QLD
Cairns to Mission Beach
140km
1 hr 50 min
Scenic drive through Innisfail and banana country. Stop at Etty Bay for cassowary sightings on the way.
Bruce Highway south
Turn-off: El Arish–Mission Beach Rd
Contact us
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We're a small, family-run team — call us for the personal touch.
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hear from you
Address
58-60 Porter Promenade
Mission Beach QLD 4852
Australia
Reception hours
Daily 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
For after-hours arrivals, please contact us in advance and we'll make sure you're sorted.
Send an enquiry
We'll get back to you within one business day. For urgent enquiries, please call.
Distances & Driving Directions
How far is
Mission Beach?
Mission Beach sits on the Cassowary Coast in Far North Queensland — easy to reach from Cairns, Townsville and all points along the Bruce Highway.
QLD
Townsville to Mission Beach
240km
3 hrs
Great halfway stop between Townsville and Cairns. Pass through Cardwell and Ingham — both worth a short break.
Bruce Highway north
Turn-off: El Arish–Mission Beach Rd
QLD
Airlie Beach to Mission Beach
480km
~5 hrs
Perfect overnight stop on the classic coastal drive north to Cairns. Breaks the journey into two easy legs.
Bruce Highway north
Turn-off: El Arish–Mission Beach Rd
QLD
Brisbane to Mission Beach
1,560km
~17 hrs
The iconic Queensland road trip. Most travellers split it over 2–3 days — Townsville and Mission Beach make perfect overnight stops.
Bruce Highway north
Turn-off: El Arish–Mission Beach Rd
Quick reference — all driving times to Mission Beach
| Origin city | Distance | Drive time | Main highway | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CairnsQLD | 140 km | 1 hr 50 min | Bruce Highway south | Directions |
| TownsvilleQLD | 240 km | 3 hrs | Bruce Highway north | Directions |
| Airlie BeachQLD | 480 km | ~5 hrs | Bruce Highway north | Directions |
| BrisbaneQLD | 1,560 km | ~17 hrs | Bruce Highway north | Directions |
Frequently asked — getting here
How far is Cairns from Mission Beach?
Mission Beach is 140km south of Cairns — approximately 1 hour 50 minutes by car via the Bruce Highway heading south, turning off at El Arish onto the Mission Beach Road. Cairns Airport is the closest major airport for guests flying in.
How far is Townsville from Mission Beach?
Mission Beach is 240km north of Townsville — approximately 3 hours by car via the Bruce Highway heading north through Ingham and Cardwell, turning off at El Arish. Greyhound coaches also stop directly at Mission Beach if you're not driving. Mission Beach makes an ideal halfway stop on the coastal route between Townsville and Cairns.
How do you get from Airlie Beach to Mission Beach?
Airlie Beach to Mission Beach is approximately 480km, around a 5-hour drive north via the Bruce Highway through Bowen, Ayr, Ingham and Cardwell, then turning at El Arish. It is a popular overnight stop for travellers doing the coastal road trip north to Cairns.
What is the best way to get to Mission Beach from Cairns Airport?
From Cairns Airport, drive south on the Bruce Highway (A1) for approximately 140km, then turn right onto the El Arish–Mission Beach Road. Follow signs to Mission Beach village — Mission Beach Hideaway is on Porter Promenade, the main street. The drive takes about 1 hour 50 minutes. Greyhound coaches also stop directly at Mission Beach, and airport transfer operators can be recommended at time of booking.
Is there public transport to Mission Beach?
Yes — Greyhound Australia coaches stop directly at Mission Beach. Several local operators also offer airport transfer services — ask us at the time of booking for our recommended contacts.
Getting here
Finding us
is easy
From Cairns140km south
Drive time
~1 hr 50 min via Bruce Highway
Head south from Cairns on the Bruce Highway. Pass through Innisfail and continue to the Mission Beach turnoff at El Arish. Follow signs to Mission Beach village. Greyhound coaches stop directly at Mission Beach. Airport transfers can be arranged — ask us for recommended operators when you book.
From Townsville240km north
Drive time
~3 hrs via Bruce Highway
Head north from Townsville on the Bruce Highway, through Ingham and Cardwell. Turn off at El Arish and follow signs to Mission Beach village. Greyhound coaches also stop directly at Mission Beach — a great option if you're not driving. Airport transfers can be arranged — ask us for recommended operators when you book.
From Airlie Beach~5 hrs north
Drive time
~5 hrs via Bruce Highway
Head north from Airlie Beach on the Bruce Highway through Bowen, Ayr, Ingham, and Cardwell. Mission Beach makes a perfect overnight stop on the road trip north — break up the drive, spend a night or two, and keep going to Cairns refreshed. We're on the main street of the village.
58-60 Porter Promenade, Mission Beach
We're right on the main street of the village — you can't miss us
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