30 September 2007

Mission comes alive!

Wow. Mission Beach is full of holidaymakers, Sea Patrol people and the normal assortment of backpackers and farm workers busy on the bananas. It's perfect weather for a holiday so plan ahead, book ahead and come to Mission Beach!

Mission comes alive!

Wow. Mission Beach is full of holidaymakers, Sea Patrol people and the normal assortment of backpackers and farm workers busy on the bananas. It's perfect weather for a holiday so plan ahead, book ahead and come to Mission Beach!

exploring oz

I've just come back from exploring my own backyard! What a trip, 6 days and 5 nights traveling up to Cape York from Mission Beach. We slept in swags under the stars, saw remote cattle stations, swam in creeks, saw ancient aboriginal rock art, cooled off in waterfalls and bumped along some of the most remote roads in Australia. Our main destination was the northern most part of Australia and I'm here to tell you the view from the tip of Australia was awesome! The company we traveled with were fantastic, give them a try, www.exploring-oz.com.au

28 September 2007

Mission Beach

Well the weather is just perfect again today in Mission Beach. Just driven to work and the sea looked just beautiful with the sun shining on it. I am so lucky that I have this drive to work, it starts the day off in the right way!

27 September 2007

Mission comes alive!

Wow. Mission Beach is full of holidaymakers, Sea Patrol people and the normal assortment of backpackers and farm workers busy on the bananas.
It's perfect weather for a holiday so plan ahead, book ahead and come to Mission Beach!

26 September 2007

Sea Patrol is back in town

Sea Patrol has come back to Mission Beach to start filming the second series. Lucky them, what a fabulous place to work, the sun is shining, the sky is clear and the water looks perfect. If your into star watching then come and visit Mission Beach because you will be sure to see someone you know!

25 September 2007

Mission Breeze

This beach cottage is situated just a short way from Mission Beach, restaurants, bars and shops and with the beach and swimming enclosure just off your front garden. The cottage is brightly coloured and sets a holiday mood immediately, as you walk in. Accommodation provides for 6 people with 2 queen size beds and a twin room. The living, dining and kitchen offer a relaxed atmosphere and easy living with no fuss.

23 September 2007

At last I have been out to the Reef with Calypso! It was just awesome....the weather was perfect and the visibility was amazing. I saw a turtle, stingray, loads of fish and beautiful coral. We left Mission Beach about 8.30am and didn't get back until 6.00pm so it was a great day out. The staff were lovely, really looked after us etc. I am so excited to go out again!!!! Roll on my next Reef trip!

22 September 2007

Great Reef Weather - Book Ahead

This time of year is perfect for exploring the Great Barrier Reef; sunshine, minimal wind and warmer temperatures. Here in Mission Beach we have two fantastic companies, Calypso and Quickcat that go out to various areas of the Reef. Unfortunately Quickcat will be out of service for approximately a week as they are waiting for part to come from China. With the school holidays being a very busy time it is crucial to book ahead if you are wanting to go out to the Great Barrier Reef.

21 September 2007

I'm going on holidays!

Yeah! I'm going on holidays, its my turn at last! Day in, day out I meet people traveling through Mission Beach, Far North Queensland, Australia - they are having fun, relaxing and exploring. Well now it's my turn, I'm heading to Cape York with Exploring Oz. I can't wait, 6 days, 5 nights exploring the top of Australia with a professional tour company, sleeping in swags under the stars, chatting around the camp fire and generally chilling out. Lucky we have a great team at the Mission Beach Information Station, Steve, Jan, Leanne and Kallina, who can keep organising fun for others while I'm off having a ball! Thanks gang!

18 September 2007

Finally!

Finally, I am going out to the Great Barrier Reef with Calypso! I am going on Thursday with my partner and his friend who is visiting from The U.K. I have had two previous trips arranged that have fallen through so I am very excited. It is only going to be 11 knots on Thursday, perfect weather and better as far as my sea sickness goes! I love snorkeling and am hoping to see all sorts of cool things. My partner will go diving, he wants me to do it, but I am not sure yet! As we live in Mission Beach I will have plenty of opportunity to change my mind! I will be posting a blog after my adventure to the Great Barrier Reef!

16 September 2007

Enjoy the great outdoors in Mission Beach

I remember as a child my parents always telling me to go outside and play, I don't think you really appreciate the benefits when your young. Yesterday I went for a walk along South Mission Beach and it was great to see so many people outside enjoying the sunshine. There were speed boats, sail boats and fishing boats. There were people walking, swimming, fishing and water-skiing all along the beach........ I just love living in Mission Beach, especially in winter.

15 September 2007

Swimming in the sea

I really recommend that anyone living at Mission Beach should go for a swim in the sea at the moment! The temperature is just right for a refreshing dip. Salt water is really good for the skin. It draws out toxins in the body and heals any cuts and bruises really quickly. It helps you lose any excess water retention by drawing it out. Not only will you feel refreshed, you will be benefiting from the healing properties of the sea. So get swimming!

14 September 2007

Civic Guest House

TOWNSVILLE: Strategically located near the Townsville CBD, Civic Guest House is the best choice when deciding where to stay for a comfortable, friendly and affordable holiday. A popular spot for backpackers and travellers, Civic Guest House offers clean and tidy budget, shared and private accommodation in the form of dorms, twin, double, single and ensuite rooms. All come with linen and some the option of a fan or air conditioning. All single, double and ensuite rooms come with a bar fridge and small TV.

Backpackers

I like to think of Mission Beach as a bit of a chill-out place for the backpackers travelling through. They are usually on their way from Townsville or Cairns and turn up here a little hungover and a little tired! They have a chance to chill and re-charge their batteries. Mission Beach is the ideal place to relax and soak up the sea and the sun. Don't get me wrong, there is so much to do here, skydiving, sea-kayaking, rafting, walking and loads more. It's just nice to see the backpackers visibly relaxing when they get here. Mission Beach is definately the place to chill!!!

Growing up in Mission Beach

School holidays are coming up in a couple of weeks...got me thinking. I haven't got any children at the moment, but always think that Mission Beach is such a superb place for children to grow up. I grew up in the U.K in a standard built up town where there was no wildlife to speak of, and no beach worth seeing unless you drove for a while. The thing is the kids probably don't realise how lucky they are living here with the beaches and the rain-forest and all the wildlife around them. Maybe they do and I am under estimating them! Anyway maybe I am just feeling broody!!!!

Friends over

We have just said goodbye to our friends from the U.K....sad to see them go but know they had a wonderful time. They were enthralled with Mission Beach. They thought it could possibly be the most beautiful place they had ever been to! The weather was gorgeous for them on their day to Dunk Island. They enjoyed the walk there and chilled out afterwards at the jetty cafe. They were also very lucky to have two sightings of a cassowary. We really must look after these birds, they are amazing. So they have photos to take back and show our friends. I will miss them, but nothing beats life in Mission Beach!

13 September 2007

Palace Central

BRISBANE: Often referred to as the "Party Palace", you'll stay in a beautiful heritage-listed building in the centre of Brisbane opposite Central Station. With 24 hour reception and security lockers in every room, everything you need is at your fingertips.

Trek North Safaris

CAIRNS: Trek North Safari's is a locally owned and operated tour company. Established in 1991, Trek North has proudly been showing off the exotic and unique World Heritage Daintree Rainforest to thousands of tourists every year. Trek North really knows the Daintree!

12 September 2007

I dont want to work today

I did not want to come to work today and my daughter did not want to go to school. The sky is blue, the water is flat and inviting. A perfect day in MissionBeach, the views of Drunk Island are amazing. We want to play!

10 September 2007

We love the sunshine

We have been having some fabulous weather here in Mission Beach. 10-15 knots out on the water, which makes for a great trip to the Great Barrier Reef for awesome snorkeling and scuba diving. Of course just hanging out at the beach is great fun, or even a sea kayaking trip to Dunk Island is an option when the weather is so good. So get out there and enjoy the sunshine.

09 September 2007

Holiday memories

Many of us can't help ourselves and always take loads of photos when on holidays, and really how can you not when your in such a beautiful place like Mission Beach. Thank goodness for digital cameras I say, not only can you delete the really embarrassing photos but you can also save them to disk and print them at your leisure. Come into the Mission Beach Information Station where you can do both, and we will be here to help you do it.

08 September 2007

Cruise Whitsundays

AIRLIE BEACH: EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE REEF TRIP! Cruise through the stunning Whitsunday Islands and on to the outer Great Barrier Reef on board 'Seaflight', the Whitsundays' premier day cruise vessel. Experience Queensland's most innovative and spacious reef pontoon located at Knuckle Reef. Knuckle Reef Pontoon features Queensland's largest and most spectacular underwater viewing chamber and is the only reef pontoon in Australia with a giant waterslide. Explore pristine Knuckle Reef Lagoon, acclaimed as the region's most spectacular Great Barrier Reef site.

Planning verse flexibility

Sometimes in life going with the flow is the way to go, other times you have to plan ahead. Knowing when to do which is the tricky bit. Personally I think it is important to book your transport, whether a Greyhound or Premier Bus or a Ferry to Drunk or Magnetic Islands. If you are traveling during Queensland school or university holiday times it is also important to book ahead, or you could end up sleeping on the streets, not something we advise. Use the Mission Beach Information Station to help with your planning, we do know what we are doing and will help you keep the balance between planning and flexibility.

07 September 2007

Beautiful Weather In Mission Beach

The weather here in Mission Beach finally looks as though it''s clearing up, today has been a beautiful sunny day and more fine weather is expected over the weekend... Great weather to get out to the Great Barrier Reef or take a day trip to Dunk Island.

Jettys Restaurant & Wine Bar

Mission Beach's newest licensed restaurant NOW OPEN! Modern Australian cuisine. Indoor and outdoor seating for 60. EFTPOS available. Bookings preferred. Open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday 12.30pm - 2.30pm. Open 7 nights from 6.00pm - 9.00pm. Located at 37 Porter Promenade, Mission Beach. Ph: 4088 6735.

Gecko's Backpackers

CAIRNS: Gecko's is a small, quiet and friendly hostel centrally located to all the important facilities of Cairns.

The Woolshed Backpackers

HERVEY BAY: Our small and friendly family run hostel offers you a home away from home with cosy, well appointed rooms and clean and well maintained facilities. The Woolshed is located right in the center of Hervey Bay, only 5 min. walk to the beach, shops, supermarket, restaurants and pubs. Our rooms are spread out over 3 different buildings, situated within a large garden, surrounded by ponds, tropical vegetation, palm trees and gum trees.

06 September 2007

Reef Palm

Reef Palms is a Cairns resort equally suited to business or pleasure. Holiday makers can enjoy resort relaxation and a chance to visit the nearby Great Barrier Reef or the beautiful Palm Cove village, while business travellers are well catered for with our focus on productivity, offering you business essentials without losing the relaxed feel of the tropics.

School Holidays Coming Up

Wow! do we get busy during the school holidays. So Mission Beach, lets get ready. The Queensland holidays start on Friday 21 September for 2 weeks. University holidays are due to start in the end of the week. Have fun and remember to offer up the best that Mission Beach has.

05 September 2007

Range Of Tours On Offer

Here at the Mission Beach Information Station our brochure racks are overflowing with the wide range of tour and accommodation options we have available. Feel free to come in and have a friendly chat about any tour and accommodation queries you have.

04 September 2007

Don't forget to check your room

One of the important rules of traveling is to check your room before you leave, because you never know what might be hiding under the bed. We had a backpacker this morning who left her shoes at Scottys Beach House and was about to get on the bus from Mission Beach to Townsville.....she will now be walking around bare feet until the hostel can post her shoes on to her.......oops!

03 September 2007

Hinchinbrook Island

Hinchinbrook Island is located off shore from Cardwell, just over an hour south of Mission Beach. If you only have a day to check out the island then I recommend the day cruise on Hinchinbrook Explorer, it is one of my favourite adventures. You cruise from Cardwell to Hinchinbrook Island to collect any guests staying at the Wilderness Lodge, then proceed to Ramsay Bay. A quick trek across the sand dunes takes you to a lovely stretch of beach where you can go for a swim or a walk. Back on the boat and off to Macushla, this is the best part of the day for me, you can get a picnic lunch and walk the 5kms or so back to the Wilderness Lodge. I did this walk with an 8 year old friend and she loved it, I think the fact that I told her she could go for a swim in the Lodge pool before getting back on the boat was all the incentive she needed....and me for that matter. A fabulous day that I strongly recommend and only a short drive from Mission Beach.

02 September 2007

Fun to be had on Dunk Island

Dunk Island is located about 4km's off shore from Mission Beach. Quick Cat Ferry and Dunk Island Express Water Taxi are two ways to travel across if you want a transfer only. A couple of fun ways that add a bit more to the experience is to Sea Kayak or Jet Ski, both are great tours that can be arranged for your enjoyment. Once on the island you can walk, soak up the sun on the beach, snorkel or visit Watersports and see what activities you can organise. There are plenty of things to keep you amused whilst visiting Dunk Island.

01 September 2007

Skydiving in Mission Beach

While your visiting Mission Beach why not try skydiving. See our beautiful coast line, reef and rainforest all from the air ! Here in Mission Beach we have 2 skydiving companies, Paul's Parachuting and Jump the Beach, both are very friendly companies and operate daily (depending on weather conditions )