Well we are into our second half of our Mission Beach holiday and we decided we would stay here for an extra week. This will make a total of 5 weeks when we finally leave. The weather at the moment has been pretty special and staying here a bit longer was an easy decision to make. Not that we have anything different planned for the extra week. Some of the grey nomads from Vic and NSW are slowly heading back south so the caravan park is slowly emptying out which is nice.

There was a Red Bull Defiance Race leg held at Mission Beach on our next weekend. This involved competitors in teams of two riding from Mission Beach to South Mission Beach through the hills , kayaking over to Dunk Island, running around Dunk then kayaking back to South Mission Beach then running along the beach to the finish line at Mission Beach. While we were watching on the beach the skydivers landed on the beach before the race finished which added a bit of spectacle to the event. Filled in a couple of hours and was good to see some people doing something strenuous.

While here at Mission Beach we also ran into Dave and Pam who we were camped next to three years ago when we were here. They come up here every year for around 4 months. We met them when we stayed at the previous caravan park. We ended up catching up a few times for a meal at the local Mission Beach Resort that does a great fish and chips for $15 on Friday night. It was good to see that they hadn’t changed to much and were both enjoying life and holidays.

Just outside of Tully is a place called Alligators Nest which is a very nice picnic and swimming area. One thing that we still are always amazed at is how crystal clear the water is in the rivers here. With the lush greenness of the flora and the contrasting clearness of the water it really is  a great part of the country. They are very lucky to have these type of natural amenities right at their back door.

We also did a weekly trip into Tully for some shopping provisions that we couldn’t get in Mission Beach. This was also a good reason to get out and about a bit and look around a bit more while we were out.

We both have never been to the Great Barrier Reef so we booked a day cruise for one day out to the reef that left from Dunk Island. We caught the water taxi from Mission Beach over to Dunk Island then boarded our boat there for the cruise. You could either snorkel or scuba on the cruise and we were only snorkelling. It was a good sized boat that was only about half full so that made the day even nicer. We also had a great day weather wise with light seas and winds. They took us to two spots for viewing the reef and both were OK. It wasn’t the best snorkelling we have seen but we both enjoyed the day out . They provided a good lunch and the on board facilities were quite good as well.

We did a great walk one day from South Mission Beach along the Kennedy Walking Track that took you along the coast around to Tam O’Shanter Point and to the mouth of the Hull River. We didn’t go all the way to the Hull River, didn’t really see much point in doing so as that part of the walk was just along a beach and we had been seeing lots of those while here. The walk up to the point was very interesting and with some sections on a boardwalk it made for some nice scenery. We ended up doing this walk a couple of times as it is interesting and relatively easy going.

We were keen to try and see some more Cassowary’s and were told that you could almost be guaranteed to see them at Etty Beach. Apparently they feed them at Etty Beach which very much frowned upon. We took the 50 km drive to Etty Beach and were fortunate enough to see two Cassowary’s. One was an adult and the other was a very mature chick that was now out on its own. The chick was just starting to get some blue colour around its head and its feathers were also just starting to go dark.

We were told of a place that was described to us by some locals as a hidden gem and worth the drive out to. We decided to give it a try and so it was Nyleta here we come. We packed a picnic lunch and set off. We weren’t sure how to get there and we were really hoping that Google Maps would lead us in the right direction. We ended up nearly getting there. The local shire had closed the area off due to vandalism as we found out when we got to the gate. So we had a quick look at the river near the gate then decided to back to El Arish and have a counter lunch at the old pub there. Made for a different day out.

The Dreaming Track walk was a short walk just a few kilometres out of Mission Beach. Like all walks around this area it takes you through some lush green rain forest, over a couple of creek crossings and crystal clear rock pools. This was a nice easy walk on flat ground along a very well defined path. We were also very lucky to see a Cassowary come out of the forest in front of us. When it came out we stopped and it slowly started walking towards us. When it got within about 5 metres we stepped off the track to let it pass. It kept walking right up to us and turned off when about a metre from us and disappeared into the forest. Quite an experience really. After it had gone a few steps into the forest it was really hard to see and camouflaged itself very well into the greenery.

While at Wongaling Beach CP there was Harvest Full Moon which had attracted a big gathering down at the beach to watch it rise. The Harvest Moon is when the moon rises as the sun is setting and this creates a brighter full moon. In the early days before modern machinery this used to enable farmers to work later into the evening with the extra natural light they got. From this it got its name as the Harvest Moon. Also this particular Harvest Moon was a special one as it also coincided with the moon being at its furthermost point from the earth. It will be over 40 years apparently until this particular event lines up again. Something else to try and hang around for I suppose.

A day trip to the Gambil Yalgav Misty Mountains was a day trip that we planned. The drive to the mountains took us through some very nice diary country with rolling green hills and very contented looking cows. We decided to walk the Gorrell Trailhead and walk part of the way to McNamee Creek. This was around a 7 km walk but along a pretty easy track. Luckily for us we had a nice clear day for the walk with no rain or mist in the air. As with all walks around this area, they take you through very lush and spectacular country side. When we got to McNamee Creek the water was flowing very well and it was a great place to dip your feet in and cool down. On our way back after the walk we stopped at Paronella Park for a look. We didn’t bother going all the way in and just looked at it from the outside. As we had stayed here previously, a quick walk around from the outside was enough for us.

We had heard at our caravan park that there were some Cassowary’s hanging around at Garners Beach which was a very short drive north of Mission Beach. We decided to go and see if we could see any and as we hadn’t been to this beach before thought the drive would be good anyway. As is was we didn’t manage to see any Cassowary’s but the beach was very nice, as are all the beaches it this area.

Our last day at Mission Beach also coincided with the Cassowary Festival. This is held each year and is centred around the Cassowary with lots of stalls giving out information about the Cassowary and other fauna in the area. There were a few market stalls as well to help keep you amused. Nice way to compete our stay in the Mission Beach area.

Well after a great five weeks in this fantastic part of Queensland and Australia we sadly have to pack up and head off. We have really enjoyed our little break from travelling and will definitely be back again sometime. We just hope that it doesn’t get to overdeveloped and spoil the relaxed atmosphere they have created here. Fingers crossed.

From Mission Beach we are heading inland to the table lands and towards Atherton to catch up with some friends. Hopefully the weather stays as good for us.

Townsville was our next stop after Bowen.  We were only planning to be in Townsville for two nights so didn’t have anything really planned while here as we had spent time here previously.  We stayed at the Riverside Convention Centre in Townsville which is on the banks of the Ross River. This is a park run by the Seventh Day Adventists and is in a great location near the river.  You hear and read different reports about the park but we find it ideal with nice big open areas and lots of grass.

We went looking for some bits and pieces for the caravan that we needed while in Townsville, but considering the size of the city they don’t really have anyone with a great range of accessories.  It filled in a couple of hours driving around though.  The only touristy thing we did was a visit to the Townsville Aquarium.  This was very good with a huge range of fish that are seen around the Great Barrier Reef.  We spent a couple of hours here looking at all the fish they had on display.  Near the caravan park they have a great walk along the banks of the Ross River and you are able to cross over at the weir and walk along the other side to another bridge and cross back over again.  This is around a 6 kilometre walk along easy paths.

Finally our next top was Mission Beach.  This had been our planned destination for a long time and it did feel like that we weren’t meant to get here at some stages, but we finally made it.  We are staying a few kilometres south of Mission Beach at Wongaling Beach.  The caravan park is the Dunk Island View Caravan Park which is directly opposite Dunk Island.  The park is lovely and green with nice large sites.   Dunk Island is only a couple of kilometres off the coast and a short water taxi ride away.

We didn’t have a lot planned for our four weeks here, just have a holiday and break from constant travelling.  We have been here for two weeks now and have had a very relaxing time.  The weather has been absolutely fantastic.  We have only had one rain day and that had all cleared up by around 1pm then it was blue skies again.

Lacey Creek walk was again on our list.  This is a nice easy walk through some lush tropical surrounds and with a gently flowing creek.  We were hoping to see a Cassowary and Ulysses Butterflies but sadly we didn’t.  This is a known spot for them but it wasn’t our day.  The walk was nice though.

We did a day trip out to Murray Falls which was about 40 kilometres away just past Tully.  The camp ground here was really nice with the whole camp ground being grassed.  It was right along side the creek that flows after the falls and with flushing toilets it seemed like a nice place to stay.  Probably the only downside we saw was it had a bit too much shade.  Murray Falls was flowing very well and the swimming area is nice a calm with easy access to the water.  We were lucky enough to see some Ulysses Butterflies while at Murray Falls.  Down near the swimming area we saw three flying around and trying to take a photo of one of them was a real challenge.  They are very flighty and don’t stay still for long when they do land.  Needless to say my patience wore thin and I gave up trying.  A very nice day out still the same.

Clump Mountain is just on the northern fringe of Mission Beach and is an easy walk up for some excellent views over Mission Beach.  We did this last time here as well and it was an easy choice to do it again.  Its also quite a popular walk as well and you pass quite  few people when doing it.

There are lots of food stalls around Mission Beach so we have been doing most of our basic vegetable and fruit shopping at these.  The only downside with this is that it can be a bit hit and miss at times, you still need to go to Woollies every now and then.

We booked onto a tour of the Tully Sugar Mill for a day out.  The mill is right on the edge of town and is the major employer in town. It is now owned by the Chinese and the locals seem to be quite happy about it so far.  The tour takes you right through the mill and goes for about two hours.  It cost $25 each and was worth the money.  Its very comprehensive and you didn’t feel like you were being rushed through.  All the sugar milled in Tully is exported with none kept for our domestic market.  Most is exported to China and also New Zealand, USA and South America.

Near Tully is Mt Tyson just on the edge of town.  Kaye decided that this would be a good idea to climb and tick off.  The walk started off easy but boy did it change not far up.  The track was very washed out and some of the steps were huge, you really had to scramble up some sections.  We thought Bluff Knoll in WA was quite hard and this was on the same scale.  The sign at the start of the walk does not tell you at all about the walk.  The view at Scouts Lookout was worth the effort though.

If ever doing this climb you wouldn’t want to do it if it had just been raining or was about to rain.  You do climb up some quite muddy sections that would be very slippery in the wet.  Coming down would be the worse.

Every Sunday in Mission Beach they have the Rotary Markets.  For the size of Mission Beach we felt these markets were quite large.  They have all the usual stalls with lots selling everything from home made pickles and jams to clothing and knick knacks.  We did feel this time though that there seemed to be less fruit and veggie stalls which as a bit disappointing.  Still they were nice to walk around and very popular.

Well its been a pretty relaxing first two weeks at Mission Beach.  Hopefully the next two weeks will be just the same weather wise.  So far we have had most days around 25/26 degrees, just perfect.  We are planning on doing a day trip out to the Great Barrier Reef in the next week.  We just have to pick a day with light winds, something for Kaye to plan…….