Cassowary Coast News

Welcome to the newest online initiative in Mission Beach. We now have our very own Cassowary Coast News, to access click onto www.cassowarycoastnews.com and browse the latest news on local issues, events and happenings. Catch some locals in action by viewing the online video clips.

Why blog

Why am I blogging.....I do wonder if anyone enjoys our on line diary about Mission Beach? We see it as a way of keeping Mission Beach in the minds of travellers and as a way of keeping people up to date with the real world of travellers to our beautiful beach.

Stingers Suck

Stingers actually sting not suck, but being stung sucks! So wear protection. We no longer ride bicycles without helmets and we dont drive in a car without a seatbelt. The time has come folks.... dont go swimming in the tropics without a stinger suit (also called a rashie, they are made of lycra which can look way cool and I hear Billabong & Roxie are bringing some chilled looking suits). So when you are in Mission Beach use protection (day and night!!!). And if you are thinking that sucks, remember we dont have great white sharks and they do way way more than sting (and I am not sure how you would protect against them, byo shark cage perhaps!)

Being sun smart

One thing you have to remember when living in or visiting Australia is that you must be sun smart. We have an english visitor to Mission Beach who went for a 1/2 hour run at 8.30am in the morning, she didn't think she would need sunscreen.......alas she did. I am happy to say that her next decision though was clever, she stayed out of the sun that day and the next, and then went to the Great Barrier Reef and had an absolutely fabulous trip with Calypso....and she didn't get sunburn again, good on her.

Leaving Mission Beach

Life is all about change, and a big one is when your friends or family move town, or state or even country for that matter. Last night was one of those occasions, we got together for a BBQ around the pool to say goodbye to great friends who are leaving Mission Beach for the Sunshine Coast. We really hope that they will come back into our lives in the near future, and wish them well for their future adventures.

Mission Beach Information Station

You may not know it but Mission Beach Information Station offers many administration services, as well as the internet, photo teller, tour desk, accommodation bookings and bus tickets. I have a lovely lady in today who has requested lots of her Cyclone Larry photos to be scanned, so she can email them to her son for his school project, isn't she a good Mum!

A happy ending

One of our current favourite community events in Mission Beach is the Trivia Night at the Mission Beach Resort, raising funds for the State School. Chicken Parmi are sad to say goodbye to two of its team members this week, we are happy to say that we sent them off in style with a victory, which came down to the last round. Trust me if you are at a loose end on a Wednesday night then come on down, we think its great fun!

Pink Guide

Have just seen our advert in this years PINK GUIDE. It looks great! The Mission Beach Information Station is an inclusive, friendly and helpful business.

Absolute North Chaters - Hinchinbrook Island/Zoe Bay Camping Transfers

Camp on beautiful Hinchinbrook Island. The Zoe Bay site is one of the most remote and spectacular. Boat transfers, full camping kit and national parks permits.

Skydive and weather

We are often asked what is the best time to go skydiving......there is no right or wrong time of the day. With the changeable weather in tropical regions such as Mission Beach it is possible for the rain to pour down one hour and then to have blue skies next! So if you are planning a skydive......go with the flow, make the booking, let the tandem masters decide what the weather doing & have fun. If you dont make the booking you have no hope of making it happen!!!!

Tully White Water Rafting

Tully White Water Rafting is going off! All this rain, the rainforest is singing and the Tully is flowing full on! Pick ups from Mission Beach can be arranged.

Staying inside on rainy days

I've always found that when it rains all I want to do is snuggle up on the couch with a good book or movie. It doesn't matter whether I'm living in Mission Beach or Melbourne, the rain still gives me the same excuse for being lazy. The best thing though in Mission Beach is that if you want to go outside you can because its certainly not cold rain.

Little fish

Should have seen the local kids of Mission Beach doing their first SCUBA dive in the Calypso pool last weekend. It was great fun, big wide eyes and lots of smiles!

Spotting a Cassowary

We have quite a few people come in to the Mission Beach Information Station asking if cassowaries do really exist because they haven't been able to spot any . The answer to this is yes, cassowaries do actually exist. I always seem to spot them on my way to and from school, at about 8 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. A great way to see a cassowary in it's natural environment is to go on one of the many rainforest walks Mission Beach has to offer.

Being Brave

When you have long hair getting it all cut off can be quite a traumatic experience, but we have a brave soul here at Mission Beach Information Station. The long pony tail that had been growing freely, only being cut once in 5 years, has now gone, and he looks fabulous. Yeah for being brave!!

Nature at its best

If your traveling from Cairns to Mission Beach then there are two great spots to stop along the way. Babinda Boulders and Josephine Falls. I had the pleasure of visiting both spots yesterday and it really was lovely, I only wish I had my swimmers so I could have swam in the cool water pools. There are signs directing you off the Bruce Highway to both locations, and there are picnic tables and toilets at both, so take the time to enjoy two of natures wonders.

Blowing Bubbles with Calypso

A group of local kids in Mission Beach had a fabulous time on Sunday, they took to the pool in complete SCUBA gear and got to blow some bubbles. Awesome, image being 8 years old and sitting on the bottom of the pool chilling with you mates, doing somersaults, doing hand stands & generally having fun! This is the start of their SCUBA career - go for it. SCUBA diving on the Great Barrier Reef is amazing. Thanks Calypso Dive!

Its all looking pretty lush

Its all looking pretty green and lush here in Mission Beach. After enjoying a couple of days of rain the plants and trees are looking gorgeous. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it really is amazing how fabulous the rainforest looks when its wet. If your looking for something to do on your holiday or even as a local with a couple of hours to spare, go for a walk on one of the many tracks in and around Mission Beach, you won't be disappointed, and you may even get to see a cassowary.

Holiday snaps

Isn't it amazing how many photos we manage to take when we are on holidays, especially if your in a beautiful part of Australia like Mission Beach. Its so easy at Mission Beach Information Station to download your photos to a CD or DVD or print out your photos is you want to send them home. Come and see us and we will help you!

Visitors to Mission Beach

Don't you just love it when you get visitors coming to stay. I have friends coming from Melbourne to visit me here in Mission Beach in a couple of weeks. I have started to think about the wonderful things they can do while they are here, a must is the white water rafting on the Tully River, perhaps a skydive or even a sea kayaking trip to Dunk Island. There are so many options I will have to see whether they want relaxing or busy busy holiday. Who cares which I'm just excited they are coming.