Beautiful Beach on the Cassowary Coast Near Innisfail
Etty Bay is no ordinary beach. That is because it is about the best beach in Tropical North Queensland to spot the fascinating Southern Cassowaries.
Often referred to as ‘living dinosaurs’ (on account of them resembling avian dinosaurs), these flightless birds roam freely along the soft white-sand beach, especially near sunrise and sunset. As long as you don’t provoke them or eat food in their presence, you’ll be able to take some awesome selfies with them in the background!
Backed by a narrow, shady, tree-lined reserve, and steep, forested slopes which rise 250 metres over the beach, Etty Bay enjoys a stunning setting.
Overall, it is more of a locals beach, but it does have a caravan park you can stay at, as well as a surf-lifesaving club. So, if you want to stay here for a night or two, this charming coastal area is well set up to accommodate you.
Where is Etty Bay?
Located on the fringes of the Great Barrier Reef, Etty Bay is a popular locals beach within the Cassowary Coast region of Tropical North Queensland.
It is about 12 km from the township of Innisfail, 48 km north of Mission Beach, 260 km north of Townsville and 100 km south of Cairns.
How To Get To Etty Bay?
Etty Bay can easily be reached from the Bruce Highway, both from a north or south direction.
Once you approach the town of Mourilyan look out for the turn off for Mourilyan Harbour Road. It should have clear signage for Etty Bay Beach.
This road takes you on a 10-15 minute drive through beautiful, countrified urban areas that feature some stunning houses with lovely manicured lawns.
Once on it, you will need to veer onto Etty Bay Road which traverses the verdant rainforested coastal Moresby Range towards the hidden beach.
You will find plenty of free parking at the beach with no set time limits.
Facilities at Etty Bay?
Despite its remote location, Etty Bay has some very good facilities.
These include very clean toilet blocks, picnic tables and BBQs, as well as a swimming net which is patrolled by surf lifesavers from the Etty Bay SLSC, which first opened in 1935.
Aside from the surf club, there is a general store and a caravan park with cabins that line the shore. you can make a reservation at the Etty Bay Caravan Park
The beach does not cater for people with disability access needs and is a glass free zone.
It also is also not dog-friendly due to the presence of cassowaries and the area’s delicate ecosystem. So, you will need to leave Fido or Bella at home.
Things To Do Etty Bay?
Aside from spotting the cassowaries which freely roam the area, the best thing to do at Etty Bay is relax.
The east facing beach only extends for about 700 metres, so it won’t take you long to stroll along its gentle curve from the headland at the south to the rocks at its northern part.
Once at the rocks, you can venture through the rainforest, which consists of Cerbera Manghas, White Apple, Pandanus,and Hibiscus, to a couple of smaller beaches. Just be aware of spiders and mosquitos as you make your way through it.
The stinger net, which is located directly in front of the surf club, makes swimming in the protected bay very enjoyable.
You might also be able to catch a wave or two down on the southern end of the Beach when the south-easterlies stiffen, while fishing is best down at high tide from either end of the rocks.
