Mission Beach Activities

Mission Beach is home to an abundance of activities to suit every taste. Many activities are available within Mission Beach, while others are just a short scenic drive away.

All tours offer free pick ups from all accommodation.

Pauls Parachuting

Web address: www.xtremeskydiving.com.au

Skydive onto Mission Beach with the “Xtreme Team”. No experience necessary. Breathtaking views from 10,000ft to 14,000ft above the earth. You will go from 0 to 220kph in 5 seconds. Catch your breath then lose it again as you take in the “birds eye view” of the best drop zone in Australia.

Jump The Beach

Web address: www.jumpthebeach.com.au

For the person into extreme sports Jump the Beach is an exhilarating skydive from 10,000ft to 14,000ft for up to 1 minute freefall over 14 kilometres of white sandy beaches... spectacular Great Barrier Reef and island views... smooth landing onto Australia’s Beach Drop Zone — Mission Beach.

White Water Rafting

Raging Thunder Web address: www.ragingthunder.com.au

RnR White Water Rafting Web address: www.raft.com.au

If you are wanting the ultimate in rafting, you want an unforgettable day on the Tully River. The Tully River is Australia's most famous one day white water rafting experience. The rapids boast a constant 3–4 grading.

You will enjoy up to 5 hours of rafting (no experience necessary) over more than 45 rapids with the magical World Heritage Rainforest surrounding you on all sides.

This is a whole day of fast moving action packed adventure.

Chose either Raging Thunder or R n R White Water Rafting Company for your day of fun.

Calypso Dive

Web address: www.calypsodive.com

Calypso Dive explores several different Outer Great Barrier Reef sites suitable for snorkellers, introductory and certified divers. They have 2 purpose built dive boats.

“Calypso” their 30ft Procat offers toilet and shower facilities, back deck canopy and comfortable padded seating for a maximum of 18 passengers. This is also available for private charters.

“Calypso II” is a 21 meter boat offering 2 bathrooms with hot freshwater showers, a large back deck and easy access to a sun deck.

Calypso gives the ultimate Great Barrier Reef Experience. All dives are guided by experienced instructors and divemasters. They will give you free snorkeling lessons, an introductory dive or if you wish to become a certified diver they have their own purpose built dive centre.

Quick Cat Dunk Island and Great Barrier Reef Cruises

Web address: www.quickcatcruises.com.au

Cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef and visit Dunk Island on the same day with Quick Cat Cruises on their 23 metre fast catamaran. Departing Clump Point Jetty at Mission Beach it will take approximately 20 minutes to arrive at Dunk Island. Here you will spend about 1 hour before departing for a 1 hour (approximately) cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. Here you will spend 3 magical hours at Beaver Cay exploring the Great Barrier Reef’s colourful array of corals and marine life.

Quick Cat Cruises provide free use of snorkelling equipment and assistance when needed or you may wish to view from the Glass Bottom Boat. For those of you who would like to try diving, an introductory dive can be arranged. Certified divers are also catered for.

Mission Beach Water Taxi

Web address: www.missionbeachwatertaxi.com

Mission Beach Water Taxi offers regular trips to Dunk Island daily. Their first trip departs Wongaling Beach at 9:30am followed by runs at 11:00am; 12:30pm; 2:30pm and 4:15pm. They return from Dunk Island at 10:00am; 12:00 noon; 2:00pm and 4:45pm.

The trip only takes 10 mins. This is a great way to visit Dunk Island if you did not wish to stay for a full day.

Coral Sea Kayaking

Web address: www.coralseakayaking.com

Sea kayaking is an active, fun and eco-friendly way to explore the tropical waters and verdant rainforest of magical Dunk Island. Glide silently over the fringing reef, spot turtles and dolphins from one of the double kayaks which are safe, stable and easy to paddle.

You do not have to be really fit to enjoy Coral Sea Kayaking’s day trip. It takes approximately 1 hour 15 mins to paddle across to Dunk Island. You will have the opportunity to relax on sandy beaches, snorkel over the fringing reef and enjoy a stroll through the rainforest. Learn about the island and reef ecology as well as Aboriginal and pioneering history of the area.

Coral Sea Kayaking also offers a half day tour. You paddle from South Mission Beach along the coast passing golden sandy beaches and rocky headlands offering you a chance to see turtles and the many sea birds that abound this scenic coastline. Learn about the coastal reef and mangrove ecology whilst looking for rays in the shallow waters.

The Kayak Company

Web address: www.thekayakcompany.com.au

If you would like to do a self-guided kayak trip then The Kayak Company can assist. Enjoy a relaxing paddle & explore the beautiful waters of Mission Beach or just splash about having fun in the sun.

Spend an hour or two observing the amazing marine life that you may encounter. Pack a picnic and set off in search of that perfect location to spend the day. Cruise close to shore, exploring the spectacular coastline, discovering pristine beaches and out of the way bays of Mission Beach.

The Kayak Company have a wide range of very stable single and double sit-on-top kayaks to suit all ages, level of skill & experience. Try Kayak Fishing in one of their purpose built fishing kayaks. These are fitted with rod holders, tackle box, cup holders, rod leashes and esky wells. They supply the kayak, all safety equipment, hand reel, basic tackle and local knowledge on fantastic fishing spots.

It’s your choice — hire for 1 hour or all day. But just remember to have fun.

River Rat Cruises

Web address: www.riverratcruises.com

River Rat Eco Cruises departs daily and offers a relaxed and informative wildlife discovery along the Hull River. This is available in English and/or German.

Guests are encouraged to make the most of the opportunities for hands-on participation. Learn how to set traps for the elusive Queensland mud crab — one of the region’s finest delicacies. Into the evening you’ll be equipped with a spotlight as we go in search of the infamous saltwater crocodile — one of the oldest and most awesome predators on earth. This is one day you’ll never forget!

Saltaire Charters

Saltaire Charters is locally owned and operated by Simon Wood who has a wealth of knowledge about the Great Barrier Reef.

Saltaire Charters specialise in private charters. Their custom built 34ft Express Sport Fisher was launched in Cairns in 2003. They are able to offer you maximum utilisation of the local area and its many activities, from snorkelling over colourful coral gardens and island cruising to catching a Coral Trout for dinner.

They offer light tackle reef fishing to heavy tackle game fishing. Tournament Charters are also available on request.

You may like to spend the day snorkelling the outer reefs adjacent to tropical Mission Beach, visiting local pristine sand cays and coral gardens located on the Great Barrier Reef or visiting the local islands and fringing reefs. Cruise past world famous Bedarra Island on you way around the Family Group of Islands.

The months of July, August and September are ideal to spot Humpback Whales which often congregate in the shallow waters around our local islands and reefs to calve.

One of Saltaires most popular charters incorporates a day of fishing and snorkelling, so you can experience the best of both worlds.

With superior fishing grounds, magic scenery, we are confident you will not be disappointed with what Saltaire Charters has to offer you.

Fishin’ Mission

Web address: www.fishinmission.com.au

Your skipper Dennis Daly has been a Mission Beach local for many years and has fished the area from day one. His combined global fishing experiences together with the local knowledge he has amassed, means that you will be given the best chances to get the catches you want.

“Fishin’ Mission” the vessel is a boat that Dennis had custom made to give his clients the most comfortable, safe and enjoyable fishing experience out to sea.

Each day out on the reef is different and Dennis’ experience enables him to choose the very best fishing spots depending on the conditions, time of year and the client’s experience.

Mission Beach has a huge selection of top fishing locations and can offer you a great fishing experience, which is different every day.

Paronella Park

Web address: www.paronellapark.com.au

Paronella Park was the dream of José Paronella. He arrived in Australia from Catalonia in Spain, in 1913. For the next 11 years he worked, cutting sugar cane initially, then purchasing, improving, and reselling cane farms.

In 1924 he returned to Spain and married Margarita in 1925. The trip back to Australia was their honeymoon. José first saw this 13 acres of virgin scrub along Mena Creek in 1914. He eventually purchased it in 1929 for £120 and started to build his pleasure gardens and reception centre for the enjoyment of the public. They laboured with unswerving determination until in 1935 the Park was officially opened to the public. Movies were shown in the hall every Saturday night. And with the canvas chairs removed the hall was a favourite venue for dances and parties.

In 1948 José died of cancer leaving Margarita, daughter Teresa and son Joe to carry on. The park was sold out of the family in 1977 and sadly in 1979 a fire swept through the castle.

Mark and Judy Evans, the current owner/operators, purchased the park in 1993 and formulated a plan to put the park back on the map. They see the park as a work of art, and work on maintaining and preserving rather than rebuilding. Small restoration projects have been undertaken, pathways uncovered and improved, and the museum, an ongoing project, is continuously being enhanced.

Paronella Park’s life as a pleasure gardens continues as José intended, for visitors and with social gatherings, particularly weddings, continuing to make use of this unique location. There are many tours you can take around Paronella Park or you may just enjoy meandering at your own leisure.

Johnstone River Crocodile Farm

Web address: www.crocfarm.com

The Johnstone River Crocodile Farm is owned and operated by Mick and Margaret Tobone who have 50 years experience with crocodiles between them.

On display are 3500 crocodiles ranging in size from 30cm to a huge 5.2 metre monster weighing approximately 1200kg, with the oldest croc is 90 years old.

You will be taken on an educational guided tour explaining how crocodiles breed, survive and how by farming them we are actually conserving these magnificent reptiles.

You will also find a huge selection of other animals that inhabit our region.

Johnstone River Crocodile Farm is situated at Innisfail approx 45mins drive north of Mission Beach.

Tully Sugar Mill

Tully Mill, primarily owned by local cane suppliers, was established in 1925 and is one of Queensland’s super mills — capable of crushing sugar cane at over 700 tonnes per hour.

In 2002 the mill crushed 2.38 million tonnes of cane harvested from 24,250 hectares and produced over 300,000 tonnes of high quality raw sugar.

Each year throughout the crushing season Tully Sugar Mill offers tours of the mill explaining the process involved from cutting the sugar cane and how it is processed into the sugar we eat.

The tours go for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. It is great insight into the sugar industry.