowary

We just love them.

Sunbirds
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Sunbirds

Make interesting nests.

Mission Beach Rainforest at Licuala Lodge

The Mission Beach rainforest encircles the back of the Licuala Lodge property. So too does Lot 66 the protected Cassowary corridor, which is why these beautiful birds are frequent visitors to the lodge and its gardens. They are just naturally passing through. This place is a part of their home range.

It’s not just Cassowaries that you will see here. Other Mission Beach rainforest residents frequently spotted by guests at Licuala Lodge include, but are not limited to, Pademelons (small wallabies), Goannas, a rich variety of birdlife such as Sunbirds, Honeyeaters, Doves, Stone Curlews, Metallic Starlings and more, the bright blue Ulysses Butterfly and equally magnificent Cairns Birdwing Butterfly, Hercules Moths and a diverse array of insects.

Go Exploring On Foot Mission Beach Rainforest

Pack your walking shoes and spend some time exploring some of the many Mission Beach rainforest walks, tracks and trails. One of our favourites is the Kennedy Walking Track (pictured here), which traverses coastal rainforest as well as beaches and rocky headlands. It’s as scenic as it is enjoyable. Take water and take your time to enjoy and explore everything this 4km (one-way) track offers.

Another popular one is the Dreaming Trail, which is all about the Mission Beach rainforest. Starting near the Lacey Creek day-use area this 3.2km one-way trail is mostly shaded by the rainforest trees above and crosses over seasonal creeks. It’s described as moderate difficulty, but anyone with mobility and reasonable fitness will be able to enjoy this track. Take your time, pack water and make sure you take your camera (and probably some bug spray is a good idea too).

My partner and I recently spent 5 nights at Licuala Lodge, and we had an amazing time. They tended to our every need and provided us with many suggestions of places to visit and things to do. Their hospitality really enhanced our stay at Mission Beach and helped us get the most out of our time there. The homemade bread and cakes, as well as the fruit bowl were delicious. We were also stoked to see the resident wild cassowary and his chick's wander through the grounds on multiple occasions. Our stay here was truly a treat.

Nazli Y

We stayed for two nights however honestly would have loved to stay a week! Delicious breakfast on the deck, comfortable room with access to the veranda, loved the resident Cassowaries and chicks. An easy 25 min walk to the Mission Beach Resort or you can book a courtesy bus if walking is not for you.

Loraine A

Our stay at Licuala Lodge was the highlight of our trip to NQ. We saw a cassowary and chick every day and delighted in bird watching from our balcony (sun birds, metallic starlings, helmeted friar bird, dusky honeyeater, yellow oriole, etc. The gardens are exceptional. Breakfast was delicious with home made ingredients.

Lorna C

We stayed here for two nights and wished we could have stay longer. Arriving here was like arriving in paradise; the gardens stunning and full of wildlife, with the accommodation clean, relaxing and with modern touches. The owners were fantastic, helpful, social and so welcoming. Breakfast was delicious served on the balcony. Cannot recommend this place enough!

Cat J

The hosts were really lovely, helpful and informative. The property is excellent and is next to the rainforest. Cassowaries visit the gardens from time to time and if you want to see one, then this is the accommodation to reserve. We enjoyed our two nights there very much.

Jeffrey H

I loved my stay here. The gardens are magical. The free breakfast was delicious. The hosts are lovely and super helpful. I got to see a cassowary for the first time. Highly recommend.

Rachael R

My wife and I had the absolute pleasure of staying here for 2 nights. We could not have been more pleased when we realised the location was set in the countryside. Not only was the setting beautifully positioned off the road but also looked the part too. A real paradise as you go along the driveway to something exceptional. The hosts recommended restaurants to eat at, as well as walks and items that may be of interest. Their cooked breakfast was a terrific start to both days. The rooms are clean and cosy. If you want to relax and be looked after, we highly recommend here. We’ll be back !!!

Adrienne B

Try to stay 2 or 3 days in this paradise. It is so relaxing, peaceful and beautiful! Excellent breakfast. Cassowaries pass by during the day!

Dagmar M

Not very common to stay at a place where every morning the Cassowaries visit! A very special place looked after by special people. Nice special breakfast – home baked bread, special mix yoghurt, local fruits. This is the best place if you like a nice and quiet place to stay, surrounded by tranquil garden and lots of birds. Highly recommended!

Emily W

We picked this place because it looked a little bit different from the regular beachfront accommodation and we weren’t disappointed. As we drove in, we were literally greeted with a Cassowary and his chicks strolling past and disappearing into the rainforest that surrounds this special property. This Cassowary was no stranger either, he hung around. While you are still close to the beach, you get to fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest, and wake up to a beautiful breakfast served high on the deck of this pole home looking down on a tropical garden.

Kim P

The quiet, peacefulness of this property was a tonic for our soul. The breakfast was amazing and the hospitality was helpful warm and respectful. We loved this property.

Murray A

This is one of the best kept secrets in Oz! 6-star experience of a lifetime. This beautiful stay nestled in enveloping, beautifully landscaped luscious tropical gardens, along with meandering local Cassowaries that gives you a feeling of total isolation, yet only minutes to local shops/dining/attractions. Their sumptuous breakfast of homemade bread/jam/cake inc much more, leaves you so fulfilled ready for a day of amazing adventure in this most wonderful place named Mission Beach.

Zena C

We were lucky enough to stay at this lodge for a couple of nights. We were impressed with the impeccably clean rooms, wonderful garden surroundings, fresh fruit and friendly hosts. We got to see one of only a few hundred rare Cassowaries wondering through the garden one morning, which was super special. The lodge has a fantastic location surrounded by World Heritage rainforest on one side and the stunning beaches and the Great Barrier Reef on the other. We loved it at Licuala Lodge and cannot wait to come back again.

W Shim

We really enjoyed our short but delightful stay at this lodge. The room was clean and comfortable. The gardens and pool area are well tended and lovely. Felt we were in the rainforest in this secluded and cosy accommodation. There was a communal area where breakfast was served. Full English breakfast was delicious. Thank you to Dawn and Blair who made us feel so welcome. Only wish we could have stayed longer.

Julie L

Paradise in the rainforest! Beautiful room, nice veranda, great hosts. Nice swimming pool and a delicious breakfast in the morning. And of course Charlie the cassowary who comes by. A truly special stay, highly recommended!

Houkje R

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Google Rating
4.9
Based on 97 reviews
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