Etty Bay is the small rainforest cove at Etty Bay Innisfail where an Etty Bay cassowary often walks the sand. Stay at Etty Bay Caravan Park and swim inside the Etty Bay stinger net in front of the surf club.

🏖️ Why Visit Etty Bay?

Etty Bay is one of those rare beaches that feels like it belongs in a nature documentary — rainforest right to the water’s edge, turquoise waves lapping against golden sand, and wild cassowaries casually strolling by. It’s perfect for families, photographers, and nature lovers who want a safe swimming spot wrapped in natural beauty. Few places in the world offer such a unique blend of wildlife encounters and tropical serenity.

🌅Things to Do at Etty Bay

🦩 Cassowary Watching — Spot wild Southern Cassowaries on the beach and rainforest fringe (best early morning & late afternoon)
🏊 Swimming — Calm water inside the stinger net (November–May)
🚶 Beach Walks — Short scenic arc of sand backed by rainforest
🍖 Picnics — Shaded tables and electric BBQs with ocean views
Photography — Excellent for cassowaries, sunrise and rainforest cliffs
😌 Relaxation — Quiet, uncrowded beach perfect for slow days

🐦 Etty Bay cassowary

🦩 Regular wild Southern Cassowary sightings on the beach and in the caravan park
🕐 Best times — Early morning and late afternoon
⚠️ Keep distance — Cassowaries can be dangerous; never feed or approach
📷 Photography hotspot — One of the most reliable mainland locations in Queensland

🚩Etty Bay Stinger Net and Swimming

🛡️ Etty Bay stinger net — In front of the surf club. Swim here in stinger season.
🚩 Seasonal patrol — Etty Bay SLSC weekends and school holidays. Check the flags on the day.
🪼 November to May — Suit on even inside the net. Nets do not stop Irukandji.

🏕️Etty Bay Caravan Park

🏕️ Beachfront park — Etty Bay Caravan Park is the only stay on this cove. Cabins, vans and tents.
🚫 No dogs in the park — Cassowary habitat.
No free sand camping — Book the park. Do not camp on the beach.

🐶 Dog Rules

🚫 No dogs allowed — Beach, caravan park and surrounding area
🦩 Cassowary protection — Dogs are prohibited to safeguard the endangered birds and chicks
📍 Nearest dog-friendly options — Check Mission Beach off-leash sections (approx 45 min north)
🚫 Not a dog beach — No off-leash zone. Park is no dogs.
🐦 Cassowaries first — Dogs attack chicks. Cassowaries can kill dog

🛠️ Facilities & Accessibility

🚽 Public Toilets — Clean toilet block near the foreshore and Surf Club
🚿 Cold Showers — Available near the amenities
🍖 Electric BBQs & Picnic Tables — Shaded picnic shelters and free BBQs
🏪 General Store & Takeaway — Small beachfront kiosk/café for basic supplies and meals
🏊 Stinger Net — Installed in front of the Surf Life Saving Club (November–May)
🚩 Surf Life Saving Club — Voluntary patrols on weekends and school holidays
🅿️ Free Parking — Ample parking at the beach with no time limits
🛝 Playground — Small playground near the caravan park
♿ Accessibility — Not suitable for wheelchairs due to sand and sloping access

🗺️ Getting There

🚗 Sealed road access via Etty Bay Road (off Mourilyan Harbour Road)
🚗 Etty Bay Innisfail — About 12 to 15 minutes from town on a sealed road.
🚫 No 4WD beach — Sealed access only. Do not drive the sand
🅿️ Free parking at the beach with no time limits

💡 Local Tips

🌴 Etty Bay is a tropical postcard come to life, famous for its resident cassowaries, fringing rainforest, and soft white sand.
🏖️ The beach is patrolled seasonally and perfect for swimming, kayaking, and relaxing in calm, clear water protected by stinger nets during summer.
☕ Grab coffee or fish and chips from the Etty Bay Kiosk, located right beside the sand.
🚶 Explore the short rainforest walks behind the beach or enjoy a scenic drive back through Moresby Range National Park.
🦜 This is one of the few places in Australia where you can see cassowaries walking on the beach — always keep a respectful distance and never feed them.

📍Nearby Attractions

🏰 Paronella Park — Historic Spanish-inspired rainforest castle and waterfalls (approx 20 minutes)
🌿 Wooroonooran National Park — Rainforest walks, creeks and scenic drives
🏖️ Mission Beach — Coastal village with shops, cafés and reef tour departures (approx 45 minutes)
🐊 Johnstone River — Crocodile-spotting and fishing tours from Innisfail

📅 Events & Markets Nearby

🍉 Innisfail Feast of the Senses (March) — Tropical food festival in Innisfail with local produce, street food, entertainment and cooking demonstrations. 🛍️ Mission Beach Rotary Markets (1st Sunday and last Sunday monthly) — Beachfront produce, crafts, clothing, gifts and food stalls. About 40 minutes south.
🌴 Wongaling Beach Markets (1st and 3rd Saturday monthly) — Artisan stalls, jewellery, homewares and food. Same Mission Beach drive.

For a full list of what’s on in the region, visit the
👉 Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast Attractions | Best Things to Do in Tropical North Queensland

Accommodation Near Etty Bay

• 🏕️ Etty Bay Caravan Park – beachfront powered sites, cabins, and café. 🔗 Book direct — ettybaycaravanpark.com.au
• 🏠 Holiday homes and rainforest retreats nearby in Innisfail.
• 🏨 Castaways Resort & Spa (Mission Beach) – full-service beachfront resort within an hour’s drive.

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🍴 Places to Eat & Drink

Etty Bay has a small beachfront café serving coffee, snacks, and light meals with ocean views. For more dining options, head into Innisfail, where you’ll find pubs, seafood restaurants, and multicultural eateries, or take a scenic drive to Mission Beach for waterfront dining and tropical cocktails.

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🧭 Plan Your Trip to Etty Bay

Etty Bay is one of the most magical beaches in Queensland — where ancient rainforest meets the Coral Sea and cassowaries still roam freely. Its quiet beauty, safe swimming, and rare wildlife encounters make it a must-visit stop on the Cassowary Coast. Come early, bring your camera, and experience the unforgettable moment of sharing the sand with one of Australia’s most iconic and endangered creatures.

💬 Share Your Etty Bay Beach Photos & Reviews

📸 We’d love to see your favourite moments from the Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast Region! Upload your photos, share your experiences, and leave a review to help other visitors discover this breathtaking tropical coastline where the rainforest meets the reef.

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💙 Explore More Beaches Nearby

Discover more of the Cassowary Coast:
Mission Beach ➜ | Bingil Bay ➜ | Dunk Island ➜ | Kurrimine Beach ➜

🌊 About This Beach Directory

🌴 Note: This directory doesn’t include every beach in Queensland — there are simply too many! We’ve selected the most significant and unique beaches based on a range of factors including natural beauty, accessibility, and local popularity.

💌 If you think we’ve missed one that deserves to be featured, we’d love to hear from you!

📧 Email us at Admin@QldBeach.com with your photos and tell us why your favourite beach should be added.

☀️ Happy surfing, swimming and sunning from the Queensland Beach Guide team!

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_{Last updated: June 2026}

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