Coconut Trees Mission Beach Sarah Latham

Positioned almost halfway between Cairns and Townsville in Tropical North Queensland, Mission Beach is home to an incredible coastline, quaint villages and a diverse wildlife. A sprawling white sand beach connects four villages making Mission Beach the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and just relax.

In addition to its pristine environment and the photo opportunities everywhere you turn (including the famous Mission Beach coconut trees on beach Instagram spot), Mission Beach is teaming with hidden gems and off-the-beaten path experiences. If an authentic Tropical North Queensland getaway is what you’re after, you won’t be disappointed with this one.

Where to Stay in Mission Beach

A popular destination on the East Coast, especially for those roadtripping through Queensland, Mission Beach is not short on accommodation from luxury to budget preferences. Depending on your style, the relaxing Castaways Resort & Spa is located right at the beach, with uninterrupted ocean access. For a more homely experience the Driftwood Bed and Breakfast is the perfect choice, with a boutique restored Queenslander, lush rainforest garden and breakfast served in the fresh air on the veranda.

Mission Beach Castaways Resort and Spa Sarah Latham

Where to Eat in Mission Beach

For a small place, you will be spoilt for choice. Popular local restaurants include Bingil Bay Café. Serving large home-styled meals in a tropical setting, this café is only minutes away from the beach making it a great spot for dinner. If you’re looking for something organic, Ebb and Flow Café have a range of tonics, smoothies, and health foods along with the classic bacon and egg favourites.

Where to Play in Mission Beach

Great Barrier Reef

Mission Beach is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. While most visitors flock to the Reef from Cairns, visiting the Outer Great Barrier Reef with Mission Beach Dive means you experience our extraordinarily vibrant coral and sea life without the crowds.

In addition, while tourists often frequent other islands on the Great Barrier Reef, Dunk Island has remained a hidden paradise. Only a 10 minutes by water taxi, Dunk Island is easily accessible for adults and children and with half the island declared a National Park it is well worth the trip over. For those seeking a little more adventure, Coral Sea Kayaking offers kayaking expeditions across to Dunk Island. Experience the beauty of the ocean and if you’re lucky, spot a few dolphins and turtles along the way.

Hiking Trails

Lacey Creek Rainforest Walk Mission Beach Sarah Latham
Lacey Creek Circuit

Mission Beach also has many walking tracks, from the easy Lacey’s Creek Circuit (30 minutes), to the moderate Dreaming Trail (1.5 hours) and the Children’s Walk (10 minutes, designed especially for children). These trails are all common cassowary spotting locations so keep an eye out for the famous prehistoric bird.

Cassowary Sarah Latham

Wildlife

Prefer to see a saltwater crocodile in the wild? Snapping Tours offers daytime and sunset cruises on the Johnstone River, 40 minutes north of Mission Beach. Learn all about the biodiversity of the region while sipping on complementary drinks and croc spotting one of our most dangerous animals.

Learn to Make Chocolate

If you go home and tell your friends you visited Charley and his chocolate factory they may look at you slightly differently, but that’s exactly what you can do at Mission Beach! Charley’s Chocolate Factory is a local chocolate shop where the cocoa is grown, harvested and made into chocolate on location. Learn the entire chocolate-making process with chocolate tours available, and with complimentary chocolate tasting it’s a hit with adults and children alike.

Snap the famous Mission Beach coconut trees Instagram shot

The famous coconut tree lined beach front has been doing the rounds on social media. To find this Insta-famous location, head towards Castaways Resort & Spa. Once you reach the beach front, turn right (facing the ocean) and walk along until you see the trees.

Mission Beach Instagram Locations Coconut palm trees Sarah Latham

And finally…

Why not spend your day with a book in hand, lounging on the beach. You’re on holiday after all.

See you here soon?

Leave the crowds and cold weather behind with a Mission Beach getaway and return home from this picture perfect paradise with great memories and unique and fun stories to share.