Spotlight on Mission Beach
Mother Nature is the centre of attention at beautiful Mission Beach. For starters, the area boasts seemingly never-ending, unspoilt pure white sandy beaches and deserted little islands that are sprinkled in the azure water of the Coral Sea. All of this is fringed by lush, emerald green tropical rainforest, surrounded by beautiful reef. This 14 kilometre secluded beach is perfect for resting, relaxing and rejuvenating, but don’t be mistaken in thinking it’s all ‘sit back and relax’ in this beautiful region – there are some very exciting adrenalin pumping activities for you to discover too!
Perfectly situated at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, there’s always time for a beautiful glide under the water, either diving or snorkelling. Be met by exquisitely coloured assorted fish species as spectacular hard and soft corals dance and mingle pleasantly in the gentle breeze-like currents. Not keen on underwater activities? No problem – visit Clump Point Jetty, hire a dinghy, pack a gourmet picnic lunch and seek out a ‘deserted’ island. If you feel like a little more action on the water, join a kayaking group and playfully paddle in these superb waters.
If you’re in the mood for some real heart thumping activities, try skydiving and land on the beach. There’s also white-water rafting, jet skiing or a cruise around the area on a mountain bike. The four quaint little villages that make up Mission Beach are Wongaling Beach, South Mission Beach, Bingil Bay and North Mission Beach. Be sure to have an aromatic coffee and a sumptuous meal from one of the local cafes and eateries.
This special area has a remarkable and very interesting history, dating back to 1872. It was first utilised by the timber-getters, whose job it was to retrieve timber from the adjacent rainforests. These men would sometimes camp on the beach itself. Local Indigenous people were employed for their assistance in the hauling of timber, with their payment being tools, tobacco and other wares. The Indigenous people were generally considered friendly; although, when the ‘Maria’ was wrecked, the captain and some of the crew were killed by the locals. In 1882, the first Europeans settled in the Mission Beach area at Bingil Bay, farming mangoes, citrus fruit, bananas, pineapples, and coconuts. They also grew and processed their own coffee. This produce was then shipped south.
Chinese banana farmers in the early 20th century employed local Indigenous people as labourers. Unfortunately, Indigenous conflict with European settlers, as well as opium addiction became an issue, and so this problem needed to be ‘resolved’ by the Queensland government of the day. Consequently, they built an Indigenous compound at the present day Mission Beach, which was not actually a ‘mission’ in any religious sense, but a compound that had many similarities to a penal settlement. Superintendent John Martin Kenny commenced work on this compound on 1st September 1914. On the 10th March 1918, the Mission Beach buildings were completely destroyed in a cyclone and were never rebuilt. Consequently, The Indigenous people were moved to Palm Island, Queensland.
Despite the trials and tribulations of its past, Mission Beach is now an extremely popular holiday destination with a welcoming feel. This superb region will delight all your senses and has everything you need for that perfect holiday.
