Townsville to Mission Beach drive: Distance, time and road trip stops

The Townsville to Mission Beach drive is 235km in distance, with a driving time by car of around 2h49m. Good road trip stops to add to an itinerary include Crystal Creek, the Cardwell Spa Pools and the Golden Gumboot.

The drive from Townsville to Mission Beach takes you just over halfway on the Townsville to Cairns drive.

Townsville is where you can take the ferry to gorgeous Magnetic Island, enjoy sunset cruises and visit the Museum of Underwater Art. For more Townsville experiences, explore here. To ferret out the best Townsville accommodation deals, look here.

But if you’ve got time, Mission Beach is worth stopping at. It’s collection of four laid-back beach towns flanked by rainforest, and there’s a good array of activities, including bushwalking and whitewater rafting. The ferry to Dunk Island also departs from here.

5 great Mission Beach experiences to book in advance

Small group Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with pristine snorkelling on the Outer Reef, barbecue lunch and snorkelling equipment provided.
Hull River National Park eco cruise – spotting wildlife in the mangroves.
Full day sports rafting on the Tully River – tackle the rapids while rafting through the rainforest.
Skydive from 15,000ft – and land on the beach.
Dunk Island day trip – with plenty of time for rainforest hikes.

Townsville to Mission Beach distance and driving time

But how far is Mission Beach from Townsville? Well, the Townsville to Mission Beach drive is 235km in distance. By car, this makes for a driving time of around two hours and 49 minutes.

If you’re turning the Townsville to Mission Beach drive into a road trip, stop at the Paluma Range National Park. This national park hosts several waterfalls, but in the rock pools of Crystal Creek is the highlight.

Swimming at Big Crystal Creek in the Paluma Range National Park near Townsville, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Carry on up the Bruce Highway, and you’ll reach Ingham. Branch off here for Girringun National Park and Australia’s highest waterfall, Wallaman Falls. Ingham accommodation options include the Ingham Tourist Park and the Tropixx Motel, which has its own restaurant.

Townsville to Mission Beach road trip stops: Cardwell and Hinchinbrook Island

After Ingham you’ll hit Cardwell. This small town is where you catch a boat transfer to Hinchinbrook Island. Don’t expect resort facilities here – this is Australia’s largest island national park, and it is deliberately kept in its natural state.

That makes Hinchinbrook Island more appealing to walkers than sunbathers. The 32km Thornsborne Trail, usually tackled over four days, is one of Australia’s top walks.

Townsville to Mission Beach drive attractions: Swimming holes

If that doesn’t appeal, you can simply go for a dip in the Cardwell Spa Pools. This rainforest swimming hole is an eerie shade of blue due to the minerals in the water.

Best Cardwell accommodation choices

The best places to stay in Cardwell are:

For a holiday park with an outdoor pool and children’s playground: Cardwell Beachcomber Motel and Tourist Park.
For prime location: Cardwell Beachfront Motel.
If those two are fully booked: Kookaburra Holiday Park.

The Cardwell Spa Pools in Cardwell, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

The turn-off for Mission Beach is at Tully, home of the Golden Gumboot. This giant statue of a golden welly is one of Australia’s notorious Big Things. Turn west at Tully, past the Mount Mackay National Park, and you’ll arrive in Mission Beach.

Why Mission Beach is the best place to skydive in Australia

Mission Beach is the best place to skydive in Australia because:

You can jump from 15,000ft – which means extra freefall time.
On the way down, you see the rainforest on one side, and the Great Barrier Reef on the other.
The Mission Beach skydive lands on one of the most incredible beaches in the country.

Find out more (and book if you want to)

Things to do in Mission Beach include mountain biking in the Djiru National Park, skydiving onto the beach and taking a boat over to Dunk Island. You can also book Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tours.

Mission Beach accommodation options include the gardens-surrounded Mission Beach Resort, the seafront Castaways Resort and Spa and the pool-toting Mission Reef Resort.

6 Townsville experiences to book in advance

Magnetic Island ferry tickets – head over to one of the most beautiful islands in Australia.
SS Yongala wreck dive – sea how coral and marine life have made the shipwreck home.
Great Barrier Reef and Museum of Underwater Art cruise – witness the extraordinary underwater art project up close.
Helicopter ride along the coast – get amazing views from above.
Sunset sailing cruise – watch the colours over the water, with alcoholic drinks included.
Jetski tour to Cape Pallarenda – whizz past beaches and giant boulders.