The Rainforest
The area around Mission Beach provides the visitor with an opportunity to experience the remarkable World Heritage Rainforest.
A rainforest is a delicate and diverse eco system and home to thousands of plant types and animal species.
Further information can be obtained from:
- Queensland Heritage Trails Network
- Wet Tropics Management Authority
Day walks near Mission Beach include:
Licuala State Forest
The walk – A 1.25 km (30 min) Licuala Fan Palm Walk and 350m (20 min) Children’s Walk loops through rare Fan Palm forest. The Children’s Walk follows cassowary footprints to eggs in a nest. A “Cassowaries for Kids” brochure makes learning about these big birds a lot of fun.
How to get there – Take the Tully-Mission Beach Road and watch for signs for the turnoff. The carpark is about 1km down an unsealed road.
Licuala Rainforest Walk
The walk – Despite its length, this 4.6km (2 hour) walking track is a fairly easy walk along an overgrown forestry road. Gradient is minimal. The only difficulty may be in arranging a vehicle pick-up at the other end of the track.
How to get there – The track is accessible either from the carpark at Licuala State Forest or from the other end on the El Arish-Mission Beach Road about 2km southeast of the Lacey Creek Walk.
Edmund Kennedy Walking Track
The walk – In 1848, the Tropical North’s first European explorer Edmund Kennedy landed at Tam O’Shanter Point to begin his ill-fated expedition north to Cape York. Take a walk in his footsteps south of Mission Beach. The full track length is 7.8km (nearly 5 miles) round trip but walkers can turn around and retrace their steps whenever they’re tired. The track is narrow and rough in places and there are some sandy stretches and rock hopping along the beach. There is a picnic area at Kennedy Bay (distance 3.9km, 2 hrs).
How to get there – Park at the boat ramp on the southern end of South Mission Beach.
Bicton Hill Walk
The walk – This shady rainforest path leads to magnificent views of the coastline and is a great way to get your bearings when arriving in the region. A well maintained 4km (1.5 – 2 hrs) loop winds up to the top of Bicton Hill, with an easy downhill stretch for the walk back.
How to get there – The track begins 5km (3 miles) from North Mission Beach on the El Arish-Mission Beach Road.
Lacey Creek
The walk – This 1.2km circuit walk (30mins) is an easy stroll along a graded track with signs describing the local environment and its inhabitants – including the endangered cassowary.
How to get there – Lacey Creek is 5km from North Mission Beach on the El Arish-Mission Beach Road. Phoning (07) 4066-8779 will get you more details.
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