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Published: October 12th 2014
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The stacks
Heading toward Tully Arriving in Townsville we head straight for the caravan repair yard and our water pump is replaced,we are now fully self contained again.We went back to the caravan park we had stayed at previously and spent a couple of days washing and trying to get the dirt and dust off the car and caravan before heading for Mission Beach, which meant heading north passing through a town called Tully which we will return to and explore. Mission beach is a collection of 4 small towns or hamlets stretched along a length of beach some 14 kilometres long, each with their own character.The main town called Mission Beach is the hub of this community having a collection of shops including a post office, although the main shopping area with the only service station is some 4ks away.
Mission beach has a main street running parallel with the beach and is dotted with shops and restaurants catering for the holidaymaker.There is any number of holiday flats and other types of accommodation within walking distance of these amenities but the main attraction is the beach with the sea gently rolling in and out.There are no strong currents, no rips,no sand bars to trap
Mission Beach
You don't see these signs very often the unwary swimmer, there are signs however reminding bathers of the possibility of marine stingers or jellyfish particularly during the summer months.A stinger net enclosure is available during this time for bathers and is also patrolled during this season.Although rare there are also signs warning of crocodiles in the area( non seen on this beach in recent years).
On one side the beach on the other side the rain forest Mission beach has it all and is also the closest jump off point for the coral reef and spectacular diving and snorkeling.Sky diving and landing on the beach is also on offer. Several national parks are close by providing access to a range of activities such as swimming in crystal clear rock pools and gazing at tumbling waterfalls.These forests are also home to the endangered Cassowary a large flightless bird standing over 1 metre high along with many other animals that call this area home making this a great area for bush walking.
Our base is in a caravan park across the road from the beach and close to the shops,the beach is a delight to walk on and the sea refreshing to swim in, no stingers at
this time of year.From here we make several day excursions to nearby national parks and other attractions.
We visit two of the national parks, Murray falls state forest park and Tully Gorge.Tully Gorge is about a 70 km drive from Mission beach through spectacular mountain scenery with views of the Tully river with its famous rapids.For those adventurous enough a white water rafting experience is on offer which takes all day rafting through some pristine forest and on a world renown white water river,( we did this 15 years ago).Murray falls state forest park is reached 22km off the main highway through banana,sugar cane and lychee country,its an amazing sight to see so much produce growing by the road side and stretching back from the road for kms.At the end of the journey in a 30mt waterfall which plunges into several crystal clear rock pools ideal for swimming on a hot day,camping and picnicking are favorite pastimes here and walking trails are in abundance.
This coastline bore the brunt of cyclone Yasi and several of the small islands just off the mainland still bare the scars of this massive cyclone one such island being Dunk Island just a
short 15min by water taxi or you own private boat.Once boasting a holiday resort the island is yet to be rehabilitated,rumour has it the island has a new owner with plans to bring the resort back to life.In the meantime visitors to the island can take advantage of the pristine beaches for swimming and snorkeling.Together with friends we went over by water taxi on the Queensland long week end.A temporary bar and grill now adorns the beach next to the jetty where the water taxi berths, what else do we need.The beach is the main drawcard here but two walks are also available a 9km walk around the island and a 5 .6km walk to the top of Mt Kootaloo in the centre of the island, Jackie and Cheryl made the walk to the top on a very warm day,me I stayed close to the water.
To get to Tully Gorge you have to pass through the town of Tully, the town with the highest rainfall in Australia, rain falling an average of 150 days a year with the record being 311inches in 1950 and the highest daily fall was 45 inches. A giant gumboot measuring 7.9 metres adorns
the main street representing the highest recorded rainfall in Tully, erected in 2003 it contains a spiral staircase and viewing platform. As you approach Tully two large stacks with white smoke billowing out of them can be seem signaling the site of the sugar cane factory where in 2008 over 1.9 million tonnes of cane was crushed.The area is also known for its banana crop supplying over 85% of Australia's bananas producing over 19 million cartons in 2008. Tully lies in the heart of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area which is 869,843 hectares in size and home to over 3000 plant species and 25 endangered animal species.A very special place.
We also visit a small town which is named after a town in Egypt El Arish and in honour of the Australian light horse which saw action there in 1916 , the town was founded in 1921 as a soldier settlement area, many of the streets were named after high-ranking officers; with one pub which offers visitors a glimpse into the not to distance past.
Once again it is time to move on, this time to a caravan park right on the beach, we are going to
Rollingstone only 180kms further south.The caravan park is indeed right on the beach 4km north of Rollingstone.No swimming in the water this time with warning signs about crocks and sharks posted right on the beach.There is however a lagoon style swimming pool which we take advantage off.We have traveled here with our friends Ron and Cheryl and are joined by other friends we met on the road early this year.Time is spent swimming in the pool,playing boules, fishing and enjoying good company .A fire pit was dug by Ron on the beach and a fire set while we watched the eclipse of the moon and enjoyed a communal bar.b.q.Our last night together as a group is spent playing boules and eating pasta cooked and supplied by Ron.We are going our separate ways again hopefully to meet up again somewhere on the road.Our next stop is Bowen just 250km away passing Townsville on the way
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