Pristine, Raw Coastline in Tropical North Queensland
Are you planning a visit to Tropical North Queensland? Then you should make a point of checking out Wangetti Beach!
If you are not familiar with it, hopefully you’ll find my post about visiting this raw, pristine stretch of Queensland beach an informative read.
Below is the table of contents which showcases how the post has been structured.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Where is Wangetti Beach?
3. How to Get to Wangetti Beach
4. Best Time To Visit Wangetti Beach
5. What Facilities do they have at Wangetti Beach?
6. Things To Do At Wangetti Beach
7. Tours and Excursions
8. Where to stay near Wangetti Beach
9. Where to eat near Wangetti Beach
10. Final Thought
11. FAQs
Hopefully after you have read this post you’ll become inspired to visit the place!
(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: 8 Minutes
Introduction
Its fair to say Wangetti Beach in Tropical North Queensland is somewhat of a local secret.
Stretching for four glorious kilometres from Slip Cliff Point to Red Cliff Point, you’ll find this beach just to the north of Palm Cove, and when you get there, you could well have it to yourself.
One of the main reasons for this is because the only facilities it has are the car parks at either end of it beach. It is also not patrolled and has very little in the way of shade, so unless you bring a cabana, you won’t be able to stay out in the sun too long.
However, for the length of time of you do spend here, you’ll feel a sense of tranquillity and serenity which other beaches in the area don’t possess. Even the cars that zip along the Captain Cook Highway which runs adjacent to it, will barely register in your mind.
Overall, Wangetti is a terrific, raw beach that is idea for walking, yoga and sunbathing. At its southern end, there is also a somewhat ethereal section, where locals and visitors have created fascinating towers of stone, made from rocks found on the sand.
Most tourists tend to park at Slip Cliff Point as you can get a superb view of the full length of the sand from just past the northern entrance.
Where is Wangetti Beach?
Wangetti is one of the many beaches you can visit near Cairns in Tropical Far North Queensland.
It is situated about a 45-minute drive north of Cairns, between Ellis Beach to the south and Port Douglas to the north.
The beach resides on land traditionally owned by the Yirrganydji indigenous people.
Distance from Wangetti Beach to other destinations in Tropical North Queensland:
How to Get to Wangetti Beach
Wangetti Beach is easy to get to via the Captain Cook Highway, which runs alongside it.
As mentioned, there are two main car parks at its southern and northern end, so you can’t really miss it. Most tourists tend to park at Slip Cliff Point as you can get a superb view of the full length of the sand from just past the northern entrance.
If you don’t have access to a car you can hire one from one of the main car rental companies that operate from Cairns Airport. You’ll find the likes of Hertz, Budget, Europcar and Avis operated desks there.
Best Time To Visit Wangetti Beach
As it is located within Tropical North Queensland, Wangetti Beach is a destination you can visit all year round.
Warm, sunny days are a regular occurrence here, with the temperature regularly topping 30 degrees celsius in the summer months of December to February. However, as this coincides with the wet season, you can experience storms and heavy rain on any given day.
At other times of the year the weather stays in the mid 20s, with often high humidity. For this reason, it is best not to stay out in the sun in the middle of the day and to always take proper sun protection measures when you are out.
As the estuary that runs along the beach may be inhabited by crocodiles, it is a good idea to avoid going to the beach before sunrise and after sunset.
You shouldn’t rock up at either car park thinking there will be lots of things to do at Wangetti Beach, because sadly there are not. However, what there is to do there should fill your cup of happiness sufficiently.
What Facilities do they have at Wangetti Beach?
Aside from the car parks that reside at either end of it Wangetti Beach does not have any facilities whatsoever.
This means there are no toilets or showers and the beach is not patrolled either.
If you want to use a public toilet, you are probably better off going to Ellis Beach or Port Douglas to use the facilities there. Both of these beaches are manned by surf life guards as well and have shops near them.
However, you should consider downloading the National Toilet Map onto your smartphone to determine where the closest one is to you present location.
Distance from Wangetti Beach to other destinations in Queensland:
Things To Do At Wangetti Beach
You shouldn’t rock up at either car park thinking there will be lots of things to do at Wangetti Beach, because sadly there are not. However, what there is to do there should fill your cup of happiness sufficiently.
If you park at the northern car park, make sure you head to the Rex Lookout for a fantastic view of the full length of the sand. You should also take the opportunity to go for a nice long beach walk, do some beachcombing, and of course, enjoy soaking up some vitamin D while sunbathing.
Those into fishing should head to the rocks at either end of the beach as they provide you with your best chance of catching the likes of bream, whiting and flathead.
At the southern end, it’s worth photographing some of the fabulous rock towers that locals and visitors have constructed. You might want to have a go at making one yourself!
Tours and Excursions
After visiting Wangetti Beach there are plenty of other tours and excursions you can go on in Cairns and the wide part of Tropical North Queensland.
You can check out the full range of them offered by Get Your Guide or Viator. However, outlined below are a selection of some of the most popular ones you can go on.
Tandem Skydive with Transfers & Option for Beach Landing
Great Barrier Reef Diving and Snorkeling Cruise
40-Min Scenic Reef Window Seat Airplane Flight
Day Trip to Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation, and Daintree Rainforest
Fitzroy Island Adventure Full-Day Tour
Glass Bottom Boat or Snorkelling at Green Island
Half-Day Rainforest and Waterfalls Experience
Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip
Whichever tour you choose, you should try and make a booking as early as you possibly can. They often get booked up quickly, especially during peak season. So, you will go a long way towards avoiding the potential disappointment of missing out if you do.
While Wangetti Beach is not a destination you will base a Queensland holiday around, it is somewhere you should make a point of visiting.
Where to stay near Wangetti Beach
As a secluded destination, Wangetti Beach Accommodation is quite limited. You will not find any beachfront resorts there. However, there are a handful of nearby options that offer easy access to the beach via car.
These include the Thala Beach Nature Reserve in Oak Beach, near Port Douglas, which offers eco-friendly bungalows set among the rainforest.
You can also consider the Ellis Beach Oceanfront Holiday Park
Due to the sparsity of accommodation options, you might want to book somewhere in Palm Cove, Port Douglas and Cairns, where you will find everything from luxury five-star hotels to Air BnB and backpackers’ digs.
Restaurants near Wangetti Beach
Where to eat near Wangetti Beach
There are no restaurants or cafes at all near Wangetti Beach, so your best bet is to head to the Ellis Beach Bar and Grill which is about an 8 minute drive away.
You could also make your way into Palm Cove or Port Douglas, where you will find several places to eat, including what are listed in the grey box above.
Final Thought
While Wangetti Beach is not a destination you will base a Queensland holiday around, it is somewhere you should make a point of visiting.
Overall, its quiet, tranquil nature makes it the perfect place to enjoy a bit of peace, quiet and respite from the main tourist sites in and around Cairns.
As it stretches for 4 km, it is also an excellent beach for stretching your legs and taking your dog for a walk.
FAQs
Here are some answers to questions that tourists frequently asked about visiting Wangetti Beach in Tropical North Queensland.
How Far Is Wangetti Beach from Cairns?
Wangetti is situated about 41 km north of Cairns. The drive from the CBD takes about 40 minutes along the Captain Cook Highway and National Route 1.
How Far is Wangetti Beach to Port Douglas?
Separated by a distance of 26 km, it will take you about 26 minutes to drive from Wangetti Beach to Port Douglas along the Captain Cook Highway and State Route 44.
How Long is Wangetti Beach?
The beach at Wangetti about 4 km in length. It runs between Slip and Red Cliff Points in a virtually straight stretch of Queensland coastline. You'll find a car parks book-ending the beach, though nothing in the way of facilities.
Can you swim at Wangetti Beach?
Swimming is possible at Wangetti due to the water being pretty calm. That said you are strongly advised not to do it during the stinger season - between November to May. The beach is also not patrolled by lifeguards and Wangetti Beach crocodiles have occasionally been spotted on it. So you should always exercise caution if you do intend to enter the water.
