South Mission Beach Qld. July 23 2015

South Mission Beach Qld. July 23 2015

The local word was that the Townsville to Cairns bike ride had started this morning from Townsville and, if we were clever, we’d be out and on the road before it hit Rollingstone at about 930. So, with this in mind and knowing how busy the one lane of the Bruce can be, we left at 915, but within minutes came across the first pack. As it turned out, they weren't any trouble to get around and we were on our way. We were surprised to find another group already at the Frosty Mango, which is at least 60km from Townsville. Obviously the local ‘gen’ was a bit out. We sailed past them heading toward Ingham, but soon settled into a steady eighty-seven and one half kph behind a caravan and string of cars. I kept expecting the peloton to catch us!

Finally we made a break for it on the other side of town, only to get snookered again behind more vans dawdling along. Just why they can’t travel at the speed limit on these busy single-lane roads is a mystery. Finally after who-knows-how-many-kays we came to the only overtaking lane between Ingham and Tully. One van pulled over doing his 75, the other went around and then got over. But rather than just let me past, they decided to race me to the merge-into-one-lane. I feel a bit foolish about this, but my blood was up and I held our nose in front of them until they finally backed off, and disappearing into the distant background.   

It started to rain, or maybe it was just the clouds we were driving through. This is rainforest county where the mountains come right down to the sea. Finally, at last, and not a minute too soon we turned off the Bruce and made our way to South Mission Beach. I wont talk about the microscopic site we have and the effort required to manoeuvre the van into it, complicated by the people who kept coming up to the clothes lines where the front of the car was dodging the posts and flapping knickers. Oh well, at least the sun had come out and judging by the mud and sodden grass, it’s probably just as well. 

After lunch we drove up along the beaches to Mission beach proper, to have a look at the place as it’s been 10 years or so since we were here last. Mission beach the town is a lot busier and has quiet a few more cafes and bars than we recall. 

Judy checking out the shops at Mission Beach Qld

Dunk Island from Mission Bech, Qld

Beach Stone Curlew, Mission Beach Qld

We returned to the van after going to the big shopping centre at Wongaling Beach, that definitely wasn't there last time. We finished the day with a nap and a coffee at the cafe next door. 

Cute little girl came to visit - a Yellow-bellied sunbird. South Mission Beach Qld