Choosing among Mission Beach hotels and motels starts with the shape of the place. Mission Beach is a long, narrow strip of coast, and where you sleep decides what is on your doorstep.
This page explains the layout, the types of stay we list, a nearby holiday park, transfers from Cairns and the climate month by month. For help with an enquiry, call 1800 815 378 and the team will help.
Where Mission Beach sits
Mission Beach is a coastal town and locality in the Cassowary Coast Region of Queensland, bounded on the east by the Coral Sea. At the 2021 census it had 1,014 people, so this is a small place, not a resort city. Our Mission Beach destination guide gives the wider picture.
The sandy beach is 13 kilometres long. It runs from Clump Point at the northern end south to Tam O'Shanter Point in South Mission Beach. The area is a strip of four villages, with rainforest meeting the Great Barrier Reef, Dunk Island offshore, and the largest population of wild southern cassowaries in Australia.
Why the layout matters for choosing a bed
Because the settlement is spread along the beach rather than clustered in one centre, the stretch you stay on shapes your days. Names in the area include Bingil Bay, Narragon Beach, Garners Beach and Wongaling Beach, with South Mission Beach at the southern end. Check which part of the strip a property sits on before you book.
Types of stay we list
Our accommodation pages are organised by type. Start with the main Mission Beach accommodation page, then narrow it down:
- Mission Beach apartments for self-contained stays.
- Mission Beach resorts, which include Castaways Resort & Spa.
- Mission Beach luxury accommodation if you want to spend more.
We reckon resorts are the safer bet if you want facilities on site.
A holiday park nearby
If a motel room is not essential, BIG4 Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park is in Kurrimine Beach in the Cassowary Coast Regional area. Accommodation there includes powered sites and cabins. Contact the park for current rates and availability before booking. Details are on its BIG4 Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park page.
Getting there from Cairns
Two private transfers run for up to six passengers and take 2 hours 15 minutes. Both are from AUD 470.
| Transfer | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cairns to Mission Beach one way | 2h 15m | from AUD 470 |
| Mission Beach to Cairns one way | 2h 15m | from AUD 470 |
Split across a full group of six, that suits a family or friends travelling together. Check current prices with the operator.
Weather and when to book
Mission Beach is warm all year. The 1991-2020 averages show a wet summer and a drier winter and spring.
| Month | Max C | Min C | Rain mm | Rain days | Sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29.3 | 25.8 | 265.6 | 21.6 | 28.0 |
| February | 28.9 | 25.9 | 352.3 | 21.8 | 24.4 |
| March | 28.0 | 25.2 | 261.6 | 20.9 | 26.7 |
| April | 26.8 | 23.9 | 146.8 | 18.6 | 27.6 |
| May | 25.1 | 22.1 | 86.0 | 14.8 | 28.3 |
| June | 23.6 | 20.2 | 49.7 | 10.9 | 26.8 |
| July | 23.2 | 19.3 | 44.9 | 9.2 | 28.4 |
| August | 24.0 | 19.7 | 37.2 | 7.6 | 29.4 |
| September | 25.9 | 21.2 | 27.9 | 5.4 | 29.6 |
| October | 27.4 | 22.7 | 42.9 | 7.5 | 30.3 |
| November | 28.6 | 24.1 | 79.2 | 10.5 | 29.1 |
| December | 29.5 | 25.3 | 138.5 | 15.5 | 29.1 |
February is the wettest month at about 352 mm over 22 rain days. September is the driest at about 28 mm, and October has the most sunny days at 30.
Cyclones and the rebuilt coast
Weather has shaped the coast. Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi crossed near Mission Beach on 3 February 2011, with a storm surge estimated at 7 m. Most of the beach lost its sand and every structure in town was damaged to some degree, though no fatalities or injuries were reported. Cyclone Larry crossed the coast between Mission Beach and Innisfail on 20 March 2006. Once you have chosen a base, see the Mission Beach activities and dining pages.
For wider trip planning, see the official Tourism and Events Queensland site, and for the town's history read the Wikipedia entry for Mission Beach.
Frequently asked questions
Who can help with an accommodation enquiry?
Call 1800 815 378 and the team will help, or browse our accommodation pages for apartments and resorts.
How long is the transfer from Cairns?
The private transfer takes 2 hours 15 minutes each way, from AUD 470 for up to six passengers.
When is the driest time to visit?
September averages the least rain at about 28 mm, and October has the most sunny days.
