Discover the Wonder of the Cassowary Coast…

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Tully

Off the highway is the town of Tully. This major agricultural region employs many local and visiting backpackers to work in the local banana and sugarcane industries. Here you’ll see the giant Golden Gumboot which stands 7.9m tall to mark the record-breaking rainfall the town received in 1950. The town averages more than 4m of rain each year and celebrates it with the Golden Gumboot Festival. Climb inside the gumboot for a great view of Tully, its sugar mill and surrounding mountains.

The Tully Visitor and Heritage Centre has an interpretive display giving the history of the area. Here you can book tours of the Tully Sugar Mill during cane harvesting season for a fascinating insight to how the cane is crushed and made into sugar.

Indigenous rainforest people offer tours on land and local waterways providing unique insights to special places.

With so much rain spilling down from the mountains it is no wonder Tully is considered one of Australia’s best spots to go white-water rafting. The river plunges through Tully Gorge National Park, which has a camping area not far from the Kareeya hydro-power station. From the camping area, a short wheelchair-accessible walk takes you through rainforest known for its colourful butterflies which are best seen between September and February.

Fit hikers will enjoy the panoramic view of Tully and its surrounding farms from Mt Tyson which rises 687m behind the town. Access to the walking track is from Brannigan St in Tully, with the difficult walk taking up to three hours.

Part of the Misty Mountains wilderness walking tracks network is in Tully Gorge National Park. The Cochable Creek camping area on the bank of the creek is great for swimming and short walks and a base for mountain biking.

Tully Heads, Hull Heads & Googara Beach

Just south of Tully is the turn off for to Tully Heads and Hull Heads. These two beach side villages are located near Googara Beach and overlook the Family Group Islands. Fishing is the main attraction here with exceptional accommodation options, campgrounds and a tavern.

Mission Beach

Mission Beach is located between Townsville and Cairns is made up of four beach villages. South Mission Beach, Wongaling Beach, Mission Beach Village & Bingil Bay. These villages are linked by 14 kilometres of wide golden sands. Mission Beach blends vibrant art and culture with unique tourism attractions.

The four villages of Mission Beach offer a range of accommodation options from luxury resorts, holiday homes, rainforest retreats, B&Bs and camping options. If you’re looking for romantic getaways, family holidays, backpacker or caravanning holiday options, Mission Beach can cater for all! Mission Beach has an array of tours and attraction suitable for everyone! So, if you are after endless bushwalking tracks, island transfers, lazy days spent on the beach, white-water rafting or Skydiving, Mission Beach is the place to be!

Innisfail

Innisfail is built along the Johnstone River. Enjoy this waterside location of the Fitzgerald Esplanade where a coffee or a stroll should be on your to do list.

Innisfail is an ideal location to base a stay to explore the regions many attractions. It has an array of accommodation including motels, van parks, bed and breakfasts and backpacker hostels.

The town has a variety of national stores and many smaller specialty shops. Innisfail has a large and diverse range of Art Deco buildings, the CBD was largely rebuilt in this style following a cyclone in 1918 which destroyed much of the town. Today you can explore the buildings on “The Innisfail Town Walk” where you also will find The Chinese Joss House, one of only a few still in use in Queensland.

Warrina Lakes is a 50 hectare recreational park with kilometres of walkways through open parkland, lakes, wooded areas and rainforest trails. Within the park you can visit the Bushtucker Gardens, established by the Ma:Mu traditional owners, the Bill Markwell Botanical Gardens and Anzac Grove. Ducks and geese can be seen in the lake and there is a swimming pool, barbecues, picnic tables, a playground with boccé and volleyball equipment available, or fly a kite or kick the footy in the wide-open spaces.

Cross the southern bridge to follow the river down to the headland at Coquette Point, a marvellous high point to see the district, its two rivers and the coastline. Crossing the northern bridge on Flying Fish Point Road, track the north side of the river for a pretty drive to The Coconuts where the river meets the ocean, and on to Flying Fish Point where you can throw in a line from the beach. Stop here for a picnic or meal of fish and chips, or stay in the caravan park.

Innisfail’s hosts the “Feast of the Senses” annually. This is a fantastic way celebrate the region’s produce with a market day extravaganza featuring farmers’ markets, cooking demonstrations and a celebrity cook-off. Various activities are held either side of the main event and include farm tours, a poet’s breakfast and gala dinner featuring local produce.

Following north along the Bruce Highway out of Innisfail,is the turnoff to Josephine Falls, a favourite waterfall and swimming spot. This section of Wooroonooran National Park has a short, easy walk from the car park through lush rainforest to lookouts and a popular picnic area. A great place to swim and slide down rocks, but take note of the warnings.

Mourilyan Harbour & Etty Bay

The small town of Mourilyan, is just 10 minutes south of Innisfail. This once bustling town has an historic Queenslander pub, and art deco theatre which is now part of the Australian Sugar Industry Museum complex.

The Sugar Museum will show you how green stalks become refined white crystals for your tea. This is an ideal all-weather option (wet day or hot days) to discover history that is a major part of this region and its cultural diversity.

Historic tractors, locomotives, harvesters and a working model of a 500 horse power driven crushing engine are on display along with a collection of contemporary and historical photographs and artefacts related to Australia’s sugar industry. Recently an exhibit based around the historic cane barracks, which are still seen around the region, was opened.

Just off the Bruce Highway is Mourilyan Harbour. A harbour with facilities for bulk sugar loading, molasses, live cattle and wood chipping. Mourilyan Harbour has an excellent boat launching facilities, with a Coast Guard station.

A short drive from Mourilyan Harbour is the beautiful Etty Bay. Etty Bay is an ideal place for picnic, eat or to stay. The beach offers safe swimming with a stinger net and surf lifesaver patrols on the weekends. It is an unspoilt holiday spot with a caravan park and general store.

The Canecutter Way

In the Cassowary Coast Hinterland, this is a place where visitors can meet the locals. Where you can delve into one of the most historically significant areas in Australia at your own pace, where you can visit the world famous Paronella Park, see the rich farming belt, visit The Murdering Point Winery, have a picnic by a rainforest creek, stroll on the beach, enjoy a hearty meal at one of the many exceptional places to dine and simply breathe in the sheer beauty of the surrounding mountain range.

People from all over the world have been enjoying the Canecutter Way scenic drive for many years and it is easy to see why. We look forward to welcoming you to one of the most relaxing, stimulating and beautiful parts of Australia. Come for a day or stay for a week, the choice is yours but there is little doubt that the Canecutter Way really is another time and another place.

For more information on this scenic adventure, visit the link below!

http://www.canecutterway.com.au/

Palmerston Highway

Just North of Innisfail is the turnoff to the Palmerston Highway. Take this scenic drive to The Atherton Tablelands. This beautiful two-hour drive takes you through wonderful terrain to the top of the dividing range and the rich, fertile soils and different landscapes of the Atheron Tablelands, passing through towns such as Millaa Millaa, Ravenshoe, Malanda and Atherton.

The picturesque mountain highway has spectacular lookouts and walking tracks along the way through the Palmerston (Doongan) section of the Park.

A little further on is Crawfords Lookout which also has views over the Gorge and is a start point for a difficult walk into the Gorge. Gooligans picnic area and Henrietta Creek camping area are bases to walk a number of waterfall tracks, rated easy or moderate. Walk to a choice of three falls, the highlight being Nandroya Falls. There are many swimming holes in this beautiful stretch of rainforest. From Henrietta Creek, the 130km network of Misty Mountains walking tracks are accessible.

Take your time to explore this wonderful region. You won’t be disappointed!