Idyllic stretch of sand and palm trees near Port Douglas in Tropical North Queensland
Table of Contents
Hello beach lovers and welcome to my review of Newell Beach.
If you are planning a visit to Tropical North Queensland I highly recommend you come to this beautiful coastal area near Port Douglas. That is why I have put together this tourist visitor guide!
Here is how I have structured it:
1. Introduction
2. Where is Newell Beach?
3. How to get to Newell Beach
4. Best Time To Visit Newell Beach
5. What Facilities do they have at Newell Beach?
6. Things to do at Newell Beach
7. Tours and Excursions
8. Newell Beach Accommodation
9. Newell Beach Restaurants
10. Final Thought
11. FAQs
Having read this post, I hope you will find it a useful resource for your trip planning.
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you interact with them).
Read Time: 7 Minutes
Introduction
Newell Beach is a gorgeous beach that is definitely worth spending some time at before exploring the magnificent Daintree Rainforest.
Flanked by estuaries at both its ends, this fabulous Tropical North Queensland beach stretches for around 2.5km. It is notable for presenting superb views of the Port Douglas headland at its southern end as well as the quaint Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse and picturesque Low Isles.
For those who love fishing, boating, sunbathing and beach walking, this beach is the perfect destination in which to get your fix. Swimming is also possible, though not recommended, and should only be done at high tide due to the expansive tidal flats.
That said, you should always be mindful of crocodiles in this area as they are prevalent in the mangroves around the estuaries. Aside from them, Newell beach is a wonderful place to spend a few hours relaxing, resting and soaking up the tropical vibe.
If you happen to be in the area, I’d definitely recommend checking it out.
Given that Newell Beach is situated in the tropics, it is a coastal destination that you can visit all year round.
Where is Newell Beach?
Newell Beach is a coastal suburb within the shire of Douglas in Tropical North Queensland, Australia.
Sandwiched in between Wonga Beach to the North and Cooya Beach to the south, it is located about a 30 minute drive from Port Douglas and just a 10 minute drive to the town of Mossman.
If you are coming from the Cairns CBD to Newell Beach it will take you about an hour and 20 minutes to drive there.
That said, the scenic coastal drive along the Captain Cook Highway is so captivating, you might want to tack on some extra time to your journey plan to enable you to take it all in.
Distance to Other Beaches in TNQ
How to get to Newell Beach
Once you are in Tropical North Queensland, the easiest way to get to Newell Beach is to drive there.
If you are coming from the Cairns Esplanade, you will need to cruise along the Captain Cook Highway, passing suburbs like Trinity Beach, Clifton Beach, Palm Cove, and Port Douglas en route to Mossman.
When you get to Mossman you should turn off from Foxton Avenue onto Mossman Daintree Road, which will then take you to Newell Road and onto Marine Parade. From that road, you’ll soon be at the main entrances to the beach.
Should you not have your own car, you can hire one from Cairns Airport. Most of the major car hire companies, including Europcar, Enterprise, and Avis, have outlets there. It would be worth telling them your travel plans, as they will be able to advise you on the most suitable vehicle to match them.
Some attractions and regions in Tropical North Queensland might require four-wheel drive access, depending on what time of year you plan to visit.
For those who would rather be driven there by someone else, you can always catch a ride with an Uber or Port Douglas Taxis.
Best Time To Visit Newell Beach
Given that Newell Beach is situated in the tropics, it is a coastal destination that you can visit all year round.
However, if you have spent a bit of time at any of the Tropical North Queensland beaches, you will understand that the region has two seasons – the wet season and the dry season. Subsequently, this might affect the timing of when you want to go there.
The wet season typically runs from November to April and is characterised by high humidity and heavy rainfall. Conversely, the dry season, runs from May to October and generally offers cooler temperatures and a more pleasant climate in which to enjoy your time there.
During both seasons, you will get plenty of sunshine. So deciding on when to go is a question of personal preference in terms of whether you want to be there when the landscapes are much greener (rainy season) or when the skies are clearer (dry season). Of course, your availability (and that of your family and friends) will play a part in your decision too.
Whenever you decide to go, just bear in mind that this beach near Cairns is a pristine natural environment, so it relies on responsible tourism.
For this reason, beach visitors are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles, dispose of waste responsibly, and respect local flora and fauna.
One of the main attractions of Newell Beach is its incredible, unspoilt natural beauty. This beach spans 2.5km along the idyllic waters of the Coral Sea, providing breathtaking views of the Great Barrier Reef and the surrounding rainforest-covered hills.
What Facilities do they have at Newell Beach?
Newell Beach has a good range of public beachfront facilities including toilets, picnic tables and barbecue facilities. In addition, it also has a convenience store where you can purchase ready-to-eat food and groceries.
Just a short drive up the road, the town of Mossman also features several cafes and takeaways, a Woolworths to buy groceries, a post office, banks, hairdressers, hospital, medical clinics and shops.
Things to do at Newell Beach
One of Newell Beach’s main attractions is its incredible, unspoilt natural beauty. This 2.5 km beach spans the idyllic waters of the Coral Sea, providing breathtaking views of the Great Barrier Reef and the surrounding rainforest-covered hills. This makes it a beautiful beach for walking, beachcombing, or sunbathing.
Unfortunately, swimming is not recommended as the waves can get quite choppy. There is also no currently in place stinger net or surf lifesaver patrol, so it is best to stay out of the water.
For those who enjoy fishing, Newell Beach offers the chance to catch a range of species including Coral Trout, sharks, Grassy Sweet Lips and Stripies. Nearby, the Mossman River has a boat ramp which allows you to take to the water in your tinnie and cast a line for bream or Barramundi Queenies.
If you don’t have a boat, you can charter one from Port Douglas or book yourself on a trip from one of the various companies that offer them there. Similarly, you can also book excursions to the Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge, as well as kayaking tours.
Distance to Other places in Queensland
Tours and Excursions
While Newell Beach is somewhere you’ll want to spend a bit of time at, there are plenty of other tours and excursions you can go on during your visit to Tropical North Queensland.
You should check out both Get Your Guide and Viator for a full selection of what is available. But outlined below are some of the most popular ones you can book.
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns
Tandem Skydive from 15,000 Feet
Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge, and Daintree Rainforest Day Trip
40-Min Scenic Reef Window Seat Airplane Flight
Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat at Green Island from Cairns
Half-Day Waterfalls and Rainforest Experience
Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns
Fitzroy Island Full-Day Adventure Tour
Newell Beach Accommodation
When it comes to holiday accommodation, there aren’t that many places to stay in Newell Beach.
Infact the only real options are BALA Beach House , which is an absolute beachfront retreat that offers comfortable rooms with stunning views of the Coral Sea, and Marine On Marine Newell Beach, a holiday home that offers 3 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and free WI-FI. Both of these are well set up for families.
Aside from them, the Newell Beach Caravan Park and Holiday Units provides excellent spots and facilities for those with tents and trailers.
That said, if you head to Mosman or Port Douglas, you’ll find plenty more options to choose from including some of the more plush resorts.
For most tourists, Newell Beach is not a place they will visit for more than a couple of days. However, for those that do spend time there, they will get to enjoy a captivating destination in Tropical North Queensland that showcases some of the area’s pristine natural beauty.
Newell Beach Restaurants
If you want to eat whilst visiting this coastal suburb, your best bet is the Newell Beach Takeaway and Cafe. They are known for serving up a mean fish and chips and delicious pizzas and their service is nice and quick.
Over at Mossman, if you happen to be in town on a Friday night you should check out Hughie’s Wine Bar which is a trendy wine bar that also offers delicious tapas and is located within the Mossman Hotel.
Otherwise, you best bet for food is at Port Douglas, where there are plenty of dining options including Zinc, which serves modern Australian fare, Lacuna, an delightful Italian restaurant and my personal favourite Melaleuca, who have won an Australian Good Food Guide four years in a row.
Final Thought
For most tourists, Newell Beach is not a place they will visit for more than a couple of days. However, for those that do spend time there, they will get to enjoy a captivating destination in Tropical North Queensland that showcases some of the area’s pristine natural beauty.
The great thing about this beach near Cairns is that it is nice and quiet.
You won’t get hoards of tourists spoiling the ambience, so for this reason you’ll probably be instantly enamoured by it.
FAQs
Here are some answers to questions that tourists frequently asked about visiting Newell Beach in Tropical North Queensland.
Where is Newell Beach?
The sleepy coastal community of Newell Beach is nestled in between Port Douglas and the Daintree National Park.
Are there Crocs at Newell Beach?
Around Newell Beach Qld, large crocodiles are known to reside in the area. Indeed, a 4.5 metre specimen was captured close to the beach area back in 2021. Moreover, in 2023, a 65 year old man was bitten on the foot while sleeping at night on the beach.
Is Newell Beach worth visiting?
Newell Beach Australia is a secluded and quiet 2.5 km stretch of soft golden sand that provides excellent opportunities for fishing, swimming and diving.
