Cassowary Coast Attractions

Discover the Lady Bowen shipwreck, just off Mission Beach under only 34 metres of water. A premium destination for advanced and experienced divers, Lady Bowen is more than 100 years old and has become a reef in herself. Expect to see an abundance of colourful marine life, including beautiful lionfish, giant turtles, zigzagging sea snakes and large barracuda.

Visit one of Australia's most beautiful tropical rainforest islands. You'll understand why Dunk Island's first inhabitants named it 'Coonanglebah' - the Island of Peace and Plenty.

Three quarters of the island is designated National Park. The dense rainforest is home to a huge variety of native flora and fauna, including 150 species of birds, and the beautiful electric blue Ulysses butterfly. Relax on the beach and enjoy the soft breezes that rustle the palm trees around you. Walk in the rainforest and admire the spectacular views from the summit of Mt Kootaloo.

Dunk Island offers opportunities for a variety of watersports and activities such as horseriding.

When Spanish-born Jose Paronella emigrated to Australia in 1913, his vision and ambition eventually gave birth to a magnificent Spanish castle. Built in the 1930s amidst the rainforest, beside a gentle creek and cascading waterfall, Jose's castle was later developed into a park, open to visitors.

After years of alternating fortune and misfortune, Jose's family sold the property in 1977. Two years later the castle burnt down and the park was closed for several years. It wasn't until 1993 that Jose's dream came alive again when new owners invested some much needed capital, and a passion equal to Jose's. The park gained National Trust listing in 1997, and has since been constantly winning awards.

Today, the dream continues by way of the interpretive guided tours. The Paronella Story - a 45 minute guided tour - tells the story of Jose Paronella and his dream. The Rainforest Indigenous Experience starts with a bush tucker tour followed by demonstrations of firelighting, didgeridoo playing, and a dance performance. The Evening Light-up Tour brings you along a 1 hour guided evening walk culminating in the lighting up of the fountains, buildings and waterfall.

Paronella Park features a cafe, but you are more than welcome to enjoy a picnic by the waterfall.

Discover rare giant ferns proliferating alongside native and exotic gingers, palms and cycads. Watch beautiful rainforest birds flying around and spot river turtles, eels, and large fish in the clear waters of the creek.

Visit the Tully Sugar Mill and learn about the growing, harvesting and processing of sugar cane into raw sugar, molasses and other by-products.

Tully Mill was established in 1925 and is one of Queensland's super mills - capable of crushing sugar cane at a rate of more than 700 tonnes per hour.