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

300
CHAPTER 6 . QUEENSLAND & THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Mission Beach Eco Village This lodge occupies a magical site in the rainforest
on Clump Point, surrounded on three sides by water. You don’t see the sea
from your room, but it’s a step away to the sandy beach where you can swim and
snorkel in a picture-perfect lagoon. Stay in simple, roomy bungalows under the
trees. Each has pine paneling, tile floors, a very clean bathroom, and a deck. Some
have a kitchenette and a dining area, some have Jacuzzis; family bungalows have
three bunks for the kids. Breakfast is served on your balcony, and dinner is
among the trees in an open-sided Malaysian longhouse-style restaurant. The
natural-looking pool is lined with rocks and trees, and there’s a barbecue area.
Clump Point Rd., Mission Beach. QLD 4852. & 07/4068 7534. Fax 07/4068 7538. www.ecovillage.com.au.
17 bungalows (all with shower; 6 with spa bath). A$141 (US$92) double; A$155 (US$101) family or spa bungalow.
AE, DC, MC, V. Free off-street parking. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; outdoor pool; Jacuzzi; tour desk;
children’s playground; coin-op laundry. In room: A/C, TV w/in-house movies, minibar (deluxe rooms only), hair
dryer (some rooms), iron (some rooms).
Worth a Splurge
The Horizon With its beguiling views across the pool to Dunk Island, its
rainforest setting, and its impressive rooms, this resort perched on a steep hillside
is one of the most comfortable and beautiful you will find. Even the least
expensive rooms are spacious and have luxurious bathrooms. All but a handful
of rooms have some kind of sea view; a half-dozen retain the older-style bathrooms
from a previous resort development, but the sea views from these rooms
are the best. It’s just a minute or two down the rainforest track to the beach.
Explorer Dr., South Mission Beach, QLD 4852. & 1800/079 090 in Australia, or 07/4068 8154. Fax 07/4068
8596. www.thehorizon.com.au. 55 units. A$220–A$420 (US$143–US$273) double. Children A$20 (US$13)
extra. Ask about packages and specials. Rates are higher Dec 22–Jan 2. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 3 restaurants;
bar; large free-form saltwater pool; day/night tennis courts; tour desk. In room: A/C,TV with cable, minibar,
coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
WHERE TO DINE
Having a picnic on the beach or in one of the many small rainforest parks and
barbecue areas that dot the beachfront is the obvious way to enjoy a meal in Mission
Beach. Most restaurants and cafes are in Mission Beach proper, but you will
find a couple more in South Mission Beach. For tasty, cheap meals, try That’ll
Do (& 07/4068 7300); it’s next to the supermarket on Porter’s Promenade in
Mission Beach. The burgers, fish and chips, chili, and ice cream rarely cost more
than A$5 (US$3.25). Take your food to go, or eat at one of the plastic tables.
You can even BYO. It’s open 11am to 8pm, closed Thursday.
Friends HOME COOKING The cozy interior and a hearty menu emphasizing
local seafood make this place a long-standing favorite with locals. New
owner Chris Britten changes the menu every three months and offers nightly
specials. There are main courses to also tempt non-seafood lovers, such as marinated
rib filet, vegetarian curry, and jambalaya. Licensed.
Porters Promenade (opposite Campbell St.), Mission Beach.& 07/4068 7107 or 0408 865928. Reservations
recommended. Main courses A$14–A$22 (US$11–US$14). MC, V. Tues–Sun 6pm–late.
TOWNSVILLE & MAGNETIC ISLAND
346km (207 miles) S of Cairns; 1,371km (822 miles) N of Brisbane
With a population of 140,000, Townsville claims to be Australia’s largest tropical
city. Because of its size, and economy based on mining, manufacturing, education
and tourism, it is sometimes unjustly overlooked as a holiday destination.
The people are friendly; the city pleasant, and there’s plenty to do. The town is