The Top-10 Best Safe Swimming and Splashing Spots near Mission Beach
The tropical climate is not something that many visiting people have experienced before. Far-North Queensland is indeed a beautiful area to visit or live in, and with the words ‘delightfully warm’ coming to mind when describing the weather for much of the year, the region absolutely personifies the “Beautiful One Day, Perfect the Next” mantra spruiked by Queensland Tourism.
But ‘unique’, ‘extreme’ and even ‘suffocating’ are also apt descriptors at times, and often a refreshing swim is just what the doctor ordered.
Woah - not so fast!
Your well-deserved cool-off is not simply as straightforward jumping into the tranquil, azure Coral Sea, what with stinging jellyfish and saltwater crocodiles to contend with.
Hot Tip: You can easily remember when stinger season is by the months whose names contain an ‘r’ in their name. That’s right, you should avoid entering the ocean from September through to April! (Specially designed ‘stinger suits’ can and should be used during this period.)
However, don’t despair! We’re here to make sure you have the very best experience in the region, so here’s our list of The Top-10 Best Safe Swimming and Splashing Spots near Mission Beach.
‘TreeTops by the Sea’ Swimming Pool
Of course, we must first hype up the most beautiful and private swimming spot in Mission Beach, being TreeTops by the Sea’s very own 48,000-litre, 8-metre long, 2.5-metre deep saltwater swimming pool! Not only is this amazing pool situated in a stunning setting, surrounded by lush tropical gardens, towering rainforest trees, and the TreeTops ‘treehouse’ itself, but it’s the ultimate couple, family or group hang-out. A large and semi-covered timber pool deck means you can both relax in the swing chair, day bench, hammock or easy chairs in the shade while easily keeping an eye on the kids as they play with the supplied pool toys. When you feel the need, you can hop straight in and out yourself. During the day - but especially at night - you can also control the colours and mood of the underwater neon light strip with your phone via a simple app. Twinkling fairy lights in the garden trees further enhance the mood. It doesn’t get any better than this!
‘TreeTops by the Sea’ Private Outdoor Bathtub and Shower
If the swimming pool sounds too good to be true, how about the large outdoor clawfoot bathtub and deluge shower - including hot water!? Unbelievable! So private that clothing is optional, you only need to worry about forgetting to shut the curtains in the rumpus room. Relax with some soapy bubbles, a good book, and a glass of your favourite beverage - or, if the mood strikes, your significant other! Yep, the bath is large enough for two, and even the showerhead is large enough to easily keep you both under the gentle stream of fresh warm or cool water. Kids love it too, and there’s nothing better after a beach session, a long walk or a hot, humid evening to cool off under the shower. So refreshing and so special!
Natural Beaches and the Coral Sea
Of course, the Cassowary Coast is awash with idyllic tropical beaches! Click through to our more detailed post about the best Mission Beach beaches, but (spoiler alert!) here’s the heads-up list anyway:
Bingil Bay
Narragon (Jetty) Beach
North Mission (Main) Beach
Lugger Bay
The Dunk Island Spit
Stinger Nets (located at North and South Mission Beaches)
During ‘stinger season’ (see above), Surf Life Saving Queensland (Mission Beach) deploy oceanic stringer nets at both North and South Mission Beaches. These large protective enclosures are patrolled daily (limited days and hours - refer to the website for the latest updates) but are only designed to protect against box jellyfish. Importantly, please note:
“While the stinger nets are effective at keeping away box jellyfish and sharks, there is no guarantee they will keep out Irukandji jellyfish, or even crocodiles.” (Travel NQ)
For this reason, we recommend that children avoid swimming in the ocean during stinger season, including within stinger nets. If swimming, wearing a full stinger suit is recommended. Stinger suits are available for hire from Mission Beach Water Taxi and Bike Hire, 71 Banfield Parade, Wongaling Beach, or purchase at the LiveLife Pharmacy (at the Mission Beach Marketplace/Woolworths Centre in Wongaling Beach).
There is lots more information about stinger nets on the TravelNQ and Queensland Beaches websites, and we urge you to refer to these sites before swimming in the nets.
There are also stinger nets at Etty Bay near Innisfail and Kurrimine Beach.
And remember – if the red flag is up, then the beach is closed!
Alligator’s Nest Swimming Hole
Before you panic, no, there are no alligators (or crocodiles) at Alligator’s Nest Swimming Hole! This hidden gem is the ‘secret local spot’ and is fantastic for a natural, freshwater dip in a mountain stream. Alligators Nest is near Tully township, about a 25-minute drive from Mission Beach or Bingil Bay.
This picturesque swimming hole is completely safe from crocodiles (it’s miles and miles upstream from the ocean), and the swimming is suitable for all ages and all abilities. There are a couple of stairways down to the edge of the water that provides access to two converging streams that you can rock-hop and wade up (perfect for adventurous kids!), a calm 1 to 2-metre deep pool, and plenty of shallow rocky and sandy areas to sit in the cooling stream.
There is plenty of parking, a huge grassy picnic area with shading, public BBQs and compost toilets, and covered picnic tables. 2WD access (you might have to ford a very shallow stream just before the car park). Seach ‘Alligators Nest Swimming Hole’ and follow your nav - the signposting isn’t the best. [Tip: Don’t forget insect spray in case there are a few March flies or mozzies about.]
6. Lacey Creek Rainforest Walk
Whilst not strictly a ‘swimming spot’ for anyone over five years old (the water in the creek is extremely shallow), Lacey Creek provides a lovely rainforest walk, a chance to spot a cassowary, and a quiet, calm place to soak your tired feet in the cool, clear-running water. And it’s very close to Mission Beach/Bingil Bay, being just out of town on the Mission Beach-El Arish Road in the Djiru National Park. [Tip: Don’t forget insect spray in case there are a few March flies or mozzies about.]
Oh, and please don’t feed the cassowaries!
7. Mission Beach Public Swimming Pool and Aquatic Center
Conveniently located at Marcs Park at the intersection of the Mission Beach-to-El Arish and Mission Beach-to-Tully roads the, Mission Beach Pool was opened in 2018 and features a 6-lane 25-metre outdoor pool, lagoon, children’s water park, and an indoor hydrotherapy pool. The facility is open from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm Mon-Fri and 10 am to 4 pm Sat-Sun. There is a small per-person entry fee (be prepared - cash only) and BYO shade.
There are also public swimming pools operated by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council at Innisfail, Tully, and Cardwell.
8. Wongaling Beach Rotary Splash Park (“Splash ‘n Dunk”, Reid Road Wongaling Beach)
Also opened in 2018, this wonderful family-friendly water splash pad is perfect for smaller children. Operating from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, the automatic water park gives all a welcome break from the heat and the sea.
Designed and created by the Mission Beach Rotary Club, with local business support and expertise, “Splash n Dunk” is located on the beachfront at Wongaling Beach (near Dunk Island View Caravan and opposite Nana Thai restaurant) and is accessible to all.
The complex is a pet-free area. The facility automatically shuts down when it’s raining to ensure water quality is maintained for public health and automatically resets after 15 minutes without rain.
9. Murray Falls
The Murray Falls Swimming and Camping Area is for the adventurous traveller or older family. Quite wild, this natural waterway spills out of the Great Dividing mountain range between Tully and Cardwell, about a 50-minute drive from Mission Beach/Bingil Bay.
Murray Falls is one of the prettiest waterfalls in north Queensland, with spectacular water-sculpted rocks and crystal clear pools. The falls can be viewed from the boardwalk and viewing platform, and the day-use area is a great location for a picnic. For the more adventurous, a walking track through the rainforest will take you to a lookout, with views of the falls and the Murray Valley.
However, for the super-adventurous, take a dip in the crystal clear pools or slide down the huge boulders into the rapids below - but be prepared to wear through the seat of your bathers…or take a boogie board! A rope swing from an overhanging branch provides further thrills.
There are no crocodiles at Murray Falls.
Our advice: go on a sunny day (the water is quite cool), take a picnic, and do what the local kids do. Please be careful - the rocks can be slippery and the water deep and wild. Extreme danger! Stay within signed railings at lookout areas and only swim in the designated zones – drownings have occurred.
10. Babinda Boulders
Like Murray Falls, the Babinda Boulders is a beautiful, natural, fresh-water swimming paradise for adults and older kids. The Boulders is a popular cool swimming and picnic area in the tropical rainforest in the foothills of Bartle Frere (Chooreechillum) at 1622m, Queensland’s highest mountain. There is a sealed road to the car park about 6 km from Babinda township, about 1 hour north of Mission Beach/Bingil Bay along the Bruce Highway.
The Boulders area is named for a series of huge outcrops of granite boulders found along Babinda Creek amongst volumes of sparkling, cascading, cool, clear mountain water.
With an exceedingly high average annual rainfall of over 4 metres, the surge of water in the creek as it thunders through the Boulders adds to the region’s wild beauty. The creek is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest with many trees, ferns, vines, fungi, moss and lichen.
The main public area is lovely and contains covered picnic areas, gas barbecues, children’s play equipment, toilets and cold showers/changing rooms, as well as plenty of open grassed areas. A sealed, well-maintained walking track leads downstream to the main Boulders viewing area, and there are a couple of easy to moderate-grade walking paths through the rainforest.
Some areas within the Boulders are restricted swimming zones. Extreme danger! Stay within signed railings at lookout areas and only swim in the designated zones – drownings have occurred.
There are no crocodiles at Murray Falls.
11. [Sneaky BONUS!] Kurramine Beach Holiday Water Park
Just a 28-minute drive from TreeTops, this is a wonderful oasis of fun, relaxation, and friendliness for families. And yes, they are open to the public. There’s also a cafe and bar there, plus shaded sitting/observation areas, for those less inclined to get wet! Give them a call or check out their website for details…
We hope this list has helped you discover the Top-10 Best Safe Swimming and Splashing Spots near Mission Beach!