Getaway at Castaways

Mission Beach, James Bond stylie

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Jason Dundas was more than happy to tour Mission Beach in James Bond style. He was trying out a rigid inflatable powerboat called Sealegs. It drives straight from water to land without your feet getting wet. No need for jetties or ramps — from land to water and back, its wheels are lowered and it's driven right onto the beach.

Calypso Adventures is well known for their snorkelling, diving and jetskiing adventures, and they have added a couple of Sealegs to their fleet. James Smith spotted them in New Zealand and they offered the perfect way to transport people comfortably from land to water and keep them dry. Very handy if you are going out to lunch and all dressed up.

Best described as half-boat, half-car, Sealegs are available for charter by groups of up to seven. The ideal thing to do is get a group together and head out to explore beaches, reefs and islands. If you fancy living the dream of being on a deserted island, Calypso will drop you off and collect you later.

There are around a dozen uninhabited rainforest islands not far from Mission Beach, and stunning beaches where you can enjoy a picnic lunch. They have set menus available, but are happy to make one up with your favourite things included.

Castaways Resort & Spa

This popular place has been around for quite a while. It's just had a $3 million makeover and has been re-rated to 4.5 stars. One of the biggest changes is the seamless flow from beach to hotel along new decking.

It's absolute beachfront — 20m and you are on the sands of Mission Beach and the Coral Sea, but if you prefer, you can enjoy the new 25m lap pool.

Bibesia Beach Club, inspired by a Roman goddess renowned for feasting and hospitality, forms the centrepiece of the resort. Guests enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in beautiful surroundings and it's the place for cool sunset cocktails.

You can hardly have a resort without a spa, and at Castaways you can enjoy luxury and relaxation at Drift Day Spa. Treatment tables on the verandahs take in the tranquil surrounds, the gentle sound of waves and views to Dunk Island across the Coral Sea.

Choose your favourite treatment and enjoy being spoilt with an Australian-made and created, scientifically formulated skin care range.

Blo Karts

There's no such thing as too much adventure for Jason. He just had to try one of Mission Beach Adventure Centre's Blo Karts. They are light, manoeuvrable and safe and quickly mastered. The eco-friendly Blo Karts are silent and powered by the wind as they whip you along the beach, centimetres from the sand.

Location

Mission Beach, 90 minutes south of Cairns.

Cost

Castaways Resort & Spa Mission Beach rooms start at $145 a night. One-bedroom apartments start at $275, family resort rooms from $205 and island beachfront suites from $295.

Castaways Island Picnic four-hour tours are $120 per person and $440 for a family of two adults and two children. Seafood hampers are an extra $20 per person. Return transfer to Family Islands, hamper, beach umbrella, towels, snorkel, mask, fins and first aid pack are included. They run every day, weather permitting.

Mission Beach Adventure Centre Blo Karts cost $30 for half an hour and $50 for a full hour.

Virgin Blue has flights to Cairns.

One-way fares from:

Brisbane $149
Sydney $169
Melbourne $198
Canberra $229
Adelaide $239
Hobart $249
Darwin $259
Perth $329

There are limited seats which may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Fares quoted are one-way booked on the internet. An extra $15 will be charged for phone bookings. A credit card surcharge of an additional $2 per person per one-way flight is applicable. Fares are subject to change.

Prices correct at September 23, 2010.