Long Excursion – Cassowary Coast, Sat 10 – Sat 24 August 2024

Long Excursion – Cassowary Coast – Cape Hillsborough

Details: Our excursion starts from Bali Hai, the “headquarters house” where four of us are staying, situated over the road from Wongaling Beach, Mission Beach, on Saturday afternoon 10th August. Others are camping or using cabins within walking distance while some are camping in the two privately owned bushland areas where we have been invited to carry out natural history surveys. One of these is the property of Gabz and Todd who addressed a recent QNC meeting and the other is a property recently acquired by the local natural history group, C4 (Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation) with whom we have developed a collaborative relationship. They have offered us the free use of their well-equipped lecture room and facilities as well as an opportunity to join in their activities during our stay. 

A highlight of the trip is the marine component. Myriam is enthusiastic about two coastal sites at which she will lead exploration. One is King Reef which is an offshore reef accessible by foot 800 m offshore at low tide, and the second is the Kennedy Walking Track through mangroves near the Hull River mouth. We are currently working on arranging a boat trip up the Hull River and there is a possibility of a day trip to Dunk Island if enough are interested. 

Participants are encouraged to take on a small project which they can report on at a QNC meeting and in the Journal. Cathie recommends the Cassowary website – Mission Beach is the Cassowary Capital of Australia – the Slow Down Town! https://missionbeachcassowaries.com/ An optional extra is two nights, 23rd and 24th at Cape Hillsborough on the return trip, timed to coincide with low tides for marine organisms. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore a number of richly biodiverse communities with experts in balmy weather and congenial company. 

Registration: Through the website at www.qnc.org.au OR by email to excursion@qnc.org.au with the excursion name Cassowary Coast in the subject line. After online registration you will be given the phone numbers of the leader, which will allow you to further discuss the planned activities. 

Travel: There is a train from Brisbane to Tully where participants will be met. Flights to Townsville where car hire is an option. The roads are suitable for 2WDs, mostly bitumen.

Bring: Long and short sleeves and pants for mosquito and sun protection, windbreaker jacket, water bottle, insect repellent, swimming togs, wet shoe sneakers with socks or gum boots, sunblock, sunhat, camera and binoculars. There’s mostly good mobile coverage. If you have it, bring a reef walking stick, a butterfly net, a mud pump.