Cardwell information
Located 120km north of Townsville, Cardwell is one of Queensland’s oldest towns, the gateway to Hinchinbrook Island and the Fruit Fly inspection point. Previously established as a port, Cardwell is now a popular fishing location.
Attractions and activities include the Reef and Rainforest Centre, Kennedy Falls and Murray Falls with a boardwalk, rainforest walk and swimming holes, the Cardwell Forest Drive, the Five Mile Swimming Hole and the Dalrymple Gap Walking Track. Join a charter or hire a boat for fishing, crabbing and prawning.
Accommodation options for visitors include resorts, motels and tourist parks, B&Bs, holiday units and hotels.
Dunk Island information
Located 4km from the mainland and accessed by boat from Mission Beach, Dunk Island is a beautiful tropical rainforest island. At one time occupied by the RAAF during WWII, Dunk Island is now part National Park, part resort and a great holiday destination for families.
Attractions and activities include rainforest walking trails, coral gardens, abundant bird life and butterflies, golfing, tennis and squash, water skiing, kayaking and snorkelling, horse riding, fishing and massage.
Accommodation options for visitors include camping and resort with kids club.
Hinchinbrook Island information
Located 160km north of Townsville and 5km off the coast from Cardwell, Hinchinbrook Isalnd is the largest island on the Great Barrier Reef. Hinchinbrook Island is actually two islands joined by an isthmus and is an unspoilt wilderness of virgin rainforest, pristine beaches and mangrove channel. It is a 45 min launch trip from Cardwell and suited to walkers and wilderness lovers.
Attractions and activities include snorkelling, kayaking and fishing, bushwalking camping and reef cruises.
Accommodation options for visitors restricted and include camping, serviced cabins and tree houses.
Innisfail information
Located 80km south of Cairns at the junction of North and South Johnstone Rivers, Innisfail has an Art Deco ambience due to rebuilding after a cyclone in 1918.
Previously established as a sugar cane and banana plantation area, Innisfail is now a service centre for agricultural industries.
Attractions and activities include the Nerada Tea Gardens, the Lit Zing Khuong Chinese temple, Art Deco Tour, Johnstone River Crocodile Farm and Eubenangee Swamp National Park.
Accommodation options for visitors include motels, caravan parks and B&Bs.
Lucinda information
Located 24km north east of Ingham, Lucinda is the gateway to Orpheus Island and a lively fishing and holiday village. Established as a port for the sugar mills at Ingham, it has the longest bulk sugar-loading jetty in the world, being 6km in length.
Attractions and activities include fishing, channel tours and Big Crystal Creek, visit Paluma Range National Park and walk the rainforest trails. Walk along the jetty, watch the cane trains cross the road, and visit the Victoria sugar mill at Ingham.
Accommodation options for visitors include motels, holiday units and bungalows.
Magnetic Island information
Located 8km across Cleveland Bay from Townsville, Magnetic Island is accessed by regular ferry services from Townsville. Utilised as a supply base in WWII, Magnetic Island now caters for couples, families and backpackers seeking an island holiday with abundant wildlife.
Attractions and activities include bushwalking, diving and snorkelling, sailing, horse riding and kayaking, 4WD, trail biking or golfing.
Accommodation options for visitors include resorts, apartments and B&Bs, backpackers, chalets and holiday units.
Mission Beach information
Located 139 km south of Cairns, Mission Beach area is comprised of five beaches: Garners Beach and Bingil Bay Beach to the north, Mission beach, then South Mission Beach and Wongaling Beach to the south. Previously settled by timber cutters, Mission Beach is now a tourist area with absolute beachfront accommodation. Attractions and activities include
Accommodation options for visitors include beach houses, guesthouses and holiday units, B&Bs, motels and caravan parks.
Orpheus Island information
Located 20km off shore from Ingham, Orpheus Island is accessible by plane from Townsville or launch from Taylors Beach or Lucinda. Orpheus Island is a National Park and caters to a limited number of guests.
Attractions and activities include bushwalking, swimming and bird watching, camping, snorkelling and fishing. Try tennis, sailing and paddling, or visit the Marine Research Station.
Accommodation options for visitors are limited to camping in the National Park or resort, which does not cater to children or day-trippers.
Townsville information
Located 133km north east of Charters Towers, Townsville is a stylish city with a sweeping waterfront esplanade. Previously established as a port for surrounding industries, today Townsville has a significant military presence.
Attractions and activities include the world's largest living coral reef aquarium, a wildlife sanctuary, casino, botanic gardens, beaches, museums and galleries.
Accommodation options for visitors include hotels, resorts and apartments, motels, beach houses and holiday units.
Contact the Visitor Information Centre at Cairns (07 4031 0784) for more information on the Reef Coast, Queensland. |
