Mission Beach

Mission Beach is a beautiful part of Tropical North Queensland, Australia.

This coastal community consists of a group of linked beaches, which are approximately two hours from Cairns (pop. approx. 120,000) or three hours from Townsville (pop. approx. 200,000). Accessible via the Bruce Highway, Mission Beach consists of three main townships which are very small in size and services offered.

Like many areas of Northern Queensland, Mission Beach has a tropical climate year round. This exclsuive community is surrounded by World Heritage listed Rainforest, is fringed by glorious white sandy beaches and fronts on to the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef.

Being a few hours from a main city (by road), Mission Beach has a small permanent population of just a few thousand. However, due to its stunning location, pristine environment and tropical weather, it receives regular and numerous tourist visitors, which swell the region's small population.

Other than its pretty setting, Mission Beach attracts tourists and visitors mainly because of its close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, numerous sand cays and tropical islands. Mission Beach is also known as the main home for an endangered rainforest resident, the Southern Cassowary (pictured right).

Mission Beach residents are made up of a mixture of small business owners, retirees, local employees and employees who work in the neighboring townships of Tully and Innisfail.

The local Mission Beach economy relies quite heavily on tourism. Mission Beach can be a very quiet place and has minimal entertainment. Some residents and visitors appreciate that the area is hardly developed, whilst others wish it had more facilities to enjoy, therefore maximizing its un-tapped potential as a lifestyle and tourism centre.

By the Mission Beach Regional Development Group supporting development and business, it is encouraging the creation of new jobs, which can allow new people to make their home in the area. It is difficult for Mission Beach to attract new residents when employment opportunities are not readily available.