CAIRNS • BABINDA • BRAMSTON BEACH • FLYING FISH POINT ETTY BAY • INNISFAIL • COWLEY BEACH • MENA CREEK CANECUTTER WAY • KURRIMINE BEACH • EL ARISH • DUNK ISLAND MISSION BEACH • TULLY • CARDWELL • HINCHINBROOK ISLAND • LUCINDA INGHAM • PALUMA • BALGAL BEACH • TOWNSVILLE www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
2020 EDITION
PARONELLA PARK....................................... 3
tully..................................................... 34
explore NQTC...........................................5
cardwell.............................................. 36
cairns..................................................... 8
events................................................... 40
babinda..................................................10
inghaM................................................... 42
Bramston Beach......................................12
the hinchinbrook way............................44
camping & caravanning..........................13
explore national parks......................... 46
innisfail..................................................14
adventure wonderland......................... 48
THE canecutter way...............................18
fishing the tropical coast.................... 50
@tropical_coast
kurrimine beach..................................... 22
indigenous culture................................. 54
mission beach........................................ 26
agriculturAL heritage........................... 56
tropicalcoastqueensland
explore NQTC regional map.................... 30
townsville & north.............................. 58
/tropicalcoastqueensland @tropicalcoastqueensland
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
Tropical Coast Tourism Inc. (TCT) is an operator representative group. Its objective is to represent the interests of operators and aligned businesses as the peak voice for tourism, with a focus on marketing the region between Cairns and Townsville. Tropical Coast Tourism Inc., PO Box 50, Mission Beach, Qld 4852 secretary@tropicalcoasttourism.com.au Credits and Thank You: Our wonderful and progressive advertisers, Tourism & Events Queensland, Wet Tropics Management Authority, Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Ovato Print. Photo Source credits: Townsville Enterprise, Tropical Tourism North Queensland, Department of National Parks, Tropical Coast Tourism, Tourism Events Queensland, ozscapes.com, Megan MacKinnon, Kurrimine images by Abby Volpe Photography.
Publishers note: The Publishers, Australian Tourist Publications in conjunction with Tropical Coast Tourism Inc. All information contained in this magazine is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent from Tropical Coast Tourism. While every endeavour has been made to ensure complete accuracy, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors, changes or omissions. Tropical Coast TourismÂŽ Registered Trademark of Tropical Coast Tourism ABN 31 437 851 458.
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Image: Bingil Bay. Front cover image: Mission Beach
paronella park
Then, every evening, there is the ‘Darkness Falls’ tour. Featuring flood lighting of many of the Park’s highlights, courtesy of the newly restored hydro-electric generator, this tour delights guests nightly. Conducted by torchlight, and complemented by sweet little lanterns dotted along the pathways, this is a tour that is certain to give you goosebumps – in a good way! At certain times of the year, there are even fireflies and glowing mushrooms, adding even more magic to the moment.
With the world being such a busy and stressful place, sometimes the best way to take a time out, is to take a step back in time. Paronella Park, built in the 1930’s, is a magical time capsule of history, set in the stunning natural surrounds of Far North Queensland. There, you will be transported, through evocative storytelling, back to the times of croquet, picnics, and enchanting dances, all whilst a backdrop of lush rainforest and the soothing sounds of the waterfall ensures that you are feeling relaxed and reenergised.
The Hydro Tour is, as the name suggests, a tour of the newlyrestored hydro-electric system, which uses power from the waterfall to light up the whole of Paronella Park. If you would like to stay at Paronella Park overnight and extend your experience, also included in your entry price is a site for the night in their boutique caravan/camping park, complete with gas BBQ, hot showers and a coin laundry. And if camping is not for you, for an additional cost, the dream can still continue at Paronella Park with their little cabins. Affordable, and adorable, they are a true complement to the Paronella Park experience.
A pleasant one and a half hour’s drive from Cairns lands you in a fairytale, with castles, bridges, tunnels, and waterfalls, all wrapped up in a story of human triumph. Built by Jose Paronella, a romantic Catalonian, who moved to Australia to build a future for himself and his intended, Paronella Park was voted the Number One Must Do in Queensland, and it’s easy to see why.
The list goes on, with a souvenir map guide and fish food (to feed the resident fish and turtles) also included, not to mention some of the best customer service in Far North Queensland.
Included in your visit to Paronella Park are three very different, but equally captivating guided tours.
Paronella Park has a café, serving fresh food, and the Mena Creek Hotel, serving Aussie pub grub, is only 200 metres down the road.
There is the ‘Dream Continues’ tour, running every half an hour daily, which tells the fascinating story of José Paronella and his Dream. This tour takes in all the highlights of the Park, and really sets the scene for your visit. Feel dwarfed by the imposing pine trees in Kauri Avenue, marvel at Mena Creek Falls, a powerful waterfall that runs all year long, and be delighted by Teresa Falls – a miniature version of the larger falls, built and named for Jose Paronella’s daughter.
Mark and Judy Evans, owners of Paronella Park, have worked hard for 27 years to provide the best possible visitor experience to all guests of Paronella Park – why not come down and discover (or re-discover!) one of Far North Queensland’s true hidden treasures.
Front cover image: [insert photographer's name]
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An eco adventure wonderland
It’s all about exploring—designed by nature. This magazine takes you on a journey north to south, but the experience works equally as well either way. Use the maps to help you plan where to stay and base yourself. Remember it’s a guide only. For full details, check the websites and don’t hesitate to ask a local.
Mamu Tropical Skywalk
Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef
World class natural experiences designed by nature
The North Queensland Tropical Coast is a unique part of Australia and an absolutely unique part of North Queensland. It features world class natural experiences, no crowds, no rush and no stress. This amazing destination is built to Explore. It can be discovered in line with your own flexibility in your own time and your own vehicle. It is a driving delight.
You will find more 3-star options than 5-star, but the inspiring landscapes are rated some of the best in the World, at least 7-star, and “of outstanding value to humanity” (UNESCO).
The 350 kilometres between Cairns and Townsville can be completed by car in about five hours. But don’t do it!
It’s not really a problem to decide which end to start your journey. If you arrive on a flight into Cairns, it makes sense to travel South. If you arrive in Townsville, you will travel North. The choice is yours and it works equally well from both locations.
You’ll want to take the time to turn down that road, take a walk, check out this beach, that pub, or just stop as you discover this amazing region. Give yourself a week to fully appreciate its unique appeal. It is traversed by Australia’s National Highway One but be aware that many of the highlights are off the highway. And the next town is about a 30-minute drive so just relax and take in the adventure.
And once you have experienced the destination’s uniqueness, please tell your friends and family about its wonderful features … and this great magazine.
Barefoot millionaires abound in the area, but don’t worry, be happy, as you will be given the same friendly welcome where ever you go.
Josephine Falls
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CAIRNS TO TOWNSVILLE
Kurrimine Beach
The quiet, long beach of Kurrimine is the main attraction, where you can see Manta Rays trawling the shallows and turtles coming in to nest. This small town boasts a winery, a beachfront pub, a cafe, a post office, petrol station and general store.
Coast through the 350 kilometres between Cairns and Townsville to get the big picture and experience this absolutely unique part of Tropical North Queensland.
Tully
Tully is recognised as the capital of white water rafting thanks to the Tully River and internationally renowned white-water rapids which attract thousands of visitors from all over the globe. The town is also famous as the wettest place in Australia, with an annual average rainfall of 4.27 metres. Given Tully’s reputation as the wettest town in Australia it seemed only natural that their ‘big thing’ to attract tourists is a giant gumboot.
Babinda
Babinda is a small sugar town located 60 kilometres South of Cairns. Crystal clear mountain streams, pristine rainforests and spectacular waterfalls portray Babinda as a hidden paradise often overlooked by travellers as just another North Queensland township. The main attractions are the Babinda Boulders and Josephine Falls – two of the most beautiful attractions of Tropical North Queensland.
Cardwell
On the Highway South of Tully is Cardwell boasting a dynamic waterfront activity trail complete with million dollar views out over the islands of historic Rockingham Bay and home to an array of marine life including the Dugong. Fishing is a must do in Cardwell. There is a variety of species found amongst mangrove fringed creeks and rivers, offshore islands and channels, or on the Great Barrier Reef.
Bramston Beach
Bramston Beach is a 45 minute drive south of Cairns. To reach this quiet and unspoiled beach, turn left at Mirriwinni, a small township on the Bruce Highway.
Mission Beach
This quiet stretch of the tropical North Queensland coast is the closest point to the great barrier reef on the mainland. Flanked by lush rainforest, the dreamy beachside enclave of Mission Beach is at its heart. Mission Beach is uncommercialised and full of genuine locals who will let you into their secret swimming holes, or have a chat in one of the local bars.
Hinchinbrook Island
Hinchinbrook is a 40-minute boat trip from Cardwell. The narrow, mangrove-lined Hinchinbrook Channel separates the island from the mainland. Dive the Great Barrier Reef, go snorkelling, take a walk through the virgin rainforest to isolated beaches, or fish the world-renowned waters.
Innisfail
Townsville
Innisfail, only 88 kilometres south of Cairns and is a popular destination for backpackers who work in the banana industry. Founded more than 110 years ago when the region developed as a sugar growing and timber producing area the town is well known for its Art Deco buildings. Visitors can take a self-guided walk around town with the help of a brochure from the Innisfail Visitors Information Centre.
Ideal for families, couples and friends to explore tropical islands, wetlands, the Great Barrier Reef, wet tropics rainforests and a glorious beachfront in warm tropical weather. No matter what your holiday style, Townsville offers you a diverse range of historical, military, outback, island, active and tranquil experiences.
Sunrise at Mission Beach
Kennedy Walking Track, Lugger Bay
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Cairns
Important agricultural area, surrounded by wild rivers and misty mountains. Driving south of Cairns you will commence your journey to The North Tropical Coast your first stop with be the township of Babinda.
Mount Bellenden Ker Harvey Creek Deeral Frankland Islands Fishery Falls Behana Gorge Aloomba Walsh's Pyramid Goldsborough Valley Gordonvale Cairns Airport
From Babinda you will pass Harvey Creek, a great spot for a cool dip. Turn off the highway at Deeral, a fishing haven offering river and ocean fishing options. The Frankland Group National Park is a group of five islands just 10km offshore from the river mouth. Snorkel with turtles straight off the shore, discover rock pools or walk around Normanby Island. The islands can be accessed by private boat or take a day tour. Use either the Russell (Bellenden Ker) or Mulgrave (Deeral) river boat ramps.
Swim with the turtles at Franklin Islands
FAST FACTS
EXPLORE
Historical fact
Events
Set up as a port to service the northern gold rush.
Local interests
A modern city, all sports and a diversity of leisure interests are catered for.
Famous for
International Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and scenic drive.
Cairns Ironman & Adventure Festival, RRR and Croc Trophy Mountain Bike races, Pyramid race, Cairns Show and Cairns Amateurs – Horse Racing Carnival.
Swim Spots
Harvey Creek at Bellenden Ker, Aloomba (Behana Creek), Mulgrave River at Goldsborough Valley, Cairns Esplanade Lagoon.
Taste
Seafood fresh from the Coral Sea.
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
www.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
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Fishery Falls has a caravan park in lovely landscaped gardens. Stop for a cold beer and a chat with the locals, before heading north again.
Palm Cove
To Cooktown
Kuranda Range CORAL SEA
Mareeba
Sheridan Street
Kuranda
d oa eR av r ulg ass M Byp rn the u o S
Atherton Tablelands
Walshs Pyramid
BRUCE HWY
Atherton
ity
in Tr
Gillies Range
Cairns
Soon you will see the distinctive Walshs Pyramid, one of the highest freestanding natural pyramids in the world. The difficult hike to the summit is only 6km, but takes around six hours return.
Esplanade Lagoon Pool
et
Inl
Gordonvale grew up around its sugar mill, the Mulgrave Central Sugar Mill in the heart of the town. Nearby is the Mulgrave Settlers Museum where you can discover what life was like in the pioneering days of the late 1800s.
Gordonvale
Goldsborough Valley
Aloomba
Behana Gorge
The Gillies Highway, another gateway to the Atherton Tablelands, is at Gordonvale. Famous for its 263 corners, this steep road has an 800m elevation change in only 19km of road. Goldsborough Valley in the northern section of Wooroonooran National Park is where you can enjoy the scenic Mulgrave River. The clear flowing water and deep pools are perfect for swimming, canoeing and fishing.
To Franklin Islands
Mulgra
Fishery Falls
Deeral Malanda
Look for the turn off from the Bruce Highway to Aloomba to cool off at Behana Creek causeway where you also will find toilets and a picnic area. On the other side of the highway, Behana Gorge also offers hiking and swimming options.
Cairns Airport
ve Rive r Russel l Ri
ver
Harvey Creek Mt. Bellenden Ker
Babinda
Millaa Millaa
From Gordonvale it is only 20km to Cairns, a large regional city with an international airport. Cairns is the gateway to Tropical North Queensland and attracts more than two million visitors each year.
Mt. Bartle Frere
Palmerston Hwy
To Gordonvale / Innisfail
Innisfail
CAIRNS
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Babinda
Agriculturally rich and proud historic town on two mighty Wet Tropics rivers.
Mirriwinni Bramston Beach Eubenangee Swamp The BoulderS Mount Bartle Frere
Babinda Picture Theatre
Around the Babinda and Bramston Beach region there are many wet or dry recreational pursuits to thrill you! Often you cannot plan the weather but these outdoor experiences should get you cool, wet or at least exposed to the water: fishing at Bramston Beach; swimming at The Boulders; bird watching in a significant habitat national park; or kayaking along the gentle Babinda Creek. Paintballing through a unique rainforest mountain park with a large group will have you sweating at least. Finish off by downing an icy cold beer at the main pub – real wet options! Alternatively, the dry options include: relaxing with a great coffee and a good book at the café in Bramston Beach; or enjoying a picnic basket of fresh pastries from the bakery at a local swimming hole. Maybe drop into the Babinda Information Centre to find out more about local history and activities. Get yourself really comfortable in a deck chair and watch a latest release movie in a truly unique local theatre. Again, an icy cold beer and a steak will ensure you have completed a balanced (and dry) recreational experience!
FAST FACTS
EXPLORE
Historical fact
Events
Officially Australia’s wettest town.
Local interests
Fishing, golf, lawn bowls, touch football, kayaking, hunting, paintballing, junior rugby league and swimming.
Famous for
The only hotel in Queensland ever (1917) constructed by the State Government.
The Babinda Harvest Festival and The Feast of Saint Rita. Kayaking along Babinda Creek
Swim Spots
Town pool, The Boulders, Babinda Creek, Howard Kennedy Drive, Bramston Beach, Josephine Falls and Harvey Creek (Hwy North).
Taste
An icy cold beer from a government-built hotel! Babinda Bakery
1 Munro Street, Babinda | P 07 4067 1008 | www.babindainfocentre.com.au ~ 10 ~
Babinda Boulders
As you drive along Bruce Highway from Innisfail, take the turn off at Mirriwinni to explore Eubenangee Swamp National Park. This wetland with more than 190 bird species is world renowned. Water birds are prolific, birds of prey circle overhead, the vulnerable crimson finch can be seen in the grasslands and crocodiles are sometimes spotted in the Alice River.
To Gordonvale /Cairns Hervey Creek
Babinda Boulders
Babinda ad ers Ro Bould
Swimming Hole
Babinda Creek
Ro ad
BRUCE H WY
St ag er
Drive further to the peaceful village of Bramston Beach. The beach has a stinger net and a small range of accommodation including caravan park, motel, B&Bs and holiday homes. Bramston Beach is a popular fishing spot; anglers can expect to catch bream, grunter, whiting and possibly a jumping cod from the beach at the right time of year. From Bramston Beach you can access the Russell River National Park with a 4WD to camp or fish.
dy ne en K rd ve wa Dri Ho
Bramston Beach
MirRiwinni
Rd
Eubenangee Swamp Ba rtl eF re re
Josephine Falls
Babinda is framed by Queensland’s two highest mountains, Mt Bartle Frere (1622m), and Mt Bellenden Ker (1593m) which gets an average 10-12 metres of rain each year. The rural township subsequently boasts the highest rainfall in Australia, with average precipitation in excess of 4m. Here some of the region’s most challenging and rewarding trails cross this rugged World Heritage area. Take a dip in the cool mountain water of the Babinda Boulders, a pretty reserve with a picnicground, safe swimming area, campground and signposted walks. Downstream the creek settles to offer a unique experience to swim or kayak in clear waters alive with fish, turtles and even platypus. In the Babinda township itself you will find Art Deco buildings, an historic hotel, friendly shops and services as well as the Babinda Information Centre. The Babinda Air Raid Shelter is Queensland’s most intact World War 2 public air raid shelter and now serves as a brightly painted toilet block.
Golden Hole
BABINDA
To Innisfail / Townsville
The heritage-listed Babinda State Hotel was built from rainforest timbers in 1917 by the Queensland Government as part of a policy to stop sly grogging by monopolising the liquor supply. The hotel was the sole government enterprise established during this period of Labor government to turn a profit.
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
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Bramston Beach Bramston Beach is a small community blessed with a calm tropical lifestyle nestled between the foot of its Russell River National Park mountain backdrop and a beach lapped by the gentle waves of the Coral Sea. To reach this quiet and relaxed village, turn left at Mirriwinni, a small township situated on the Bruce Highway, and head for the water. It is approximately 45 minutes south of Cairns by car. The town is named after an early generation Queensland politician, Sir John Bramston, and the area’s earliest inhabitants were the Djiru Aboriginal people whose villages, as some of the first Europeans found, consisted of large huts with multiple entrances. Bramston Beach is a tropical oasis where you can enjoy uninterrupted ocean views and possibly spot a local pod of dolphins that regularly cruise the bay. Visitors can explore the national park’s Graham Range section or simply escape for a languid walk along the beautiful sandy foreshore.
Swimming at Bramston Beach
After a busy day of exploring, there are plenty of wonderful cafes where you can buy a great feed, including fresh fish and chips. The mood of the area reflects the nature of the locals who are slightly older than the average population. Bramston Beach is popular with caravanners and those in the know say it is a good fishing location. The critically acclaimed 1998 Hollywood movie The Thin Red Line, starring the likes of Nick Nolte, Sean Penn, George Clooney and Woody Harrelson, was partially filmed on Bramston Beach.
The beach is a turtle nesting area where conservation is a high priority, but it is also prone to being visited by crocodiles, so caution is recommended.
Low tide at Bramston Beach
Storm brewing
Ocean views
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Camping and Caravanning A unique feature of the Tropical Coast is the opportunity to stay in caravan and camping grounds with ocean, river and rainforest views. Cassowary Coast Regional Council owns and runs several caravan parks and camping grounds in the region. Campers and caravaners are welcome to stay for up to four weeks in each camping area except Hull Heads where the longest stay is four nights. Please register on arrival. There are no forward bookings except for Garden Island which must be booked before arrival. Dogs are always welcome at all camping spots except Garden Island but need to be kept on a lead. No dogs are allowed on Dunk Island or Etty Bay.
Council also owns caravan parks and camping grounds that are privately leased and operated: • River Drive – in Innisfail with Johnstone River frontage. Ph. 07 4061 2515 • Flying Fish Point – on the beachfront road with a rainforest backdrop about a 10-minute drive east from Innisfail. Ph. 07 4061 3131 • Etty Bay – beachfront south of Innisfail with a rainforest backdrop. Ph 07 4063 2314 • Mission Beach Camping and Caravan Park – beachfront. Ph. 07 4210 6078 Council co-manages other camping areas: • Dunk Island – forms part of the Family Islands National Park. Ph. 137 468.
• Kurrimine Beach (On the beachfront) * Kurrimine Beach Caravan Park amenities will be closed for upgrade
work from January 28, 2020 for approximately three months. There may be inaccessible sites and construction noise during works. Council apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.
It will ensure portaloos are available onsite and cold-water showers at Taifolas Park Amenities Block. During this closure please contact Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park on 07 4065 6166. • Bingil Bay – on the beachfront at the northern end of Bingil Bay Beach, which is north of Mission Beach • Hull Heads – river frontage a stone's throw from the beach off Luff St • G arden Island – off Cardwell near Hinchinbrook Island. Transport can be arranged through Absolute North Charters & Hinchinbrook Island Ferries
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Innisfail
Agriculturally rich and proud historic town on two mighty Wet Tropics rivers.
Mourilyan Etty Bay Mourilyan Harbour Coquette Point Warrina Lakes The Coconuts Flying Fish Point Ella Bay Palmerston Highway Misty Mountains Garradunga Woopen Creek Josephine Falls
The small town of Mourilyan, is just 10 minutes south of Innisfail. This once bustling town has an historic Queenslander pub and art deco theatre which is now part of the Australian Sugar Heritage Centre complex. The Sugar Museum will show you how green stalks become refined white crystals for your tea. This is an ideal all-weather option (wet day or hot days) to discover history that is a major part of the region and its cultural diversity.
Mourilyn
Historic tractors, locomotives, harvesters and a working model of a 500-horsepower driven crushing engine are on display with a collection of contemporary and historical photographs and artefacts related to Australia’s sugar industry. A new exhibit is based around the historic cane barracks which are still seen around the region.
Innisfail
FAST FACTS
EXPLORE
Historical fact
Events
Est 1879 originally named Geraldton, Innisfail was renamed at a public meeting in 1910 after a ship confused towns and travelled to Geraldton, Western Australia.
Feast of the Senses (Mar), Innisfail Billfish Tournament (Sep), Horse Racing Annual (Oct), Innisfail Show, Concerts, Major Art competitions, Art Deco Tours and Festivals.
Local interests
Swim Spots
A famous rugby league town, soccer, tennis, golf, swimming, Josephine Falls, Ella Bay, cricket, skydiving, fishing, hunting, outrigger canoeing, horse racing, Croc and Wildlife Tours.
Town Pool, Warrina Lakes pool, Polly’s Creek (north of town), Josephine Falls (from here you can tackle Bartle Frere and hike to summit), Henrietta Creek (Palmerston Hwy), Etty Bay.
Famous for
Taste
Art deco buildings, built after the cyclone in 1918 which destroyed almost every building in town.
Tropical fruits from shops and road side stalls. You must have a local banana! Local fresh caught seafood. Local vanilla and local coffee.
Anzac Memorial Park, Innisfail | P 0428 228 962 ~ 14 ~
Innisfail art deco
Josephine Falls
Palmerston Highway
At the northern outskirts of Innisfail is the turnoff to the Palmerston Highway, a gateway to the Atherton Tablelands. A unique two-hour drive takes you through wonderful terrain to the top of the dividing range and the rich, fertile soils and different landscapes of the Atheron Tablelands, passing through towns such as Millaa Millaa, Ravenshoe, Malanda and Atherton. Many of the World Heritage experiences close to Innisfail are located in the Wooroonooran National Park via the highway. The picturesque mountain road features spectacular lookouts and walking tracks along the way through the Palmerston (Doongan) section of the Park. More than 500 rainforest tree species grow in this part of the Wet Tropics, and you can see many epiphytes such as basket ferns plus wildlife like the little musky rat-kangaroo, double-eyed fig-parrot and the endemic chowchilla. A little further on is Crawfords Lookout which also has views over the Gorge and is a starting point for a difficult walk into the Gorge. Gooligans picnic area and Henrietta Creek camping area are bases to walk a number of waterfall tracks, rated easy or moderate. Walk to a choice of three falls, the highlight being Nandroya Falls. There are many swimming holes in this beautiful stretch of rainforest. From Henrietta Creek, the 130km network of Misty Mountains walking tracks are accessible.
Southern Cassowary
To Cairns & Babinda
Golf
Town Centre
Train Station Joss House
Flying Fish Point
The EsplanAde
To Atherton Tablelands
No rth Joh nst on Warrina Lakes eR ive Botanical Gardens r
Town Pool
Coquette Point
Ri ve r
Exploring the Palmerston Highway
Etty Bay
Y E HW BRUC
So ut h
Jo hn st on e
AY ER W CUTT CANE
Sugar Museum
Mourilyan
innisfail
To Silkwood, Tully and Mission Beach
Mourilyan Harbour
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
View of Innisfail from South Johnstone River
~ 15 ~
Mourilyn Harbour
Turn off the Bruce Highway to Mourilyan Harbour, a natural deep harbour with facilities for loading bulk sugar, molasses, live cattle and wood chip. For locals and visitors it also offers excellent boat launching facilities and has a Coast Guard station. Also accessible from this road is stunning Etty Bay, an ideal place to picnic, eat or to stay. Set among the Moresby Range National Park which hugs the coastline, this special beach offers safe swimming with a stinger net and surf lifesaver patrols on weekends. It is an unspoilt holiday spot with a caravan park and general store. Tropical fruit
AMAZING SIGHT: Resident cassowaries are a common sight emerging from the rainforest and walking without a care on the beach at Etty Bay.
Innisfail
The seat of local government is found in Innisfail. The Cassowary Coast Regional Council is a major employer in the region that runs from Innisfail to Cardwell. Innisfail is built on an area where the twin rivers of the South and North Johnstone Rivers meet, mighty waterways that fall from the ancient and World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics rainforests. Stop and enjoy the waterside location of Fitzgerald Esplanade where a coffee or a stroll should be on your ‘to do’ list. For the more adventurous, try a croc and wildlife tour.
Historic Innisfail
Innisfail is an ideal location to base a stay, and accommodation includes motels, van parks, B&Bs and backpacker hostels.
Queens Hotel
~ 16 ~
The town has a vibrant retail centre with some national stores and many smaller specialty shops. A highlight is Indigenous art gallery Jitta Art where you might just catch a didgeridoo workshop or a new exhibition. Innisfail has a large and diverse range of Art Deco buildings. The CBD was largely rebuilt in this style following a cyclone in 1918 which destroyed much of the town. Today you can explore the buildings on The Innisfail Town Walk where you also will find The Chinese Joss House, one of only a few still in use in Queensland.
Cassowary chick at Etty Bay
Still in town, Warrina Lakes is a 50 hectare recreational park with kilometres of walkways through open parkland, lakes, wooded areas and rainforest trails. Within the park you can visit the Bushtucker Gardens, established by the Ma:Mu traditional owners, the Bill Markwell Botanical Gardens and Anzac Grove. Ducks and geese can be seen in the lake and there is a swimming pool, barbecues, picnic tables, a playground with boccé and volleyball equipment available, or fly a kite or kick the footy in the wide open spaces.
Hidden Gem with Cassowary Beach Patrols
This is a very popular spot for locals and visitors looking for a gorgeous beach to spend the day. A family of the icon Southern Cassowary patrols the beach most days. The Etty Bay Caravan Park & kiosk has absolute beach frontage, where the cassowary roam freely. Here you can swim with confidence with the friendly crew from the Etty Bay Surf Lifesaving Club surpervising the beach.
Cross the southern bridge to follow the river down to the headland at Coquette Point, a marvellous high point from which to see the district, its two rivers and the coastline. Crossing the northern bridge on Flying Fish Point Road, track the north side of the river for a pretty drive to The Coconuts where the river meets the ocean, and on to Flying Fish Point where you can throw in a line from the beach. Stop here for a picnic or meal of fish and chips, or stay in the caravan park.
Cowley Beach
Travelling north, Cowley Beach is located further along your journey, just 20 minutes from Innisfail. Here you will find a quiet beachfront hamlet that has a kiosk and caravan park. Throw a line in Liverpool Creek for mangrove jack, barramundi, bream and flathead or use the boat ramp to head out to the Barnard Islands.
Coquette Park
LOCAL'S SECRET: Around the many country roads you will find roadside stalls offering fresh tropical fruits and vegetables. These stalls mostly rely on an honesty system for cash payment, hence the name “honesty box". Innisfail’s annual Feast of the Senses celebrates the region’s produce with a market day extravaganza featuring farmers’ markets, cooking demonstrations and a celebrity cook-off. Various activities are held either side of the main event and include farm tours, a poet’s breakfast and gala dinner featuring local produce. Continuing your journey out of Innisfail over the North Johnstone River is the turnoff to the back roads of Garradunga and its famous pub, said to be haunted. On the highway beyond the Russell River is the turnoff to Josephine Falls, a favourite waterfall among some stiff competition along the Bruce Highway. This section of Wooroonooran National Park has a short, easy walk from the car park through lush rainforest to lookouts and a popular picnic area. It’s a great place to swim and slide down rocks, but take note of the warnings.
~ 17 ~
The Canecutter Way
Famous for its combination of history and magnificent North Queensland scenery.
Kurrimine Beach Silkwood Nyletta Creek Japoonvale Liverpool Creek Mena Creek Paronella Park South Johnstone Wangan Innisfail
Between Silkwood and Innisfail is the alternative scenic route, The Canecutter Way. The drive takes you through small rural communities with lots to see and do. You can cool off in a swimming hole, discover local craft, enjoy a cold beer or explore romantic ruins. Locally grown beef, award-winning meat pies, fresh fruit and even chocolate from local cocoa can be found at shops and fruit stalls along the way. Starting at Kurrimine Beach, the drive passes through cane and fruit farms with towns like Silkwood, Japoonvale, Mena Creek, South Johnstone and Wangan in between. The tiny town of Silkwood is the site of Australia’s largest religious and cultural festival, the Feast of the Three Saints, which is held the first Sunday in May. Mass is celebrated in honour of the Saints and the family event includes a parade, feast, live band and great fireworks. Silkwood is where you will find Australia’s only pepper farm or see the country’s smallest National Australia Bank.
FAST FACTS
EXPLORE
Six Villages, 52 kilometres, Beach – Hinterland
Events
Historical fact
Old Bruce Highway and popular respite stop for American and Aussie troops in World War II.
Local interests
Live music, bush poetry, local markets, horse sports, mountain hiking and biking, camping and waterfall picnics.
Famous for
Paronella Park, the realisation of one man's dream to build a castle in the rainforest.
Feast of the Three Saints Silkwood. Bush Poets Breakfast Mena Creek, Community Night Markets 3rd Friday of the month Kurrimine Beach.
Swim Spots
Kurrimine Beach and Etty Bay.
Taste
Local Wines and Liquors, Chocolate and Honey. Paronella Park
www.canecutterway.com.au ~ 18 ~
The Queenslander-style country hotels are always a good option to visit for a counter meal or burger and some local entertainment, whether it is a trivia night or a game of pool. If you wish to stay a little longer to fully explore the area, discover life on a farm-stay with a resident bush poet and entertaining working dogs. Other choices include cabins, selfcontained cottages in spectacular gardens, and a caravan park. One of The Canecutter Way’s most romantic stories is found at the celebrated Paronella Park in Mena Creek. Created in the 1930s by Spanish immigrant José Paronella, his vision included Spanish-themed castles and a grand ballroom, powered by his own hydro electric generator, and framed by magnificent gardens, lakeside tunnels, fountains and bridges. The heritage of the sugar industry remains visible along the road, with many old cane barracks (houses) still standing. As you come into South Johnstone during the cane harvesting season that starts in June you will smell the sweet aroma of sugar being processed at the mill. Cane trains operate down the main street of this quaint town, a must see with interesting local businesses.
Murdering Point Winery
Situated less than 2km off the Bruce Highway on the way to Kurrimine Beach, and opened 7 days from 9.30am – 5.00pm, Murdering Point Winery provides a welcome break for tourists travelling the Great Tropical Drive and is the gateway to The Canecutter Way. Visitors are invited to enjoy tastings and to learn the history of the region in the unpretentious surroundings of the cellar door and tropical landscaped gardens.
Paronella Park
To Babinda / Cairns
Innisfail
Mamu Canopy Walk South Johnstone Pub
Mourilyan BRUCE HW Y
To Atherton Tablelands
Mourilyan Harbour
Paronella Park Mena Creek
Pub
Cowley Beach
Kanaka Housing Liverpool Creek Waterhole
Silkwood
Bow
ling Club Fuel Pub Food
Winery
No 4
Bran
ch Rd
Japoonvale Nyletta Creek Swimming
Kurrimine Beach
El Arish
Mission Beach
BRUCE HW Y
Tully To Cardwell / Townsville
Murdering Point Winery offers mango, passionfruit, lychee, Davidson plum, jaboticaba, ginger, ginseng, mulberry, pineapple, black sapote, banana, vanilla, coffee, chocolate and mint as premium wines, ports, liqueurs and creams. A guided wine tasting is on hand whereby visitors will learn the region’s colourful history including a discussion on the indigenous Australian bush tucker and exotic tropical fruits used in the wines and also view the working winery from a specially designed platform.
Etty Bay
Pub
Wangan
THE CANECUTTER WAY
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
Murdering Point Winery
~ 19 ~
Mena Creek
Mena Creek, a small country town behind the Basilisk Range, is 8km south-west of Innisfail and 75km south of Cairns. The creek is the headwater portion of Stewart Creek. There are at least two possible origins of its name. The first is that it was named by Henry Noone after his daughter Philomena (1911-2005). The second that it derives from Mena Camp, Cairo, where the First Australian Imperial Force trained prior to the Gallipoli landing in 1915. This is in keeping with other Egyptianderived places names in the area (such as El Arish). The creek enters the South Johnstone River. Noone took up land in Mena Creek in the early 1900s for sugar cane farming and was influential in persuading a Queensland Royal Commission on central mills to recommend the mill at South Johnstone. One of the Cassowary Coast’s most notable beauty spots is the Mena Creek Falls, a sight so stunning that in 1929 it inspired a Spanish immigrant named José Paronella to settle there and begin constructing Paronella Park – a pleasure gardens at the base of the waterfall. He filled it with hand-constructed castles, bridges, tunnels, and 7,500 plants and trees – even building a miniature copy of the large waterfall inside. The fascinating story of José, and his dream to build this park against all odds, is best told by the on-site Tour Guides at Paronella Park today.
Mena Creek Falls
~ 20 ~
Mamu Tropical Skywalk Take a walk in the clouds in Wooroonooran National Park just 15 minutes out of Innisfail. Elevated walkways, a cantilever, and observation tower offer visitors the exhilarating experience of being high in the rainforest canopy, along with providing spectacular panoramic views of World Heritage rainforest landscapes. Guests to the Mamu Tropical Skywalk are presented with an opportunity to be completely immersed in the rainforest. They can walk under it, through it, and above it, and hear its stories. The Skywalk allows visitors to explore the rainforest from the forest floor to the canopy, in comfort and safety. Through audio guides available in 9 different languages, guests are told stories about the Mamu Rainforest People, the volcanic activity that formed the landscape they see stretching for miles around them, the diversity of the World Heritage Rainforest and its importance, and the impacts of early European settlers.
Mamu Tropical Skywalk
Features:
The Skywalk passes through one of the largest-remaining continuous stands of complex vine forest on basalt soils in the Wet Tropics. Enjoy close-up views of rainforest plants, insects and birds, and take in sweeping vistas. Informational signs tell of the rainforest’s complex web of life and the rich culture and history of the area.
An elevated walkway, 350m long, rising from ground level to 15m above the ground, meandering through the canopy of lush tropical rainforest. A 10m long cantilever and a 37m high observation tower with two viewing decks, providing spectacular views over the North Johnstone River Gorge and surrounding rainforest-clad peaks.
The highest rainforest observation tower in Queensland, the Mamu Tropical Skywalk is the perfect place to feel on top of the world.
More than 1100m of forest walking tracks, connecting the elevated walkway, cantilever, a tower, rest shelters presenting information about the history and heritage of Mamu rainforest.
~ 21 ~
Kurrimine Beach
A beachside haven where The Great Barrier Reef nearly touches the coastline.
Silkwood Murdering Point King Reef Maria Creek The Canecutter Way
The first thing you notice about beautiful Kurrimine Beach is all the old tractors – every home seems to have one. They are needed to launch boats from the tidal boat ramp at the northern end of the beach. The quiet, long beach alongside King Reef is the main attraction and it’s here you can see manta rays trawling the beach shallows and turtles coming in to nest. There is a stinger net, children’s playground and picnic barbecue facilities at Taifalos Park. Absolute beachfront camping is available or you can choose from a resort, award-winning caravan parks, motel and holiday rentals. The town is serviced by a winery, beachfront hotel, cafes, a fish and chip shop, post office and a service station with limited groceries.
A day out crabbing with Kurrimine Boat hire
Walk on King Reef at low tide
FAST FACTS
EXPLORE
Historical fact
Events
Originally named Murdering Point in reference to the fate of shipwrecked survivors who were eaten by local Aboriginal people.
Local interests
Fishing, spearfishing, snorkelling, diving, archery, rifle range and horse riding on the beach.
Famous for
Walk to the Reef and Tractors – finest collection of old tractors still used to launch fishing boats.
Kurrimine Beach Fishing Competition, Classic Car Show, Night Markets.
Swim Spots
Kurrimine Beach (nets in season), Water Park and local waterholes.
Taste
Tropical Fruit Wines, freshly caught fish and the famous King Reef Cray.
A stunning Coral Trout in the shallow waters of Kurrimine Beach
Phone (07) 4065 6144 | www.canecutterway.com.au ~ 22 ~
Kurrimine is a favourite fishing spot where anglers have a choice of beach, estuary or reef fishing. Abundant species of fish and the famous painted crayfish are just waiting a couple of hundred metres offshore. There’s an all tide boat ramp close by at Maria Creek. This community has the largest fishing club in Queensland and holds a fishing competition each September that attracts more than 700 participants. The Barnard Island Group National Park is close by and comprises seven islands: Bresnahan, Hutchinson, Jessie, Kent and Lindquist (North Barnard islands) and Sisters and Stephens (South Barnard islands). You can snorkel straight from the small sandy beaches over beautiful coral to see colourful fish, turtles and maybe a dugong. This area is a green zone so no fishing is allowed. Kurrimine Beach is just half an hour from the towns of Innisfail, Tully and Mission Beach and is in a rain shadow area that receives much less precipitation than surrounding areas.
Pristine waters of Kurrimiine Beach
Kurrimine Beach National Park
To Innisfail / Cairns
Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park
Silkwood Caravan Park Service Station Post Office Motel
Winery
BRUC E HW Y
Canecu tter Wa y
Tidal boat ramp Playground & Toilets
Prawn Farm
Stinger Nets
KURRIMINE Caravan Park & Pub
Old Kanaka Housing
Paddy Illict Conservation Park
King Reef
aC ree k
Maria Creek
Beach Entrance
To M ari
All tides boat ramp
Mou
th
3km
Caravan Park
To Tully / Townsville
KURRIMINE BEACH
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
~ 23 ~
Walk to the Reef
Walk to the Reef Kurrimine Beach is one of the closest beaches to the Great Barrier Reef – we are so close that we can walk out to explore King Reef on very low tides. To visit the reef usually involves a boat trip with seventy plus other guests and a cost in excess of $150! Well here at Kurrimine Beach you can walk out and explore the reef for free – that’s absolutely no charge. The only rule that we have in town is that anyone who picks up a crayfish must share it! If you would like to partake in the walk bring some shoes with you that you don’t mind getting wet – reef shoes are perfect! It is approximately a 800m walk through thigh high water to get out to the reef and usually takes about 30-45 mins.
Sunset view at Kurrimine Beach
Ensure you take local advice on where to leave from, what times you should be heading out and back in and any other questions you may have. Usually there are quite a few people heading out and they do so as a group. Please note the walk to the reef experience is only available on winter low tides under 0.4m.
Coral exposed on King Reef at low tide
Exploring King Reef, very low tide
~ 24 ~
Silkwood Hotel
Silkwood
Silkwood, a rural town, is 90km south-east of Cairns and 25km south of Innisfail. It was named after a tree-covered hill, which could have had any of several 'silkwood' species native to north Queensland and valued for furniture or building. In all cases the timber displays a silky lustre. The name was given by A.J. Daveson to the house he built in the early 1900s, and when a postal facility was established in his house it was named the Silkwood office. Silkwood was at the junction of the tramlines from Maria Creek and Liverpool Creek/Japoonvale where bananas were grown and timber taken out. A school opened in 1916. In 1919 a sawmill was opened at Silkwood, cutting, among other things, sleepers for the Cairns to Ingham railway connection. The line reached Silkwood in 1924. There were ambitious plans to open up lands for tropical fruit and dairying, and toward the late 1920s settlers at Japoonvale and Silkwood obtained a government subsidised dairy at Silkwood. It also drew on suppliers at Mena Creek and Utchee Creek, continuing until the 1940s when the Millaa Millaa factory came into operation. Many of the dairy farms changed to beef cattle. Silkwood's population approached 800 in the 1930s, and the Post Office Directory (1935) recorded two hotels, a cash store, Silkwood Caen Stores, a butcher, a baker, several other shops and Silkwood Motors.
El Arish
Just off the Bruce Highway in the Mission Beach hinterland is the World War 1 soldier settlement village of El Arish. The town is named after a major battleground in Palestine where the light horsemen defeated the Turks. It has strong historical links, with streets named after military generals and battle sites, and one of the region’s largest Anzac Day services is held at the cenotaph. The old railway station has been relocated and converted as El Arish History Station and the original canecutters hotel, built in 1927 and now a tavern, has memorabilia on display. There is a small caravan park, popular golf course and country club. A creek at the southern end of the village on Old Tully Road is ideal for a picnic or swim. El Arish became a real success story in an ambitious Commonweath Government initiative to rehabilitate returned service men after WW1. In many other parts of the country these returned soldier settlements were a disaster with many walking off their land,finding the daunting task of clearing the land and building the farm just too hard. El Arish was luckyEighty returned soldiers initially settled in the El Arish area. Their endeavors by 1925 meant that the farms were producing 40,000 tonnes of cane and in that year the Tully Mill began operating.
The present day town has local shops and tradespeople, a hotel, a bowling club and State and Catholic primary schools (1916, 1948). The town's District Action Group carried out town improvements to maintain the population level, and received a regional achiever award in 2004. Two years later Cyclone Larry roared through Silkwood, damaging or unroofing nearly all the houses. On 3 February 2011 the Category 5 Cyclone Yasi crossed the Queensland coast centred 50km south of Silkwood. Although having some protection by its inland location, Silkwood’s houses and businesses suffered damage and destruction.
Smallest Bank in Australia, Silkwood
El Arish Tavern
~ 25 ~
Mission Beach
Idyllic tropical beaches, World Heritage rainforest and Great Barrier Reef islands.
Djiru National Park Family Islands South Mission Beach Bedarra Island Wongaling Beach Dunk Island Mission Beach Clump Point Bingil Bay Garners Beach El Arish
Tranquil Mission Beach is where you will find beautiful sandy beaches lined with coconut palms and tropical islands close enough to paddle to. This picturesque 14km length of coastline comprises the four villages of South Mission Beach, Wongaling Beach, Mission Beach and Bingil Bay. Accommodation choices are many: from backpacker hostels to caravan parks by the beach, to B&Bs, motels and resorts. There’s also a diverse range of self-contained rental properties from beachfront houses and quaint cottages to rainforest hideaways on a scale ranging from budget to indulgent. It’s a popular base for exploring the surrounding World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics rainforest, quiet beaches and the Great Barrier Reef. Many people come to experience the peace and quiet, relax and do nothing much. It’s that kind of place. Whatever experience you seek, it’s all here.
FAST FACTS
EXPLORE
Historical fact
Events
Australia’s first tea plantation was developed at Bingil Bay.
Local interests
Tennis, cricket, futsul, golf [El Arish & Tully], fishing, sailing, surf lifesaving, cycling, kayaking péntanque, outrigger canoeing, and SUP’s.
Famous for
Dunk Island, saving the Great Barrier Reef, skydiving with beach landings, access point to White Water Rafting and the endangered southern cassowary – Australia’s largest rainforest bird.
Cassowary Festival, Beachside Markets, On a Mission Multisport Adventure Weekend, Beach Run Half Marathon, Surf Carnival and Sailing Regatta, Red Bull Defiance. Red Bull Defiance
Swim Spots
Mission Beach Aquatic Centre, Rotary Park Splash Pad, beaches and swim nets at South and North Mission beaches (in season), Lacey Creek on road to El Arish.
Taste
Local Spanish mackerel, Bingil Bay Beef, local exotic fruits and award-winning chocolate. Charley's Chocolate Factory
55B Porter Promenade, Mission Beach | P 07 4068 7099 www.missionbeachtourism.com | info@missionbeachtourism.com ~ 26 ~
When you do want to get active you can fill your days exploring gentle eco-friendly options or extreme experiences for adrenalin seekers. The list is dynamic: explore the walks, sky-dive the beach, bird watch (big and little birds!), kayak the Coral Sea, go mountain biking, take in Indigenous culture, fish the big and small offerings from a local estuary or the untouched Great Barrier Reef minus the crowds! Maybe you’ll just charter something: a helicopter, jet ski, rental car, paddle board, bike, tinnie or a local expert. There are all sorts of boating options whether you prefer fishing, sailing, diving or an adventure and island picnic trip. Stay the night on a Great Barrier Reef island or take a day trip just to snorkel and swim. The water taxi and other charters can take you to the famous Dunk Island National Park and nearby is the exclusive eco-resort of Bedarra Island. If it’s total relaxation, pampering or wedding preparations you are after, the villages offer beauty and massage services. There is an array of dining options scattered in each village from take-aways, cafes and coffee shops to gourmet bistros and restaurants.
Snorkelling with Mission Beach Dive
To Innisfail / Cairns
Silkwood
Kurrimine Beach
15min
Dunk Island
Garners Beach Bingil Bay
HWY BRUCE
Bicton Hill Walk y Ba gil Bin o T
El Arish
Markets Shops & Restaurants
Jetty Boat Ramp
Mission Beach
Lacey Creek
15min
Arts Centre MARCS Park
Mus gra vea Tra ck
6k
m
AQUATIC CENTRE Bus Stop
RESTAURANTS
Supermarket/Fuel Police & Fire
Sand Spit
Wongaling Beach
Sailing Club & Surf Lifesaving Stinger Nets
South Mission Beach
Edmund Kennedy Walk
To Cardwell /Townsville
ac k
25min
Dunk Island g Tr
Licula Walk
Tully
camping
kin Wal
BRUCE H WY
Stinger Nets
Bedarra Island
Mission Beach
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
~ 27 ~
Lugger Bay
Browse through the Mission Beach Community Arts Centre & Gallery at Marcs Park or the various boutique shops. Visit the Mission Beach Visitor Information Centre for ideas on what to do and see. Bush walking is a must and the best way of seeing a cassowary in the wild. The range of short walks to longer hikes takes you through a variety of landscapes, many of which are in the Djiru National Park. The Licuala day-use area is just off the road from Mission Beach to Tully. The park is great for bird watching with cassowaries frequenting the area. A short children’s walk (400m) branches off the start of the walk and follows cassowary “footprints” to a “nest and eggs.” Stroll under a canopy of fan palms on the Licuala Fan Palm walk (1.3km, 30 minutes).
SOUTH MISSION BEACH
South Mission Beach has a caravan park and many holiday homes to rent. There is a stinger net and a patrolled beach (in season). You can hire a tinnie or jetski, or sit and enjoy a meal from one of the cafes or restaurants in the area. Mission Beach Outrigger Canoe Club with Sailing and Surf Clubs offer use of the Vaka Hut for events and functions. South Mission Beach also backs on to the Hull River National Park, a large estuarine mangrove system and swamp forest area. Here you can fish the protected waters of the Hull River or spot a crocodile. The Edmund Kennedy Walking Track to Lugger Bay is one of the most spectacular walks in the area. A coastal walk, and one of the longest (7km, 4 hours), it has breathtaking views of Dunk Island and its neighbouring Family Island Group, beaches and the mouth of the Hull River.
~ 28 ~
WONGALING BEACH
Wongaling Beach is the central beach village and offers plenty of choices to stay. Accommodation includes backpacker hostels, caravan parks, a large resort, many smaller apartments, boutique B&Bs and holiday homes. Many restaurants are located on or near the beachfront in Wongaling Beach. The main supermarket for the area is there along with fuel, bottle shops and the local pharmacy. Other specialty shops are located near the “Big� Cassowary. This is the only stopping point in Mission Beach for the major bus companies on their way north to Cairns or south to Brisbane and beyond.
Joey's Cafe, Mission Beach
~ 29 ~
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
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MISSION BEACH
Just 10 minutes drive up the road, or 20 minutes by bike on the sealed bike track, is the main village of Mission Beach. Known locally as North Mission, it has many boutiques, restaurants and cafes, fruit and vegie store and convenience store. There is a wide selection of accommodation from caravan parks to resorts. Take your time to stroll around the shops and along the beach and maybe stop at the Beach Vaka where there is a stinger net which is patrolled at various times during the season. The Mission Beach Visitor Information Centre is further up Porter Promenade where you can research and book all local attractions. The Ulysses Walk tracks the beach from North Mission to meet up with The Cutten Brothers walk. The Clump Point boat ramp is a sharp right turn (near the Eco Village Resort) and from which local boaties and charter operators head to the reef, coral cays or nearby tropical islands.
Sunrise at Mission Beach
Dunk Island, 4.5km east of Mission Beach, is the largest and most northerly of the group and can be accessed in just 10 minutes on a water taxi.
The Family Islands National Park is a group of islands between Tully Heads and Mission Beach.
The island’s gentle slopes are good for bush walking and offer great views of the Great Barrier Reef and its islands. Muggy Muggy Beach is a 3km return walk through rainforest, coastal woodland and mangroves. Stop for a snorkel straight off the beach.
Wheeler (Toolgbar), Coombe, Bedarra, Smith (Kurrumbah), Bowden (Budg-Joo), Hudson (Coolah), Mung-um-gnackum, Kumboola and Mound (Purtaboi) islands are also part of the Family Islands National Park. Commercial operators provide cruises around these scenic islands which can also be accessed by sea kayak or private boat. Kayaking is a popular way of exploring the islands as they are close to the mainland. Bush camping is available in the National Park grounds at Coombe and Wheeler islands. Dunk Island’s campground has been rebuilt to offer sunrise and sunset camp sites right on the beach.
~ 32 ~
Dunk Island’s Mount Kootaloo is a more strenuous walk up a steep track to the 271m summit, but the 7km return walk only takes three hours and has spectacular views. Near the lookout are the remains of a World War 2 radar station which is slowly being reclaimed by the rainforest. Continue onto the Island Circuit Track which is about 9km long.
Back on land and heading north you’ll also pass the new Clump Point Jetty from which you can stop and fish off. The short 10-minute journey to Bingil Bay is an iconic coastal drive where the Wet Tropics rainforest of the Djiru National Park literally meets the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Along the way is the Clump Mountain National Park. The circuit walk to the top of Bicton Hill at Bingil Bay (3.9km, 1.5-2 hours return) offers views of the Barnard Islands and across to Dunk and Hinchinbrook islands. The area is home to lace monitors and nocturnal striped possums.
The Musgrave track (6km one way, 2.5 hours) is a multi-use track for walkers and mountain-bike riders along an old forestry road through rainforest and over creeks. The track can be accessed from either the Licuala day-use area or the trailhead on the El Arish-Mission Beach Road. For a more moderate hike involving quite steep terrain, join the Dreaming trail (3.2km one way, 1.5 hours) at Lacey Creek day-use area.
BINGIL BAY
With its small pretty beaches, Bingil Bay is the last village and is home to an eclectic group of locals. The centre of the village is literally one building with a convenience store, come-café, come-bar, come-restaurant, typical of the really laidback charm of this area! Continue on Bingil Bay Road to loop around and back into Mission Beach or out to the Bruce Highway at El Arish. Keep an eye out for local cattlemen mustering the famous Bingil Bay Beef from paddock to paddock. These spoilt, grass-fed beasts enjoy ocean views while they fatten up, which many say could be why they are the best tasting beef in North Queensland. On the El Arish-Mission Beach Road heading back into Mission Beach is Lacey Creek. A day-use area in Djiru National Park, the Lacey Creek Walk (1.5km, 45 minutes) has interpretative signage, a cassowary information display and a beautiful rainforest creek where you can cool off with a swim and spot small kingfishers flitting around.
Bingil Bay Cafe
~ 33 ~
Tully
Important agricultural area, surrounded by wild rivers and misty mountains.
Bilyana Murray River Tully River Hull Heads Tully Heads Cochable Creek Misty Mountains Alligators Nest Feluga
Driving up the Bruce Highway you’ll cross the Tully River. Further on is the turn-off to Tully Heads and Hull Heads, two beachside villages approximately 25km from the highway. Both are located near Googara Beach and overlook the Family Group Islands with fishing the most popular activity. These quiet beach communities have accommodation at a campground, caravan park and tavern. Off the highway is the town of Tully. This major agricultural region employs many local and visiting backpackers to work in the local banana and sugarcane industries. Here you’ll see the giant Golden Gumboot which stands 7.9m tall to mark the record-breaking rainfall the town received in 1950. The town averages more than 4m of rain each year and celebrates it with the Golden Gumboot Festival. Climb inside the gumboot for a great view of Tully, its sugar mill and surrounding mountains.
FAST FACTS
EXPLORE
Historical fact
Events
In 1935, a hydro-electric power station was built in the Tully Gorge which is a major provider.
Local interests
Rugby League (home of the Tully Tigers), golf, bowls, fishing, horse and trail bike riding, white water rafting, kayaking, Aboriginal Culture.
Famous for
The Giant Golden Gumboot, a monument to the record breaking rains of 1950, when 7.9 metres of rainfall made it the wettest town in Australia, Tully Mill Tours.
Tully Show – the best little show in Queensland, camp drafting, Rodeo Rodeo with bull and bike ride, Christmas street party, skydiving, rafting, biking and golf events.
Swim Spots
Town Pool. Locals swim at Alligators Nest (no wild animals!) and Tully Gorge.
Taste
90 per cent of Australia’s bananas are produced in the Tully/Innisfail area. Also watermelons, pawpaws and other exotic tropical fruits.
Bruce Highway, Tully | P 07 4068 2288 ~ 34 ~
Tully River white water rafting
The Tully Visitor and Heritage Centre has an interpretive display giving the history of the area. Here you can book tours of the Tully Sugar Mill during cane harvesting season for a fascinating insight to how the cane is crushed and made into sugar. Cool tip: A sandy swimming hole and rainforest-fringed picnic area called Alligators Nest is the best place to cool down at Tully. It’s a 10-minute drive from town along Murray Steet and Bulgan Road. With so much rain spilling down from the mountains, it is no wonder Tully is considered one of Australia’s best spots to go white-water rafting. The river plunges through Tully Gorge National Park which has a camping area not far from the Kareeya hydro-power station. From the camping area, a short wheelchair-accessible walk takes you through rainforest known for its colourful butterflies which are best seen between September and February. Fit hikers will enjoy the panoramic view of Tully and its surrounding farms from Mt Tyson which rises 687m behind the town. Access to the walking track is from Brannigan Steet in Tully, with the difficult walk taking up to three hours. Part of the Misty Mountains wilderness walking tracks network is in Tully Gorge National Park. The Cochable Creek camping area on the bank of the creek is great for swimming and short walks and a base for mountain biking.
The giant Tully Gumboot
** Beware of cane trains during the cane crushing season. **
To Innisfail / Cairns
Banyan Creek
Mission Beach BRUCE HWY
Aligators Nest
Airport
Show Grounds
Mt Tyson Town Pool
Golden Gumboot
Tully Town Centre
Train
Sugar Mill
Golf Course
eek an Cr Bany
To Tully Gorge & Misty Mountains
Tully & Hull Heads
WY CE H BRU
Tully River To Cardwell / Townsville
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
~ 35 ~
Cardwell
A seaside location that boasts world-class landscapes and experiences.
Cardwell Range Hinchinbrook Island Fishers Creek Five Mile Creek Port Hinchinbrook Goold Island Forest Drive Edmund Kennedy Nat. Park Kennedy Kirrama Range Murray Falls
Stop at the top of the Cardwell Range for the most impressive view you will see on your journey. This is where the mountains meet the sea. Girringun National Park is on your left and Hinchinbrook Island National Park on your right and the rainforest occasionally parts to reveal Hinchinbrook Island and its mangrove channels. As you travel south, an option for serious bush walkers is the Dalrymple Gap Walking Track in Girringun National Park. A challenging six-hour walk follows the route of an historic road which crosses the Cardwell Range. It passes a stone-pitched bridge and winds through eucalypt forests, beautiful streams and rainforest. A few kilometres further along the highway is an easily accessible stop for a quick dip and barbecue at the Five Mile Swimming Hole, just 7km south of Cardwell. As the halfway point on the Bruce Highway between Cairns and Townsville, Cardwell is an ideal base to explore and fish the entire region.
FAST FACTS
EXPLORE
Historical fact
Events
Local interests
Swim Spots
Cardwell was established in 1864, originally named Port Hinchinbrook, and is the oldest settlement north of Bowen.
Recreational boating, fishing and crabbing, bushwalking and hiking trails, mountain biking, bowls, golf, swimming holes and waterfalls, Historical Precinct, Museum and Art Gallery, Girrigun Aboriginal Art Centre, 4.7km Foreshore walkway.
Famous for
Hinchinbrook Island – Australia's largest Island National Park – Thorsborne Trail, Cardwell Spa Pool, The Big Crab.
Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration (May), UFO Festival (August), Cardwell Seafest (Oct), Desert Rose and Tropical Plant Expo (Oct), Barra Bonanza (Oct).
Town pool, Five Mile swimming hole, spa pool, Attie Falls, Murray Falls, Blencoe Falls.
Taste
Mud crab sandwiches, local caught barramundi, famous Cardwell Pies, local Crystal Bay prawns and taste the local fruit – pineapple, paw paw, lychee, mango, passionfruit. Kirrama Range Road
53 Victoria Street, Cardwell | P 07 4066 2412 ~ 36 ~
Accommodation includes motels, hotel, camping, caravan parks, backpacker hostel, B&B and cabins. Dine at cafes, eateries, clubs or hotels, or play 9 holes at the revamped golf course. Port Hinchinbrook features an all-weather, all-tide boat ramp, and resident Coast Guard. It is the access point for boats heading into the Hinchinbrook Channel or to Hinchinbrook Island where you will find fishing charters, island transfers and boat hire from dinghies to houseboats. You can launch your boat here or at the Meunga boat ramp to the north. Those wanting access to the mangrove area of Hinchinbrook Channel could use the boat ramp at Fisher’s Creek, 35km south back along the highway. With almost 40,000 hectares to explore, Hinchinbrook Island should be more than just a day trip. This pristine island national park is a particular favourite with dedicated hikers from around the world. People come to tackle the renowned 32km Thorsborne Trail to experience diverse environments from sandy bays through mangrove forests and dense rainforest to the 1121m peak of Mt Bowen. Camping is available at several sites but numbers are strictly limited. Take a ferry from Cardwell to Goold Island, just 17km offshore, where you can camp in the national park. Line and spear fishing is allowed at Garden Island or you can snorkel the magnificent coral gardens surrounding the nearby Brook Islands.
Natural Cardwell Spa
To Tully / Cairns
With its stunning backdrop of Hinchinbrook Island, the foreshore is the focal point of Cardwell and a popular place for fishing or spotting turtles and dugong which are often seen from the jetty. Following the damage from Cyclone Yasi in 2011, the ‘Reconstructing Cardwell Project’ has built new playgrounds, barbecue and picnic facilities, walking and cycling paths along the 4km of newly completed beautified foreshore.
Edmund Kennedy Girramay National Park
KENNEDY Elderbeck Rd
CE H BRU WY
CARDWELL FOREST RESERVE 2
The Cultural Precinct brings together the arts and history of Cardwell. Follow the Cardwell Environmental, Cultural and Heritage Trail, enjoy local art at the gallery or learn about the devastation of Cyclone Yasi at the J. C. Hubinger Museum. Cardwell commemorates the historic Battle of the Coral Sea between the Japanese and Allied Forces during World War II with a service on the first Sunday in May at its Coral Sea Battle Memorial Park.
Coral Sea Memorial
CARDWELL SPA
Jetty
Coral Sea
Dead Horse Creek
CARDWELL FORESHORE
Cardwell
Great Barrier Reef
Town Pool
Attie Creek Falls
Cardwell Forest Drv
INTERESTING FACT: The Cardwell Region boasts over 290 species of birds! Watch Osprey and Brahminy Kite fly along the foreshore or take a wetland walk to look for the Collared Kingfisher and Beach Stone Curlews.
Golf Course
Cardwell Lookout
TRAIN STATION
y
rr
Fe
EH UC BR
Cultural Precinct
WY
Port Hinchinbrook
5 Mile Creek
Thorsborne Trail
Hinchinbrook Island
Dalrymple Gap
CARDWELL
To Ingham / Townsville
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
~ 37 ~
The Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre is where you can see contemporary and traditional art from the region’s nine traditional owner groups. Work includes traditional baskets, paintings, ceramics and wooden artefacts as well as the unique Bagu with Jiman artwork inspired by the traditional fire making implements of the Girringun rainforest people. Driving west from the centre of town you will find the Cardwell Forest Drive. This is 26km of scenic loops where you can explore swimming holes, a natural fed spa pool and waterfalls with great picnic spots. It is becoming a popular location for mountain biking enthusiasts. Back on the Bruce Highway, head north for 5km to the Edmund Kennedy section of Girramay National Park. This is a wetlands national park in a small area between the highway and the coast.
Cardwell Foreshore
There is more rich local information about this unique reef and rainforest area to be seen at the accredited Cardwell Visitor & Heritage Centre. Located at the historic Cardwell Post Office and Bush Telegraph Station, you can show the kids what life was like before the mobile phone by sending a morse code message. Get a feel for the early judicial system in the courthouse and lock-up, “race to the top of Australia” in the Journey Room or check out the old weather instruments. Built in 1870, the telegraph office is one of the oldest buildings in North Queensland. It has been entered on the Queensland Heritage Register, the Register of the National Trust and the Register of the National Estate of the Australian Heritage Commission.
Cardwell Jetty with Hinchinbrook Island in the background
~ 38 ~
Kennedy local store on the Bruce Highway signals the turn off to the Kirrama Range Road. One of Queenslands greatest engineering feats, Kirrama Range Road is a recommended 4WD adventure through Wet Tropics World Heritage Area via lookouts and beautiful creeks up to the spectacular Blencoe Falls. It’s only 62km to the Falls but allow around 3 hours as you won’t want to rush it. You can camp at Blencoe Falls or drive on and through to Mt Garnet. Further north of Kennedy take the Bilyana turn-off to see Murray Falls, a drive west of about 20km. The last 2km from the park entrance is unsealed. Here the rainforest-clad mountains meet tropical lowlands in the foothills of the Kirrama Range. Waters of the Murray River cascade in a stunning 30m drop over boulders into rock pools. One of the region’s most popular campgrounds, its swimming and rock slides are popular along with the picnic area. The falls can be viewed from the boardwalk or walk through the rainforest to the lookout. Driving out of the area you can rejoin the highway further north at Murrigal, just 16km away from Tully.
Cardwell's Bush Telegraph Heritage Centre
Murray Falls
~ 39 ~
Events Calendar See what's on around North Queensland Tropical Coast in 2020.
JANUARY
Red Bull Defiance event
Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration 3 May 2020 Cardwell www.cardwellhistory.com.au
Australia Day Celebrations 26 January 2020 Cassowary Coast www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/australiaday-awards
Reconciliation Week 27 May - 3 June 2020 Cassowary Coast www.reconciliation.org.au
Girringun Art Exhibition 17 January-12 February 2020 Mission Beach www.missionarts.com.au
JUNE
FEBRUARY
Ballet Queensland 16 June 2020 Innisfail
Chinese New Year 1 February 2020 Innisfail www.innisfailtemple.com
BeachRuns@Mission 20 June 2020 Mission Beach www.ccmclub.org.au
MARCH Feast of the Senses 26-29 March 2020 Innisfail www.feastofthesenses.com.au
World Music Day 27 June 2020 Cardwell
JULY
APRIL
NAIDOC Week Celebrations 5- 12 July 2020 Cassowary Coast www.naidoc.org.au
Easter Weekend 10-13 April 2020 Cassowary Coast
MAY
Innisfail Show Day 9-10 July 2020 Innisfail http://innisfailshow.com.au
Feast of the Three Saints 3 May 2020 Silkwood www.feastofthethreesaints.com.au
Tully Show Day 24 July 2020 Tully https://www.facebook.com/TullyShow
All the events & market dates and details are subject to change ~ 40 ~
MARKETS
AUGUST El Arish Centenary 1-2 August 2020 El Arish http://elarishnq.com/
Cardwell - Jetty (Easter-Sep) 2nd Sunday 8am-1pm
Tropical Art Deco Festival 1-9 August 2020 Innisfail & Tully www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/artdeco-events
Cardwell - Coral Sea Memorial Park (Easter - Dec) 1st Saturday 7am-12noon Cardwell - Homegrown Handmade Market (May - Nov) 4th Saturday 3pm-7pm
Cardwell UFO Festival 8-9 August 2020 Cardwell www.cardwellufofestival.com.au/
Tully 2nd & 4th Saturday 7am-12noon
Red Bull Defiance 28-30 August 2020 Mission Beach https://defiance.events/
Mission Beach 1st & 3rd Sunday 7am-12noon Mission Beach Monster Markets (Easter - Nov) Last Sunday 7am-12noon
Ona Mission Multisport Adventure 30 August 2020 Mission Beach www.ccmclub.org.au
Kurrimine 2nd Sunday 7:30am-12:30pm
SEPTEMBER
Mourilyan (Apr - Dec) 2nd Saturday 8am-12noon
Kurrimine Beach Fishing Competition 18-20 September 2020 Kurrimine Beach
Innisfail (Feb - Dec) 3rd Saturday 7am-12noon
Community Cassowary Festival 19 September 2020 Mission Beach www.cassowaryfestival.com
OCTOBER Cardwell Seafest 2-4 October 2020 Cardwell www.facebook.com/CardwellSeafest-2131814007086083/ Tour de Cassowary 17-18 October 2020 Innisfail (Start) & Cassowary Coast www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/tourde-cassowary Cardwell Markets
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
~ 41 ~
Ingham
A region rich in Italian heritage, natural attractions and agriculture.
Bambaroo Toobanna Tyto Wetlands Trebonne Broadwater Nat. park Abergowrie Wallaman Falls Taylors Beach Forrest Beach Halifax Lucinda Hinchinbrook Channel Palm Island Group Orpheus Island
Welcome to Ingham on the Bruce Highway, this area is renowned for sensational food, eco-experiences such as fishing and bird watching, Indigenous stories and natural attractions. Stay for a few days in town or at the beaches to allow yourself the time to explore the region. There is a choice of quality, affordable accommodation including motels, pubs and caravan parks. The Tyto Wetlands, about 500m south of town, has lagoons and walking tracks that are home to more than 230 species of birds, numerous tropical plant species and wallabies galore. The name comes from the Eastern Grass Owl (Tyto Capensis), an endangered species which can be seen taking flight at dusk. While at the Tyto Centre, have a look at the visual displays of what local cane farmers have achieved by creating their own wetlands and conservation initiatives that effectively manage the eco-diversity of farming areas to ensure sustainability for future farming generations and protection of the Great Barrier Reef.
FAST FACTS
EXPLORE
Historical fact
Events
Lucinda Sugar Jetty, at nearly 6km long, is the longest in the southern hemisphere.
Local interests
Rugby league, soccer, squash, fishing and golf are some popular interests.
Famous for
Wallaman Falls, at 268 metres, is the highest single drop waterfall in Australia and is the Southern gateway to Hinchinbrook Island.
Australian Italian Festival, Sugar City Rodeo, Maraka Festival, Hinchinbrook Fishing Classic, Herbert River Show, Car Show and Shine.
Swim Spots
Town swimming pool, Lucinda, Taylors Beach and Forrest Beach all have stinger resistant nets. Swimming holes in the region’s national parks.
Taste
Indulge in Italian fare from local delicatessens, authentic local pasta, try a local steak or fresh seafood.
Phone 07 4776 4792 | www.tyto.com.au ~ 42 ~
Wallaman Falls
A “must see” is the wonderful tribute to the history of the sugar industry in this region at Mercer Lane Mosaic in the centre of Ingham CBD. Wander through an impressive collection of ornate mausoleums at the New Ingham Cemetery or take in the peaceful Botanic Gardens. Ingham has a number of exciting events throughout the year such as the annual Australian Italian Festival which celebrates Italian history and migration to the area. Its motto is “Amore Della Vita” which means Love of Life. Another event celebrating the local lifestyle is the annual Maraka Festival. Driving west out of town is Abergowrie State Forest in the Herbert River Valley where you can camp under tall eucalypts, swim in Broadwater Creek and bush walk. It is accessed via Trebonne, 8km west of Ingham. On the same road out of Ingham you can enter Girringun National Park. Highlights include Mt Fox, a well preserved dormant volcano, and Wallaman Falls, Australia’s longest permanent single-drop waterfall. Camp near the falls at Stoney Creek to spotlight sugar gliders at night. There are two short walks or you can venture on the 110km Wet Tropics Great Walk which goes through Girringun’s rainforest, hinterland, eucalypt forests and woodlands. Travelling out of town to the beaches you will see Victoria Mill, the largest sugar mill in the Southern Hemisphere. The mill recycles its waste product into energy through an electricity generating plant which feeds power back into the electricity grid.
Lucinda Jetty
To Cardwell / Cairns
Catch some waves at Forrest Beach, 20km east of Ingham. It has a store, modern beachfront hotel with a open air bar, caravan park, boat ramp, stinger net and surf life saving club.
HINCHINBROOK IS.
There are calmer waters further north at Taylors Beach, a popular fishing spot at the mouth of Victoria Creek, where you will find a caravan park, general store and a boat ramp.
BRU CE H WY
Cardwell Range Lookout Broadwater National Park
Lucinda
Abe rgo wri e
Interest Item: Volunteer to work on Orpheus Island, in the Palm Group of islands, at the James Cook University Research Station. Work for half a day then explore the island and its coral gardens.
Jetty
At Halifax, there is a small community which was once the hub of the Herbert River district. Historic building facades and great little pubs sit among the heritage-listed mango trees lining the main street, a reminder of the town’s heyday. Lay your hands on Halifax’s Tree of Knowledge to absorb its secrets and learn more at the Herbert River Museum and Gallery.
Halifax Wallaman Falls
Ingham
Town Pool
Macknade
Golf Club
Taylors Beach
Victoria Mill
Mt Fox Toobanna
Forrest Beach
WY CE H BRU
Jourama Falls
Magnificent Hinchinbrook Island looms large at Lucinda, a fisherman’s paradise and a popular departure point for charters in the channel. It is close to the Palm Island Group and Orpheus Island and the famous Throsbourne Trail. Join the locals fishing from the old sugar jetty or launch your tinnie from the Dungeness public boat ramp. Lucinda has the world’s longest offshore sugar loading facility, a jetty that stretches almost 6km out to sea and follows the curve of the earth. Its beach has a stinger net and there is a public walkway along the foreshore. Get some local fish and chips for dinner and enjoy a picnic with a view of Hinchinbrook Island and the channel mouth. Accommodation ranges from a hotel motel, caravan park with freezers to store your catch in, and a resort.
Bambaroo
INGHAM
To Townsville
Head out via Halifax to the highway. You will pass the tiny town of Macknade, the site of Herbert River’s second sugar mill. Here you will find a beautiful nine-hole golf course set among the sugar cane, framed by cane trains and dotted with majestic rain trees. It’s a quintessential North Queensland image.
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
~ 43 ~
The Hinchinbrook Way
Just over an hour north of Townsville is the tropical paradise of Hinchinbrook.
With Ingham at its centre, the region is surrounded by rugged mountain ranges, giant waterfalls, the Great Barrier Reef, wild beaches and tropical islands. It’s a place where breathtaking scenery, unique wildlife, worldclass fishing experiences, delicious, locally sourced food, inspirational art and 60,000 years of culture are all weaved into one incredible story: The Hinchinbrook Way. The Hinchinbrook Way highlights: • Experience the festivities at the iconic annual Australian Italian Festival. • Sample the gourmet offerings of Ingham’s famous Italian inspired delicatessens. • Take in the mystical glow of Australia’s highest single drop waterfall: Wallaman Falls, plunging 268 metres! • Dive into rainforest plunge pools at Jourama Falls. • Catch a wild barramundi under the gaze of rugged, mist bound mountain peaks.
Hinchinbrook region
Cooper Street and Bruce Highway, Ingham | P 07 4776 4792 ~ 44 ~
Hinchinbrook Island
Which Jurassic Island can only 40 people explore at any one time?
Hinchinbrook Island
• Discover the diverse wildlife, including the TYTO Wetlands, home to 27.4% of Australia’s bird species! • Take a scenic flight around the wilderness haven of Hinchinbrook Island. • Escape to Zoe Bay. • Enjoy the incredible culture, nature, art, gourmet food and boutique shopping found on the Hinchinbrook Way Walk in Ingham. • Take a leisurely drive and discover the Lower Herbert district and coastal beaches on the Hinchinbrook Way Drive. • Take a breathtaking whale watching tour. • Dive the Great Barrier Reef • Wander through a rich tapestry of the region’s history at the Herbert River Museum in Halifax
Although the biggest island on the Great Barrier Reef, Hinchinbrook Island is completely uninhabited. To protect the Island's biodiversity and prevent damage to the environment just 40 people are permitted to stay at any one time. If you have a desire for adventure, Hinchinbrook Island is your ultimate playground. It offers spectacular hiking and camping along the famous 32-kilometre, Thorsborne Trail, internationally rated one of the top 10 walks on the planet. You will discover rainforests of Milky Pine, Palm Figs, and vines, with more than 66 species of birds, 22 species of butterflies, 29 different mangroves and many varieties of fish and crustaceans. To start your hiking expeditions on Hinchinbrook Island take a short ferry ride or private charter from Lucinda or Cardwell. Another way to explore Hinchinbrook Island is by paddling along the outside coast in a kayak. Voted as one of the top 10 places to see by Kayak in Australia, the views are nothing short of spectacular and the long sandy beaches and extensive mangrove areas make Hinchinbrook Island an environmental haven for turtles, dugongs and many other marine creatures.
• Be inspired by stories crafted over millennia with an Aboriginal tour at Mungalla Station.
Hinchinbrook Island is the perfect place to restore body, mind and spirit. This is the Island to choose if you want peace, beauty, tranquillity and a hint of adventure.
For every adventurer, family, foodie, culture vulture, angler, nature lover and history buff, the Hinchinbrook Way has an experience you’ve been looking for.
If you are heading out on this adventure please contact the accredited Cardwell Visitor Information Centre.
TYTO Wetlands
TYTO Wetlands
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
~ 45 ~
Explore National Parks Mount Spec, Paluma Range National Park Feel embraced by natural beauty in this southern-gateway to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Rainforest-cloaked Mount Spec rises nearly 1000m above the Big Crystal Creek floodplain, offering a cool respite from the coastal lowland heat. Camp at Big Crystal Creek, a popular swimming and picnic spot. Absorb the exotic sounds of birdlife on a rainforest walk and smile for the cameras at McClellands lookout as you enjoy stunning views along the coast. Experience the thrill of being one of the ‘lucky ones’ who spots the rare golden bowerbird on the Birthday Creek Falls walk. Take a scenic drive through the rainforest and stop at Little Crystal Creek for a picnic en route, exploring the historic stone bridge and cascading waterfalls, and take a step back in history at Paluma, the village in the rainforest. Getting there: 61km north of Townsville via the Bruce Hwy, Barrett Road and Mount Spec Road
Little Crystal Creek, Mount Spec
Cloudy Creek walk, Mount Spec
Jourama Falls, Paluma Range National Park Discover a picturesque waterfall framed by rainforest. Have the perfect picnic in the day-use area, where streams flow down from higher slopes, feeding Jourama Falls and other cascades and rapids on Waterview Creek. This is also the perfect place for spotting the buff-breasted paradise kingfisher during the months of October to April, when it migrates down from Papua New Guinea. Camp in a large clearing beside Waterview Creek. Be rewarded for your uphill walk with scenic views over the falls and rainforest from the Jourama Falls lookout. Find your own beautiful spot to relax and simply enjoy watching birds, butterflies and other native wildlife. Getting there: 91km north of Townsville via the Bruce Hwy and Jourama Falls Road.
Jarouma Falls
Remember to obtain camping permits and pay fees in advance; and check Park Alerts before you head out.
Connect with Queensland National Parks:
qld.gov.au/NationalParks ~ 46 ~
qld.gov.au/Camping
Wallaman Falls, Girringun National Park Stand in awe at Wallaman Falls, Australia’s highest permanent single-drop waterfall. In between the forest-clad ridge tops and rainforest-lined gullies and creeks, Wallaman Falls stands tall at 268m. Gaze mesmerised as Stony Creek plunges in a clear single-drop, often through a rainbow-fringed cloud of mist, into the valley below. Experience the beauty of World Heritage rainforest and spectacular gorge views on short walking tracks near the falls lookouts, then relax with a picnic. Camp in open woodland adjacent to Stony Creek and explore rainforest walks along the banks of Stony Creek. Location and getting there: 51km south-west of Ingham via Abergowrie Road and Trebonne.
Wallaman Falls
Djyinda track, Wallaman Falls
Broadwater, Abergowrie State Forest Spend a peaceful day in the bush in the scenic Herbert River valley. Sizzle a sausage on the barbecue and make yourselves at home in the large open grassy day-use area with plenty of room for games. Take a short stroll through tropical rainforest with views over Broadwater Creek, or follow the Creek walk through eucalypt forest to discover delightful pools along the creek. Enjoy the tranquillity. The spacious Broadwater camping area allows you to stay a little longer (but book early for weekends and school holidays). Location and getting there: 47km north-west of Ingham, via Abergowrie Road and Elphinstone Pocket Road.
Broadwater day-use area
Dalrymple Gap walking track, Girringun National Park Follow the route of an historic road, crossing the Cardwell Range at Dalrymple Gap, and winding through forests and across beautiful streams in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Tackle the full 10km (6hr) one-way walk in either direction or explore a short return walk from each end. Follow in the footsteps of pioneers from the 1860s who in turn followed the route taken by Aboriginal people across the Cardwell Range. Enjoy the cool, fresh rainforest air after the steep climb up the Cardwell Range where huge strangler figs reach well above the forest. Near the top of Dalrymple Gap, discover an historic brick-lined bridge, built with bricks that were brought from Scotland. Getting there: Southern access—36km north-west of Ingham via Abergowrie Road and Elphinstone Pocket Road; northern access— turn off Bruce Hwy 13km south of Cardwell.
Dalrymple Gap walking track
Photos courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland
qld.gov.au/ParkAlerts
qldnationalparks ~ 47 ~
@QldParks; #QldParks
Adventure Wonderland With two World heritage areas, the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics, on its doorstep all the right ingredients are in place on the Tropical Coast to experience the ultimate adventure. And, much of it is free, whether it’s venturing off-road to discover the local swimming hole, hiking through rainforest for a view of the Great Barrier Reef, or an encounter with a cassowary on the beach. The Tropical Coast is its own unique driving experience. There are many iconic locations to visit – quaint villages, interesting agricultural crops, and stunning vistas – that just cruising through the region and exploring its many side roads is its own adventure.
Mountain Biking
This is the land of the mighty: Bartle Frere is Queensland’s tallest mountain at 1622 metres; Hinchinbrook Island is Australia’s largest island national park; the Misty Mountains wilderness walking tracks are Australia’s first network of long-distance hiking and mountain-biking trails in a high-altitude rainforest environment; the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s biggest reef; and, at 268 metres, Wallaman Falls is Australia’s tallest single drop waterfall.
Trekking Mt Tyson
Sea kayaking
Skydive the beach
~ 48 ~
Rafting Tully River
Hard-core adrenalin seekers might test their mettle on a spiralling 60-second 200km/h free-fall from 14,000 feet before the parachute opens and you float down to the sands of Mission Beach. Stay inside a plane for a scenic flight over amazing Hinchinbrook Channel, or maybe swoop over the rainforest covered mountains to an exclusive beach picnic location in a helicopter. Camping is a low-cost way of touring the region with plenty of national parks and private camping grounds to choose from. Spend the night on an island or in the rainforest, within earshot of a waterfall or right on the beach. A night under the stars is the perfect end to a day of adventure. Hit the throttle on a jet ski and head for Dunk Island to explore its beaches. Get a gang together and play a serious game of hide and seek in the hills but don’t get tagged by small projectiles containing bright paint. The adventure doesn’t all need to be strenuous. Cruise to one of the many islands and reefs to snorkel or dive with colourful fish, giant clams and reef sharks. Then maybe it’s a day at the local markets or researching memorabilia at one of the historic Queenslander pubs. Lunch or dinner at a beachside cafe, local pub or restaurant will always offer a new adventure for your tastebuds. Push your physical boundaries by hurtling through the rainforest on a mountain bike, or just sit up and casually ride the new foreshore trail in Cardwell. The Paluma Push is an annual mountain bike adventure through the World Heritage rainforest from Paluma to Hidden Valley, near Townsville. Try the gentle Musgrave Track featuring a forest of fan palms and creeks in Djiru National Park at Mission Beach, exciting trails at Cardwell’s Forest Drive or Cochable Creek up the Tully Gorge. With its record-breaking rainfall, the Tully region is world renowned for white-water rafting. It hosted the 2019 World Rafting Championships. For a more sedate pace try kayaking along a pretty rainforest creek where Ulysses butterflies add a flash of electric blue to the green landscape. The activity menu is endless and charter guides and information centres will create an itinerary that you can tick off at your own pace, or perhaps a little faster at 200kph!
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
~ 49 ~
Fishing the Tropical Coast The Tropical Coast is a fishing mecca with opportunities on the Reef, in estuaries, inshore, or simply off the rocks or a jetty. When the tides and wind are right, you won’t be wasting a minute of it. It’s a standout region for fishing because you can chase any number of species. The Barramundi tops many angler’s wish list and the chance of snaring one on the Tropical Coast is high. Flicking a lure near a tangle of mangroves and hearing the snap of a Barramundi locking-on is an adrenalin rush. The Barra are an exciting fighting fish hauled in regularly around the Hinchinbrook area. And with most catches around 55-70cm they look impressive in brag photos. But there are many other species to chase when the Barramundi season is closed between November and February.
Fishing images by Great Barrier Reef Fishing Tours
~ 50 ~
Try trolling for Mackerel, Tuna or Giant Trevally out at the reef or line fish the bottom for Coral Trout, Nannygai or Red Emperor. Spear fishing also is popular, with Coral Trout and Painted Crayfish being the prized catches. Mangrove Jack, Fingermark and Threadfin Salmon can be caught in mangrove creeks or alternatively head to the freshwater reaches for Sooty Grunter and Jungle Perch. In all weather conditions, Hinchinbrook is considered one of the best fishing and safest boating areas on the east coast of Australia. Year round, there’s a choice of calm water options for light tackle and fly fishing on estuarine waterways, mangrove-lined rivers, shallow channel flats and the upper freshwater reaches of creeks. Local clubs in the region have been restocking for some years, ensuring there is plentiful supply for the recreational angler.
WHERE TO GO FISHING IN MISSION BEACH
Fishing charters are available from across the region, and all have their own areas of specialisation, including reef and estuarine fishing and big game such as the mighty Black Marlin. From Lucinda to Cardwell, Mission Beach, Innisfail, Bramston and Deeral, you’ll find charter guides who are keen to join you on the tropical waters and wet a line.
• Along all the beaches • Clump Point jetty except when tourist boats are departing or arriving
With your own boat, or a hired tinnie, you’ll find numerous boat ramps along the coast and adjacent inlets and creeks, plus the option of beach launching in many areas.
Muff Creek, turn off past Garners Beach •
There are still plenty of options without a boat. Fishing off the beach may yield a feed of Flathead or Whiting, while in the season you might just snatch a jumping Cod at Bramston Beach.
South Mission Beach off the rocks on the • Kennedy walk On the banks of the Hull River, end • of Jacky Jacky Street just beware of crocodiles that will be after the catch of the day
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE EYE ON THE REEF APP
In front of Porters Creek and use local • prawns for dart or trevally At the back of Dunk Island at 40 foot reef • In front of Tam O'Shanter Point • • Near Purtaboi Island Silver sands near King Reef • urrimine Beach just a few kilometres • K north of Mission Beach Fishing in Yellow Zones is limited and it means you can fish with one hand-held rod or hand line per person, with one hook or lure attached to that line, except when trolling. Zoning maps can be picked up at all Visitors Information Centres.
www.gbrmpa.gov.au
HELP PROTECT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
~ 51 ~
COOKTOWN
Ribbon Reef Endeavour Reef
Cape Tribulation
St Crispin Reef Daintree
With many creeks, headlands, jetties and other structures, land-based options are plentiful. Try potting for mud crab which are in good supply in many mangrove and estuarine areas following rains.
Opal Reef
DAINTREE NATIONAL PARK
Tongue Reef Batt Reef
Low Isles
Mossman
PORT DOUGLAS
Holmes Reef Flora Reef
CORAL SEA Michaelmas Cay PALM COVE TRINITY BEACH
Kuranda
Cardwell is where you can set out for the annual Barra Bonanza when anglers chase the big ones. Kurrimine Beach Fishing Club, the largest in North Queensland, hosts an annual creek and outer reef fishing competition. Lucinda hosts the Hinchinbrook Classic.
Upolu Cay Arlington Reef
Green Island
CAIRNS
The many active clubs around the region include Balgal Beach Boating and Leisure Club, Ingham Rod and Reel Club, Cardwell Sport Fishing Club, Mission Beach Game Fishing Club, Innisfail Game Fishing Club and Bramston Beach Amateur Fishing Club.
Fitzroy Island
GREAT BARRIER REEF
Gordonvale
Outer Barrier Reef
Frankland Island Group
Babinda
Dart Reef Howie Reef
Innisfail
Flinders Reefs
Kurrimine Beach Tully
Taylor Reef
Dunk Island
Bedarra
B RU C E H I G
Otter Reef
AY HW
Goold Island
GREAT BARRIER REEF
Cardwell T HE G R
T EA Y E GR E N W A
Hinchinbrook Island National Park
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zoning maps are tools to help you get to know the zones in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park. You can avoid fines if you get to know the zones and what is activities are allowed in each zone. Zoning exists in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to protect plants, animals and habitats. Like a town planning scheme, it defines what activities can occur in each location. If you’re heading out on the water make sure you bring a zoning map with you so you can follow the zoning rules and avoid a fine. We’ve released new look maps to provide you with more information.
Mission Beach
Family Group Islands
The Tropical Coast’s many fishing events attract anglers from across the country and some offer big cash prizes.
Britomart Reef
SAFETY WARNINGS
Trunk Reef Ingham
Pelorus Island
Myrmidon Reef
Please adhere to these safety warnings, when in the North Tropical Coast.
Orpheus Island
Curacao Island Fantome Island
Keeper Reef
C BRU
EH
Beware of estuarine crocodiles. They inhabit mainland estuaries but may be present in island waters and on beaches.
Great Palm Island
PALM ISLANDS
IGH
Havannah Island
Y WA
Wheeler Reef
Paluma
EG TH
Balgal Beach
AT RE
Rattlesnake Island
Acheron Island
AY NW EE GR
Davies Reef
Herald Island
Magnetic Island
TOWNSVILLE
THE GREAT BARRIER REEF ~ 52 ~
Dangerous jellyfish (marine stingers – for example, box jellyfish and irukandji jellyfish) can deliver a fatal sting so wear suitable protective clothing, such as a stinger suit. Other marine creatures, such as cone shells, blue-ringed octopus and stonefish, are also potentially deadly.
Cyclones
Marine Stingers
Marine stingers can be found in North Queensland waters during the summer months, often from October through to May, and you can check the North Queensland Surf Lifesaving website to see whether beach swimming enclosures (stinger nets) are in the water or have been taken out.
Tropical Cyclones in the Queensland region mostly form between November and April. A warning is issued if winds are expected to affect coastal and island areas within 24 hours. The warnings are updated every three hours, then every hour if the cyclone poses a threat.
When stinger nets are in place, you should only swim in the ocean if you are inside the nets. Protective clothing is recommended. There are stinger net swimming enclosures on the Cassowary Coast at:
The warnings include information and location, movement and strength of the cyclone, areas that are threatened, as well as anticipated rainfall, flooding and storm surge.
• Etty Bay near Innisfail • Kurrimine Beach • North Mission and South Mission Beach.
Visitors must be aware of and heed the warnings about other natural hazards.
In addition, there are public swimming pools at Innisfail, Tully and Cardwell. For stinger safety advice, beach safety and water safety visit www.marinestingers.com.au.
Crocodile Management
Estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles naturally occur in waterways and water bodies in the Cassowary Coast region, and throughout central and northern Queensland. The State Government's Department of Environment and Heritage Protection manages saltwater crocodiles. More information is available on the department's website at www.ehp.qld.gov.au . It is also available in the department's Cassowary Coast Regional Council Saltwater Crocodile Management Plan.
Cyclone Shelters
The Cassowary Coast has two purpose-built cyclone shelters. These are located in Tully and Innisfail.
All crocodile sightings in Queensland should be reported to the CrocWatch hotline on 1300 130 372.
The shelters are intended to be a short-term option of up to around 18 hours and have very basic amenities. Evacuees will only have about 1 square metre of seating space and all belongings (including food, water, medications and clothing) must be contained in a bag small enough to fit under a seat.
The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection records and investigates all crocodile reports made by the public and will take appropriate action based on the potential safety risk posed by the animal. A summary of all current crocodile sightings and declared crocodiles of concern is available on the department's CrocWatch page.
What is a storm tide?
A storm tide is a rise above the normal water level along a shore that is the result of a tropical cyclone.
Always remember that no natural waterway in crocodile country is ever 100% risk free, and the public should remain 'croc-wise' at all times when in and around crocodile habitats.
When a cyclone forms over open waters, the strong winds pushing the water, combined with the low atmospheric pressure in the eye of the cyclone, cause the level of the sea to rise. This results in the formation of large waves. If this happens away from land, the water can escape and move freely away from the building storm. As the cyclone moves towards land and the depth of the water becomes shallower, the ever-increasing wall of water does not have a chance to flow away. These large waves may inundate land and cause destructive damage to anything in their path. Please note that inundation by storm tide is not comparable with riverine flooding. Storm tides will be accompanied by gale force winds, with successive waves of seawater rapidly moving across the foreshore. Trees, building material and other debris may be carried along by the storm tide. Any evacuation must occur before the storm tide event. A storm tide event should not be confused with a tsunami. A tsunami is a series of waves generated by a sudden upward movement of the ocean floor, normally due to earthquakes and is NOT related to a cyclonic event.
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Indigenous Culture The Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook shires are home to several different Indigenous groups. The Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, based in Cardwell, represents the interests of Traditional Owners from nine tribal groups of the area: the Bandjin, Djiru, Girramay, Gugu Badhun, Gulngay, Jirrbal, Nywaigi, Warrgamay and Warungnu. Traditional boundaries for the groups extend from Maria Creek north of Tully and south along the coastline as far as Rollingstone Creek. These lands encompass country to the west which surrounds Greenvale, and Northwest, following the Tully River to Ravenshoe. Hinchinbrook, Goold, Brooke, Family and Dunk Islands and surrounding waters are also included.
Image copyright Girringun Aboriginal Corporation 2020 ©
The Dyiru-speaking Aboriginal people who mainly inhabited this island coast were linguistically, culturally and socially related to the Dyirbal, Girramay and Gulngay groups of the Tully and Murray River districts. Hunters, fishers and gatherers of the rainforests and coast, they utilised the rich plant and animal resources to provide their needs. They excelled in making and using canoes and rafts and were expert fishermen of both fresh and marine waters.
Their contact with early navigators and coastal surveyors, as well as with beche-de-mer fishing boats, was established long before the first white people settled the beach areas in 1882. Timber-getters also camped on the beaches during their cutting expeditions and occasionally utilised Aboriginal labour in return for tobacco or tools. The first European explorer to visit the area, Captain James Cook, observed groups of Aboriginal people living together on the Family Islands but did not land or attempt to contact them. Seafarers who followed in his path included Phillip Parker King, in charge of Mermaid in 1821, and Francis Blackwood in command of HMS Fly in 1843. Both established peaceful contact with the Aboriginal people of the Cardwell area and offshore islands. Explorer Edmund Kennedy maintained friendly relations with the local Aboriginals. During the 1970s, several sugar cane farms in the Murray Upper area were purchased to allow Aboriginal families to return to the district. The Jumbun Aboriginal Community was established on a 244ha freehold property and in 2008 had around 130 people and 26 houses, a store, health centre, and community hall. The Wet Tropics rainforest takes on a new meaning when it is explored through the eyes of the Aboriginal people whose ancestors depended on it for survival. Indigenous-owned tours provide an opportunity to interact with the region’s
traditional people, while the national parks are a rich source of information. Local Indigenous culture is revealed through interpretive signage on several walks. The Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway, a spectacular, elevated 350-metre walk through the canopy of World Heritage rainforest, offers sweeping views over a pristine rainforestclad mountainous landscape, homeland of the Mamu Aboriginal people. The Yalgay Ginja Bulumi walk at beautiful Murray Falls reveals the culture of the Girramay people as you explore the open forest and rainforest of Girramay National Park, north of Cardwell. Their ancestors gathered food and useful materials during the dry season, often moving to the cooler high country during the wet. Other walks reveal the special skills of the rainforest people, including their knowledge of how to treat toxic plants so they could use them as food. The black bean seeds, for example, are poisonous, but the Aboriginals would leach the toxins out in running water and pound the seeds into a flour to make damper. The rainforest provided many staple foods, while other trees were used to make spears (bush guava), shields (fig) and boomerangs (the buttress roots of a variety of trees). Clothes and blankets, when used, were made from beaten bark, and shelters were thatched with lawyer cane leaves.
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
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Image copyright Girringun Aboriginal Corporation 2020 ©
Image copyright Girringun Aboriginal Corporation 2020 ©
Traditional stories abound along the Tropical Coast. Hear how the black water python Yunba healed the sick and wounded or how the fire spirit would throw Jiman (firesticks) across the sky to create a trail of fire.
At Cardwell is the unique Bagu with Jiman artwork inspired by traditional fire-making implements of the Girringun rainforest people. The cultural journey includes dreamtime stories and an insight into the Aboriginal uses for flora and fauna.
Some stories serve as a warning. The spirit of Oolana, a Yidinji woman, is said to cry out for her lost lover at Babinda Boulders, a popular swimming and picnic spot created by the tears of the grief-stricken woman as she flung herself into the water. The legend warns travellers not to get too close to the mesmerising waters of Devil’s Pool in case they, too, follow her fate.
Cassowary Coast Regional Council hosted ‘Gumbugan’, the region’s first Indigenous arts forum, in Innisfail in 2019. It provided Indigenous artists with face-to-face opportunities with key industry arts workers and numerous workshop activities. Gumbugan is the local Mamu language word for cassowary, which is significant to all Indigenous groups throughout the Cassowary Coast, as well as for tourism and conservation.
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
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Agricultural Heritage The Cassowary Coast is home to about 80% of Australia's banana industry. It is also a significant contributor to the production of sugar and a recognised top growing region for tropical fruits and vegetables, cattle and fisheries. Overall, the region supports a significant food production industry that feeds populations around Australia and overseas. Combined with readily available agricultural land, abundant rainfall, rich soils, favourable climatic conditions and plentiful sunshine, the Cassowary Coast is ideal for agribusiness. And through many generations, the back-breaking work done to establish farms by waves of migrant workers, initially from Italy, has led to the building of towns and communities in which the unique culture of the Cassowary Coast has emerged and thrived. Agriculture underpins the local economy, providing jobs and wages and flow-on effects that amount to hundreds of millions of dollars.
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From the 1880s, land in the region was cleared for farming, including sugar, coffee, tea, fruit and dairy cattle. The sugar industry started in the Herbert Valley around Ingham, in 1870, and in 1884 the Cutten Brothers planted Australia’s first commercial tea plantation at Bingil Bay near Mission Beach. Chinese migrants were the first to grow bananas in the area. The Chinese population arrived after the northern goldfields became exhausted in the 1870s and turned to farming bananas in several areas. In Innisfail, the Lit Sing Gung – Chinese Temple (1940) is a reminder of the Chinese influence in the area. Sugar became the predominant crop, shaping the Coast’s modern cultural landscape, with towns developing around the sugar mills and immigrants arriving to provide labour. From 1863 to 1904 about 62,000 Pacific Islanders were brought to Queensland under a system of indentured labour, while European migration, mostly Italians, Spaniards and Croats, started in the 1890s. Many of the living quarters for the workers, known as cane barracks, can still be seen from the road in areas such as The Canecutter Way and near Mirriwinni. In 1929 a quite different contribution to local architecture was made by cane cutter José Paronella, who built a Spanish castle, now known as Paronella Park.
are used in locally made wines and port, ice cream and dried for snacks. Local fruit and vegetables can be purchased at roadside stalls with an honesty box or the local weekend markets. Aquaculture and cattle production are also important primary production industries in the region. Farmed prawns and barramundi are grown, and live-catch seafood such as mackerel, barramundi, coral trout, prawns and mud crabs are harvested from local waters. Beef cattle are bought from large outback stations to be fattened up for sale on the region’s sweet grass pastures. A greater understanding of the sugar industry and its value to the region is available at the Australian Sugar Heritage Centre which is host to the Sugar Industry Museum. The collection consists of contemporary and historical photographs, books, documents, domestic objects and artefacts related to the sugar industry. Historic tractors, locomotives, harvesters, implements and a working model of a 500hp-driven crushing engine are on permanent display.
Today, sugar mills are a large employer of skilled workers and operate in Ingham, Tully, South Johnstone and Gordonvale. The horticultural industry is dominated by banana production and many overseas travellers come to work on local farms. Tropical agriculture in the region also produces wonderful fruits such as pineapples, papaws, rambutans, watermelons and lychees, along with many lesser known exotic tropical fruits. Coffee and tea are both grown around Innisfail, as are different foods such as vanilla and pepper. Tropical fruits
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
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Townsville & North
From the dry tropics to the wet tropics, from beaches to the mountain air.
Townsville Airport Balgal Beach Rollingstone Crystal Creek Paluma Hidden Valley Mutarnee Jourama Falls
Townsville is the southern gateway to the Wet Tropics World Heritage area. Many travellers may start their journey along the Bruce Highway from Townsville, a major regional city and airport. Driving north from Townsville along the Bruce Highway is the start of your journey up the Tropical Coast. This drive north is interesting as you pass quite quickly from the obvious dry tropics landscape into the green blanket of the Wet Tropics, with its mountains that are part of Australia’s Great Dividing Range and coastal plains comprising forest and pockets of agriculture. About 20 minutes along the highway, you will arrive at Rollingstone. Here there is a pretty creek for swimming, a park with picnic facilities and you can follow the heritage walk signage. Some of Queensland’s largest pineapple farms, which provide opportunities for seasonal employment, are at Rollingstone. There is a four-star caravan park if you want to stay longer.
FAST FACTS
EXPLORE
Historical fact
Events
1896, 1st Japanese consulate in Australia, 4,000 Japanese sugar cane workers.
Local interests
All sports—rugby league (North Queensland Cowboys), sailing, fishing and boating, rodeo, surf lifesaving, golf and basketball.
Famous for
Where the Outback meets the Coral Sea.
V8 Supercars, various music and cultural events, Paluma Push mountain bike challenge, Rollingstone Pineapple Festival.
View of Townsville from Castle Hill
Swim Spots
Try the rock pool on The Strand or Riverway. Rollingstone Creek, Crystal Creek rock slides, Balgal Beach (Nov-May).
Taste:
Visit Frosty Mango for homemade fresh tropical fruit ice cream.
Frosty Mango
Phone 07 4721 3660 | www.townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au ~ 58 ~
Nearby is Balgal Beach, a popular beach and river fishing spot with boat ramp and pontoon facilities giving easy access to the Palm Group of islands. The beach has a stinger net and a patrolled area for swimming or playing golf alongside resident kangaroos. There is a choice of holiday accommodation from a caravan park to holiday homes. The historic Mount Spec Road, about 60km north of Townsville, was built by hand in the Great Depression of the 1930s. Winding through Paluma Range National Park, it features beautiful stonework, especially the masonry arch bridge over Little Crystal Creek where you can enjoy a dip before driving through rainforest and past impressive stands of eucalypts. Spiegelhauer Road to the north leads to Big Crystal Creek which is a great place to camp or have a refreshing swim. The road continues to Paluma, an historic village known as the village in the mist. It has a much cooler climate than the coast. With a range of accommodation including camping and cottages, you will find arts and crafts, award-winning pottery and cosy teahouses. There are story boards to follow around Paluma for an historical walk, scenic lookouts and a number of rated easy to moderate bush walks.
TOP TIP: Try a rock slide made by nature at Big Crystal Creek where giant boulders have been worn smooth by the water so you can slip down them into the cool rock pools below.
Townsville Jetty
To Cairns
CRYSTAL CREEK
Hidden Valley
MT SPEC ROAD
Paluma
Further along the Mount Spec Road is Hidden Valley where you are sure to see platypus. After dinner venture out to see sugar gliders, night spiders, possums, rufous bettongs and owls come to life in the dark.
Rollingstone BR UC E HI GH W AY
Balgal Beach
Back on the Bruce Highway stop for an ice cream made with local mangoes and other tropical fruit before heading further along the highway to turn off to see the spectacular Jourama Falls in the northern section of Paluma Range National Park. A popular camping area, Jourama Falls also has a day-use area and walking track.
Blue Water Mt Low
ROAD
AIRPORT CASTLE HILL
magnetic Island
THE
RING
THE STRAND Townsville Town centre
To Brisbane
BR
UC
EH I
GH
WA
Y
CORAL SEA
TOWNSVILLE & NORTH
www.tropicalcoasttourism.com.au
Victoria Bridge by night
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