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There is a variety of activities to please everyone in and around Kurrimine Beach from
reef activities
, fishing, birdwatching, award winning attractions, skydiving, white water rafting, several festivals, great picnic spots and rainforest walks and access to the Atherton Tablelands.
KURRIMINE BEACH LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
KING REEF
King
Reef is the closest spot where the Great Barrier Reef comes to the
Queensland Coast. This and other close by reefs make Kurrimine Beach a
great fishing spot, not to mention the famous painted crays that can be
picked up from the reef itself. Kurrimine Beach has a stinger net, a
tidal boat ramp out from the beach and an all tides concrete boat ramp
in Maria Creek, which is only a 10 minute boat trip from the ocean.
KURRIMINE BEACH
Kurrimine
Beach
is a lovely palm fringed quiet and safe beach with great views to
Dunk Island and the South Barnards islands. The walk from the boat
ramp to the
mouth of Maria Creek will take about one hour. Fishing is great either
from the beach or on the reef itself and a tinnie or kayak could be
launched from the beach or one of the close by boat ramps.
KURRIMINE BEACH CONSERVATION PARK
This
small park is one of the remaining patches of endangered mesophyll vine
forests left in the region and it has an easy meandering 600m walking
track through it. The main characteristic of a Mesophyll vine forest
is that trees and plants grow on low nutrient beach sands of the
coastal wet lowlands and rely for growth on nutrients from the break
down of leaf litter on the forest floor.
MURDERING POINT WINERY
This award winning winery has delicious wines and ports, made from locally sourced native and exotic fruits.
HORSE RIDING ON KURRIMINE BEACH
1.5 hour and 3 hour riding tours are available on the secluded part of Kurrimine Beach.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
Kurrimine Beach is at the gateway to the Atherton Tablelands
PARONELLA PARK
Recently
voted the No. 1 thing to do in Queensland Paronella Park is a must
see! Take a tour around the grounds, do the night tour, have a snack
or meal and marvel at the hydro-electric plant, which is now
operational again.
CANECUTTER WAY
Spend
a day or more exploring the quirky Canecutter Way, which includes the
smallest National Bank in Australia in Silkwood, several historic pubs,
Paronella Park, Mena Creek Eco Gardens. Check out the great scenery, a
lovely water hole and picnic grounds and meet some of the local
characters.
MAMU RAINFOREST CANOPY WALK
Situated
near the end of the Canecutter Way is the new Mamu Rainforest Canopy
Walk. Walk amongst the canopy of World Heritage rainforest with
fabulous views of the Johnstone River, if you have the time to look in
between spotting birds and rainforest insects.
INNISFAIL
Do
the town walk and admire the fabulous Art Deco buildings in Innisfail.
Town rebuilding works were undertaken during the Great Depression years
to restore Innisfail after much of the town was destroyed by a "super"
cyclone in 1918 Many of these beautiful buildings have recently been
restored to their original glory.
JOHNSTONE RIVER CROCODILE FARM
You will be made to feel welcome at this very interesting Crocodile Farm where the staff take the time to answer your questions.
MISSION BEACH
A
short drive brings you to Mission Beach where you can see the Big
Cassowary, stroll along lovely Mission Beach and enjoy fine dining.
DUNK ISLAND
Take
a short boat ride from Mission Beach to Dunk Island, arguably one of
Queensland most beautiful island resorts where you can day trip and
birdwatch, spot Ulysses butterflies, snorkel, and enjoy the varied
scenery on one of the many walks which cover the island.
TULLY
Look for the huge Golden Gumboot signifying that Tully is the wettest town in Australia.
SUGAR MUSEUM
Visit
the Sugar Museum at Mourilyan. You can also go to Mourilyan Harbour to
see the sugar loading terminal and the natural secluded Mourilyan
Harbour.
TOURS
JUMP THE BEACH MISSION BEACH TANDEM SKYDIVE TANDEM SKYDIVE
Want to experience the adrenaline charged rush of a tandem skydive whilst
jumping over some of the most incredible scenery this country has to
offer? At Jump the Beach Mission Beach you jump over the Great Barrier
Reef and tropical islands, with a soft landing on Mission Beach; 14
kilometres of beautiful, soft white sandy beach to be exact. A tandem
skydive is the best and easiest way how to experience all the thrills of
skydiving. Jump from 9,000 foot, 11,000 foot or 14,000 foot. Enjoy the
awesome sensation of freefalling. No experience is necessary. Its fun and
it's easy.
WHITE WATER RAFTING
Two
companies offer white water rafting trips in remote World Heritage
rainforest down the mighty Tully River, which boasts the best section
of commercial white-water in Australia. The action packed experiences
filled with fun, thrills and spills make for a day you will never
forget.
TROPICAL ISLAND PICNICS AND CAMPING
Take
a half day or full day charter to one of the islands in the Family
Islands group or even camp out at one of these islands. Tours are
arranged to suit you.
REEF TRIPS
Local tour operators offer a choice of cruises to a number of unspoilt reefs, departing from Mission Beach. These include Beaver Reef,
a great snorkelling spot - a fringing reef surrounding a sandy cay and
offers a range of dive sites with plenty of diverse corals, turtles,
and a large range of fish from cod to barracuda and even manta rays in
winter. Eddy Reef has a large and vibrant coral and marine life. The Lady Bowen Wreck site,
an erstwhile converted steamer and now an artificial reef, likewise has
heaps of corals and a awesome variety of marine life.
RIVER RAT ECO CRUISES
The
River Rat is a purpose built vessel that allows you to safely watch the
wild crocodiles as you explore the unique ecosystem of the Hull River
Estuary. It is a fantastic 3 hour afternoon/night tour.
TULLY SUGAR MILL TOUR
Enjoy a fascinating day or twilight tour of Tully Sugar Mill during crushing season.
NATIONAL PARKS, PICNIC AREAS AND WALKS
North - Wooroonooran National Park (part of the Misty Mountains)
JOSEPHINE FALLS AND THE GOLDEN HOLE
A short walk to a beautiful setting at the base of Mount Bartle Frere, Queensland's tallest mountain.
MOUNT BARTLE FRERE
A walking track for fit and experienced bush walkers only. Be rewarded with a fantastic view at the summit.
BABINDA BOULDERS
Picturesque picnic and swimming spot situated in the shadow of the Bellenden Ker Range and accessed by a sealed road.
EUBENANGEE SWAMP
Wetlands home to many resident and migratory bird species.
ETTY BAY
This is a very pretty small secluded beach virtually in the rainforest. There are often cassowaries around the area.
West - Atherton Tablelands
MALANDA FALLS CONSERVATION PARK
Easy
walking track with pleasant scenery and the chance to see a platypus in
the wild. There are several other beautiful waterfalls on the way to
Malanda Falls with walking tracks of varying degrees of difficulty.
CURTAIN FIG NATIONAL PARK
View this magnificent curtain of aerial roots sent out by this magnificent strangler fig. OR visit the Cathedral Fig Tree in the Danbulla State Forest. Both trees have easy access and boardwalks around their bases.
South West - Tully area
ALLIGATORS NEST
This is a sandy-floored swimming hole situated in an open grassy area surrounded by forest.
MURRAY FALLS
Easy
access through open forest and rainforest for a view of the falls as
clear waters cascade over water-sculpted boulders into mountain rock
pools which are overarched by water gums.
TULLY FALLS NATIONAL PARK
This
large grassy open area is accessible by sealed road. A short
wheelchair- accessible walk takes visitors through rainforest noted for
its butterflies. Interpretive signs describe some of the many species
you may encounter. In the early afternoon watch the white water
rafters come down the river from Flip Wilson lookout and Cardstone Weir.
MOUNT TYSON
The walking track to Scouts Rock and Summit takes 2 - 3 hours return and is rated as strenuous.
MISTY MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS WALKS
For
experienced and fit walkers only. There are several trails, some of
which take several days to traverse. Drive from Mena Creek into the
Misty Mountains and enjoy spectacular views and rainforest scenery.
South - Mission Beach area
CLUMP MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
This
national park preserves one of the few remaining patches of undisturbed
lowland tropical rainforest. It is home to southern cassowaries and
several endangered and ancient plant and tree species. Also making
their home here are bandicoots, possums, melomys and paradise
kingfishers. The track which climbs to the summit of Bicton Hill, in
the centre of the park, has a fairly easy grade, is 4 km in length and
there are several resting seats along the track which afford
spectacular views of the mainland and islands.
LICUALA STATE FOREST
There
are several enjoyable walking tracks including a children's walk and an
easy wheelchair-accessible walk through the forest and a one way 6 km
walk which requires a medium level of fitness. There is a picnic
table, interpretive signage and a very good chance of sighting
cassowaries.
ULYSSES LINK WALK
This walk
meanders along Mission Beach's foreshore with interpretive artworks
created by local artists depicting Indigenous and European history in
the area.
KENNEDY WALKING TRACK
This
track follows the South Mission foreshore to the mouth of the Hull
River and can be negotiated by anyone in reasonable health and
commemorates the ill fated 1848 expedition by the first Europeans known
to have explored the area.
South - Cardwell/Ingham area - GIRRINGUN NATIONAL PARK
WALLAMAN FALLS
At
268m, this is the largest, permanent, single-drop waterfall in
Australia. This area boasts picnic tables, toilets, water and a
barbeque. With 110km of walking opportunities, including short and
overnight walks, there is something for everyone.
BLENCOE FALLS
This
is one of the most stunning waterfalls in Australia with two easily
accessible lookouts to watch the falls as they race towards the Herbert
River. Relict hoop pines shrouded in mist create an eerie feeling.
There is a short walk nearby.
FESTIVALS
THROWING OF THE CROSS
This
event is on of the Greek Orthodox Church's calendar set for the 12th
day of Christmas, i.e. January 6th. Whoever retrieves the cross thrown
at Kurrimine Beach is guaranteed good luck for the coming year.
FEAST OF THE SENSES
This
event is held in the second half of March in and around Innisfail with
lots of goodies to tantalise the five senses of taste, sight, touch,
sound and smell with the treasures of the tropics.
FEAST OF THE THREE SAINTS
This
festival is held on the first Sunday in May at the Silkwood Catholic
Church and commemorates 3 sainted brothers put to death in the second
century AD by the Romans. No matter how bad the weather it has never
rained in over 50 years that this event has been celebrated while the
three saints are paraded through the streets at Silkwood
MISSION BEACH FILM FESTIVAL
Held 17 to 18th September 2010.
INFORMATION CENTRES
There are several information centres including Innisfail, Tully, Mission Beach and Malanda in the surrounding areas.
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