Picnic Spots
Great Picnic Spots
Alligators Nest
A beautiful rainforest stream for swimming and picnics. BBQ, picnic and toilet facilities, crystal clear water and magnificent surroundings (6.7 klm from Tully). Turn right into Tully from the Highway into Butler Street, the main access. The first right again into Murray Street, following the cane train tracks. There are two more right hand turns, and the road is called Murray Street all the way. Continue on this road until you see the sign for ‘Alligators Nest State Forest Park’, where you turn left. From Tully to this point has been 5.8 klm. It is only a further 800 metres to the car park, picnic and beautiful swimming spot. No kiosk and definitely NO crocodiles or alligators!
You can either return via the same route into Tully, or at the ‘Alligators Nest State Forest Park’ continue straight ahead. Continue over the Bookal Bookal Creek. “Look Out for Trains Crossing”. Take the first right at the sign saying “Feluga”. Travel past the Feluga School and onto the Feluga Hotel on the corner (5 klm from the Alligators Nest Sign). Follow the road “LOOK OUT FOR TRAINS - DANGER” , over the lines and onto the Highway.
You can either travel straight across the Highway and head back towards Mission Beach via the East Feluga Road which is the most direct way, turn right towards Tully and turn at the Mission Beach turn off, or left towards El Arish and take the Mission Beach turn off.
Tully Gorge
Approximately 44 klm inland from Tully on a sealed road. Drive up Butler Street, turn left at the Post Office into Bryant Street. Drive till you pass the cemetery and brick works, and follow the directions.
You travel through banana plantations, cattle grazing country and rainforest. After the road crosses the Tully River, you are entering the Gorge itself, which is an outstanding example of a tropical rainforest gorge. There are excellent views from the sealed road which traverses the Gorge up to Cardstone and the Kareeya Power Station.
The Tully River is renowned for white water rafting which operates throughout the year. There are marked viewing areas for watching the white water rafting action, viewing times are approximately 1pm and 2pm daily. At the entrance to the gorge there is a beautiful camping area on the river with BBQ facilities, and safe for swimming. No Kiosk.
Murray Falls
These falls, among the prettiest in North Queensland with their 30 m drop, spectacular sculptured rocks and crystal clear rock pools can be viewed from an easily accessible platform.
Turn from the Highway 18 kilometers south of Tully. It is well sign posted. Travel approximately 22 klms to the camping and picnic area, where you can also enjoy swimming, walking and BBQ facilities. The drive takes you through the Murray Upper region which is a banana and lychee growing area.
Paronella Park - Mena Creek
Travel north on the Highway towards Innisfail, and turn left from the Highway at Silkwood (7 Klm from El Arish/Mission Beach turn-off). Follow the signs to Japoonvale, (a further 12 klm) through wonderful scenery and this historic sugar growing area. Follow the signs from Japoonvale to Mena Creek (10 klm).
The delightful area of Mena Creek is where Jose Paronella fulfilled his dreams building a magnificent Spanish Castle, and planting thousands of trees to establish a romantic garden. Set on 13 acres of rainforest, this is a delightful place to picnic, swim near the falls, feed the ducks and fish, spot turtles, watch the birds and butterflies, take a guided tour and visit the museum and craft shop. Picnic facilities, toilets, kiosk. Entrance fee charged into park.
Council picnic area on opposite side of Creek allows access for swimming, toilets, BBQ and picnic facilities if you don’t wish to enter the Park. Walking distance to Mena Creek Hotel, General Store and Post Office. Gas and Ice available at the General Store. Easy access for swimming is via a concrete walk , with some stairs, which takes you down to the pontoon from where you can swim over to the falls.
Return on a different route via South Johnstone (8 ½ klm away) to the Highway, then south to El Arish and the turn-off to Mission Beach.
Rotary Park - Wongaling Beach
Toilets, gas BBQ’s, picnic tables, under cover shelter, good views of Dunk Island, absolute beachfront.
Allan Wheatley Memorial Park - Wongaling Beach
Wood BBQ’s, picnic tables, toilets (disabled catered for), under cover shelter, children’s play area, good views of Dunk Island, absolute beachfront.
South Mission
Toilets, under cover shelter, BBQ facilities, picnic tables, on the beach
Bingil Bay
Toilets (across the road). BBQ facilities, picnic tables on the beach
Mission Beach
On the beach at the end of Seaview Street, to the north of Castaways Resort and the Stinger Net (November to May). Picnic tables and toilet facilities and Takeaway Food Kiosk.
