How to spend 72 hours in Mission Beach

Kick off your 72 hours in Mission Beach at a local gem that feels like the heart of the community: Bingil Bay Café. Vibrant home-style meals and espresso meets a funky, relaxed vibe – so nab yourself a cheap read from the second-hand book exchange and pull up at one of the tables outside to catch the breeze while you dine.

After breakfast it’s time to change pace and get among the green of nearby Djiru National Park, home to some of the last remaining lowland rainforest and rare Licuala fan palms. Take the 1.5km Lacey Creek Walk to discover a hidden gem: a soak in crystal clear waters – and keep your eyes peeled for cassowaries along the way.

If you’re an avid mountain biker, rent a ride from Mission Beach Bike Hire and tackle the 12km Musgravea Trail through lush rainforest – then head for a dip in the creek afterwards.

PM: Cruise the beaches

This afternoon is all about taking it easy, a task that feels guilt-free when surrounded by palm trees and golden sands that stretch as far as you can see.

After a bite for lunch and boutique-hopping in the village centre, rent a beach bike and cruise down to South Mission Beach – either by pavement or beach if it’s low tide – for a dip, before stopping in to explore the Kennedy Walking Track. The first half of the track follows an easy boardwalk stalking the coastline, weaving its way through rocky headlands and shady rainforests. You will soon be met with steps leading to your own secluded paradise – Lover’s Beach at Lugger Bay.

Once it’s time to wash the sand off, head back to your accommodation and get ready for a night out. You don’t have to be a seafood lover to enjoy the delights of BUKO restaurant at Castaways Resort. But if you are, you’re going to be in heaven, with the likes of reef fish and prawn panzanella on the locally-driven menu. That’s if you can look past the goat curry or pulled chicken tacos.

Day 2

All day: Get wet and wild, two ways

Mission Beach might have a calm exterior, but delve deeper and you’ll discover a goldmine of adrenalin-fueled experiences.

One of the best? Leave the coastline behind and head into the Wet Tropics rainforest of Tully Gorge National Park. This is one of Queensland’s rainiest places – and all that water makes way for some epic rapids to conquer.

Join Raging Thunder Adventures for whitewater rafting or Wildside for sports rafting: either way, be prepared to get wet as you tackle the mighty Tully River. Broken up into sections of whitewater and calm river passages, the experience is both thrilling and peaceful at the same time. When you’re not battling rapids head-on, you’ll find yourself in awe at your surrounds; the water’s edge fringed by some of the oldest rainforest in the world.

Note: white water rafting may not be available during the drier winter months, so check in with the individual operators before you go.

Or, head to the reef

Prefer diving beneath the surface to rafting on it? Spend a day on the water with Mission Beach Dive to explore the outer Great Barrier Reef.

This family-friendly team offers snorkelling and scuba diving experiences among some of Queensland’s most pristine reefs, and with their own moorings you’ll find secluded spots without another day-tripper in sight.

This full day adventure will allow you to explore two reef sites along with a buffet lunch and gear hire. It’s well worth adding some extra time to your 72 hours in Mission Beach in order to do this tour along with a rafting experience – the best of both worlds.

An action packed day calls for takeaway fish and chips from The Chippy for dinner, with a few sunset beers to boot. If you’re based at South Mission Beach, Tuskers Tuckerbox delivers the goods with casual beachfront dining, a solid roster of live music on weekends, and locally-loved themed nights like Sunday roasts and Monday curries.

Day 3

AM: Day-trip to Dunk Island

72 hours in Mission Beach isn’t complete without spending a little time on Dunk Island. It’s hard to believe paradise gets even more pristine than the mainland, but this tropical island is a national park-clad nature lover’s playground, complete with rainforest walking trails and palm-fringed beaches.

Getting here will be even easier from January 2023, thanks to the launch of a new FastCat ferry service by QuickCoast. Departing Clump Point Marina at 9am five days per week, you’ll get around six hours island-side with the option of a catered lunch to fuel your adventures. Once you reach Dunk Island, the day is yours – whether you want to laze on the beach or work up a sweat.  

From the jetty, make a left and follow the beach until you reach the track signs leading to Muggy Muggy Beach and Mt Kootaloo. If the salty seas are calling your name, follow the track back down to the Muggy Muggy Beach turn-off for a dip and a snorkel. It’s approximately 40 minutes return walk.

Looking for a longer hike? Set your sights on Mt Kootaloo. The steep 7km-return track through rainforest will take roughly two hours to complete, but your reward is panoramic views across the sea and surrounding islands. Of course, you can dial the workout up a notch further and spend 3-4 hours traversing Dunk Island Circuit Track. This 9km hike introduces you to even more unspoilt scenery and is a great opportunity to encounter birdlife and the brilliant blue Ulysses butterfly that calls the island home.

Facilities out here a limited, as Dunk Island let’s nature do the talking. Here’s a few tips for a day here:  

• Bring a backpack with only the essentials: a towel, hat, water bottle, sunscreen and insect repellent, clothes, and a snorkel and mask.
• Up for a picnic? Bring an eskie with your snacks for the day. Dunk Island has picnic tables and free gas BBQs for day visitors and campers. Otherwise, be sure to add the lunch option with your island transfer.
• Wear covered shoes for the walking tracks.
• Don’t worry about bringing enough water because you can fill up your bottles with safe water straight from the island’s taps.
• There are even nine campsites in the national park for those keen to embark on an overnight adventure – just be sure to bring all the food and supplies you’ll need.

PM: Savour the moment

Soak up your final afternoon back on the beach, then raise your cocktail glass to waterside views tonight at Plenty, a casual restaurant and bar with a focus on modern Australian bites. Be sure to order the coconut prawns – a local favourite.

Captivated by Mission Beach’s charm and want to stay a little longer? Fill your days with adventures big and small, from sky diving to scouring the Sunday markets for treasures. Then, head north to discover Cairns.