Cyclone Yasi in 2011 was one hell of a hit to this part of Queensland. One of the strongest cyclones recorded, it crossed the coast right here at Mission Beach and the eye of the cyclone continued through to Tully. This is the reason for so many of the buildings in Tully being fairly newly built. As is the case in Mission Beach. This is a beautiful piece of coast, with houses built right on the beach front. No wonder they all look so new. They are mostly post-Yasi built. It made me wonder what the insurance premiums are like up here.
The weather gods have frowned on us today, and my tan will continue to be a shining light in the Sun Sense campaign. John and the boys boarded the kayak and headed to Dunk Island, four kilometres off the coast. I took the water taxi from the next beach up the coast (Wangilong) – but they omitted to tell the passengers they had to wade through thigh deep water (for tall people) to reach the boat, but hey, I’ll dry out.
Dunk Island used to be a resort Island, but was pretty much ruined by Cyclone Yasi.
Dunk Island Resort. Holiday anyone?
A mining magnate millionaire, Peter Bond, bought the private property part of the island (the rest is National Park) and has refurbished a few units for his family and friends. I hear they have big parties here. They also maintain the airstrip and allow the public to use the walking tracks outside the private property. So we wandered along the beach on a grim day that threatened rain, only delivering a light shower.
The jetty at Dunk Island looking back to Mission Beach on the mainland
The boys had a great time building stone cairns. I have to put both their photos up – or suffer the consequences.
Fergus counted 20 stones in his best. This one was an early attempt.
Harry’s cairn – a slender structure.
We indulged in a reef and beef burger stack for lunch at the café that operates out of a container on the spit here. Big feed.
The demise of Dunk Island as a functioning resort has a huge effect on Mission Beach. This is the peak of the tourist season in this region – but you’d never know it. There’s a lot of For Sale signs around here.