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. 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.

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.

Low tide at Bramston Beach Storm brewing