Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

THE NORTH COAST 297
By Train Five trains a week on the Cairns–Brisbane–Cairns route call at the
nearest train station, Tully, about 20km (12 miles) away. One-way travel from
Cairns on the Tilt Train costs A$43 (US$28) for the 3-hour journey. From Brisbane,
fares range from A$183 (US$119) in an economy seat to A$345
(US$224) for a first-class sleeper on the Sunlander. Call Queensland Rail’s longdistance
division, Traveltrain (& 13 22 32 in Australia, or 07/3235 1122). A
taxi from Tully to Mission Beach with Tully Taxis & Buses (& 07/4068 3937)
is about A$40 (US$26).
A bus transfer to Mission Beach with Mission Beach Bus & Coach (& 07/
4068 7400) is A$7 (US$4.55). You must book.
VISITOR INFORMATION The Mission Beach Visitor Centre, Porters
Promenade, Mission Beach, QLD 4852 (& 07/4068 7099; fax 07/4068 7066;
www.missionbch.com), is located at the northern end of town. It’s open Monday
through Saturday 9am to 5pm, and Sunday 9am to 4pm.
GETTING AROUND Mission Beach Bus & Coach (& 07/4068 7400)
travels day and night between the beach communities, stopping outside all the
accommodations houses listed below, at Clump Point Jetty, and at Wongaling
Beach near the water taxi to Dunk Island. Sugarland Car Rentals (& 07/4068
8272) is the only rental-car company in town. For Mission Beach taxi service,
call & 07/4068 8155.
WHAT TO SEE & DO IN THE AREA
EXPLORING THE REEF The Quick Cat runs snorkel and dive trips from
Mission Beach to Beaver Cay on the outer Great Barrier Reef. See “Exploring
the Great Barrier Reef” section earlier in this chapter for details.
WHITE-WATER RAFTING ON THE TULLY A day’s rafting through the
rainforest on the Grade 3 to 4 Tully River is a memorable experience. In raftspeak,
Grade 4 means “exciting rafting on moderate rapids with a continuous
need to maneuver rafts.” On the Tully, that translates to hair-raising but manageable
rapids punctuated by calming stretches. You don’t need experience, just
a decent level of agility and an enthusiastic attitude. RnR Rafting (& 07/
4051 7777) runs a trip that includes 5 hours on the river with fun-loving and
expert guides, a barbecue lunch in the rainforest, and a video screening of your
adventure. With transfers, the day costs A$135 (US$88) from Mission Beach,
A$145 (US$94) from Cairns, Palm Cove or Townsville, and A$160 (US$104)
from Port Douglas, plus a A$10 (US$6.50) national park fee. The trip runs
daily, and you must be 13 years or older.
EXPLORING THE RAINFOREST & COAST Walking, wildlife spotting,
canoeing in the forest, and kayaking along the pristine coast are all well worth
doing. Hiking trails abound through national-park rainforest, fan palm groves,
and along the beach. The 8km (5-mile) Licuala Fan Palm track starts at the
parking lot on the Mission Beach-Tully Road about 1.5km (1 mile) west of the
turnoff to South Mission Beach. It leads through dense forest, over creeks, and
Tips Bring Along the Cash . . .
There is no bank in Mission Beach, and the only ATM is at Mission Beach
Resort, Wongaling Beach, so come with enough cash, traveler’s checks,
and/or a credit card.