Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Cardwell Seafest delivered an ocean of entertainment on the weekend for the whole community, with families, visitors and locals enjoying a packed program of activities, markets and performances. Young festival-goers were among those enjoying the classic Punch and Judy show, with plenty of little eyes glued to the colourful performance and its hilarious characters. The hot rod car show also proved a major drawcard, with the polished vehicles turning heads and attracting plenty of attention throughout the day. Car enthusiasts and curious spectators alike took the opportunity to admire the impressive collection and chat with fellow motoring fans. The Seafest markets were another hit, with stalls offering plenty to browse, buy and discover. And amongst them on the foreshore was the kid’s fishing competition and other fish-related activities that added to the active Sunday market atmosphere. From children gathered around the puppet booth, to fishing off the jetty, to crowds stopping to admire the hot rods and families wandering between market stalls, there was plenty happening along the Cardwell foreshore. As the weekend unfolded, Seafest offered plenty to watch, something to browse, activities to do and many familiar faces to catch up with, capturing the easygoing atmosphere that makes Cardwell events such a drawcard. Photo credit: Victoria Velton
Read the full story
By Helen Cook With October signalling the approach of The Wet, children at Jumbun have been adding a splash of colour to a project that could make a big difference when the full force of the season arrives. Jumbun is a small Aboriginal community on Girramay Country, on the Cassowary Coast, home to people from the Girramay, Jirrbal and Gulnay nations, about 40km south-west of Tully. During the school holidays, community members have been painting power poles with colourful cassowaries, flowers, birds and other images inspired by their surroundings. But behind the painting is a bigger story. Heavy rain, storms, cyclones, fallen trees and vegetation can interrupt electricity supplies across the whole of the Wet Tropics. Jumbun is particularly vulnerable because it sits at the end of a powerline running from the Tully substation. “Every single power outage on that powerline, about 40 kms of it, the Jumbun community experiences,” Ergon Energy Senior Community Engagement Advisor Kate Austin said. This wet season, however, Jumbun has something new in its corner – a low-voltage microgrid designed to keep much of the community powered when the main supply is interrupted. At its heart is a large battery “box”. “If there’s a fault on the network upstream, we can isolate the residents here in community and power it from the battery,” Kate said, allowing Tully crews to make repairs while “keeping the power on to the community”. Around 25 homes, together with the health clinic and community hall, are connected to the system, while two houses outside the microgrid configuration have been fitted with rooftop solar. Jumbun is one of two Queensland First Nations communities involved in network-connected microgrid trials, alongside Mossman Gorge, where a high-voltage system has been installed. The trials will help determine whether the technology could benefit other communities at the edge of the grid. The pole painting is part of a wider program helping residents, particularly children, understand the new technology and the importance of conserving energy. And the biggest canvas is still to come. The microgrid box will be wrapped in artwork by local Jumbun artist Tonya Grant, depicting the story of Split Rock and giving the new infrastructure a distinctly local identity. The artwork is expected to be installed within the next month. Jumbun kids (and Chase, the dog) get creative with Ergon Energy’s Kate Austin and Karina Hoppe during a colourful school holiday art and power project. Photo credit: Helen Cook
Read the full story
By Victoria Velton For some, a paint and sip is simply an afternoon out with a bit of bubbly. A recent Queensland Country Women Association (QCWA) event in Forrest Beach offered something a little deeper: an opportunity to talk about recovery, resilience and the importance of connection following disaster. Queensland Health Mental Health Clinician Jenna from the Disaster Recovery Team has been attending the CWA for around six months and helped organise the event as a way to bring people together. Jenna explained that the Disaster Recovery Team was formed following the region’s natural disasters, providing mental health support at a time when much of the immediate disaster assistance has already disappeared. “But that doesn’t mean people aren’t still struggling, still aren’t in their homes,” Jenna said. Jenna said community connection was a critical part of recovery, while her team also provides one-on-one support for people who may need additional help. “Stress during and immediately after a disaster is important as it helps us do what we need to do, however stress for long periods of time wreaks havoc on our body and mind and may be a sign to reach out for support,” she said. Beverley Hulme was one of those who shared her experience, recalling the floods at Forrest Beach, when she found herself isolated at home without power or communication. “I was really, really alone, and I had no resources because I wasn't prepared. Of course, I had never experienced rain coming down for 10 days,” Beverley said. Her experience changed when someone arrived at her home to conduct a welfare check, followed by women who offered to provide her with meals three times a day. “That’s what saved my mental health,” she said. For Beverley, the experience highlighted the importance of being prepared, but also the strength of a community coming together when people need it most. She also recognised that the emotional recovery does not necessarily end when the floodwaters recede. “You don’t just keep going. With that trauma inside you, you’ve got to get it out and talk about how you felt.” Another attendee shared her own experience of the disaster, explaining that while her husband was occupied helping others as part of the emergency response, she was often left alone at home. Her story highlighted a different side of disaster recovery, that even when someone has people around them, they can still feel isolated, particularly when family members are unaware of what they are experiencing. The discussion also raised concerns about residents in more isolated communities being forgotten during the floods, with attendees questioning whether emergency planning adequately considers those living further from major population centres. Jenna said the concerns raised were important and encouraged residents to continue providing feedback and directing their questions about how to get prepared before the wet season begins. “The HUB in Ingham might be able to answer those questions. Or even the councils as well, who are passionate about this. So that feedback is really important, both positive and constructive,” she said. As the community approaches another wet season, Jenna said preparedness and connection remain important parts of building resilience and supporting people through the longer-term impacts of disaster. As the conversation gave way to creativity, attendees picked up their brushes under the guidance of Tipsy-Doodle, a Townsville-based paint and sip program. The specially designed artwork showed the sun breaking through clouds over a grassy knoll, with a cut tree stump sprouting a new branch and leaves. The image was chosen to symbolise recovery and perseverance, reflecting the resilience of both nature and the community. Beginning with heavy conversation but finishing with bright artwork, the ladies of the Forrest Beach CWA’s Paint n Sip showcased canvases carrying a message that recovery takes time, and coming together is an important part of finding the strength to grow again. Photo credit: Victoria Velton Ladies of the Forrest Beach CWA Michelle and Joe Amanda and Beverley Anne, Vicky and Katrina Karen and Annie Pam and Alana Pauline and Wendy Valda's work Valerie
Read the full story
On 10 October 1859 George Elphinstone Dalrymple first sighted what would become the Valley of Lagoons. He applied for a land grant of the area. Arthur and Walter Scott later took up controlling interest in the Valley of Lagoons Station.
Read the full story
Good travel planning shouldn’t feel like homework. The Hinchinbrook Way website is designed to move you quickly from “maybe” to “let’s go,” with destinations, walks, stays and maps all in one place. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure builder, minus the stress.
Mix rainforest mornings with coastal afternoons. Pair island days with deli nights. Save favourites, share links and leave room for weather, tides and appetite to make final decisions. That flexibility is the secret sauce.
Instead of locking you into rigid itineraries, good planning here frees you up on the ground. Less scrolling on the road, more time actually doing the things you bookmarked. The result? Fewer compromises, better timing and trips that feel relaxed rather than rushed.
Start here: hinchinbrookway.com.au
Shanti Cafe has food that is a delight to the tongue, and the eyes. ‘One of the best chai lattes, I’ve ever had’ said Victoria. Photo credit: Victoria Velton
Shanti Café in Mission Beach has built a reputation for serving fresh, flavour-packed meals made entirely in-house.
Every dish is created from scratch, with the team preparing everything from fresh juices, smoothies and shakes to their cabinet cakes and seasonal menu items. Rather than sticking to the same offerings year-round, much of the menu changes regularly to make the most of fresh ingredients as they become available, ensuring there's always something new to discover.
While the menu evolves with the seasons, several favourites have earned permanent status. The café's Eggs Benedict continues to be one of its most popular breakfast choices, while the Loaded and Mega-Loaded Croissants have developed a loyal following. For those looking for something with a little more kick, the café's range of scrambled egg dishes, including the popular Chilli Scramble, remains a standout.
Presentation is just as important as flavour, with every plate arriving as colourful as the tropical surroundings that inspired it. Whether it's breakfast, brunch or lunch, meals are designed to be both satisfying and beautifully presented.
Coffee lovers are equally well looked after, with the team proudly standing behind what they jokingly describe as "the best barista in Australia". Pair your coffee with one of the house-made cakes in the display cabinet and it's easy to see why many customers find themselves returning time and again.
Shanti Café is also a popular gathering place for celebrations and catch-ups. Groups are warmly welcomed, with catering available for morning teas, lunches and special occasions. The team takes pride in accommodating a wide range of dietary requirements, offering gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options without compromising on flavour or quality.
At its heart, Shanti Café is about bringing people together over fresh food, exceptional coffee and genuine hospitality, making it a must-visit in Mission Beach.
Tuesday 7 July
Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026 Day 1, 8:00am – 2:00pm, Meeting at Public Boat Ramp, Dungeness Road, Lucinda
Weekly Community Bingo (Tuesday Session), 10:30am, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham
Wednesday 8 July
Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026 Day 2, 8:00am – 2:00pm, Meeting at Public Boat Ramp, Dungeness Road, Lucinda
Hinchinbrook Stitchers, Social Sewing Group, 9:00am - 3:00pm at Victoria Mill Social Club Hall, Ingham
Tai Chi, 9:00am - 10:00am, Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Forrest Beach
Friends of Forrest Beach, conversation and games, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Progress Park shelter, Forrest Beach
Canasta & Cards, 1:30pm – 3:30pm at The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd
Social Darts, 7:00pm, Brothers Sports and Community Club, Cooper St, Ingham
Thursday 9 July
Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026 Day 3, 8:00am – 2:00pm, Meeting at Public Boat Ramp, Dungeness Road, Lucinda
QCWA Forrest Beach Meeting, 9:00am, QCWA Hall Palm Street, Forrest Beach
Senior Men's Social Group, 9:00am – 12:00pm at HCSC The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd, Ingham
CWA Craft Group, 9:00am – 12:00pm at the Forrest Beach CWA Hall, 6 Palm St.
Technology Classes, 10:00am – 1:30pm, at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham
Playtime At The Library, 10:30am – 12:00pm at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith St, Ingham
Mahjong, 1:00pm – 3:00pm at The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd
Weekly Community Bingo (Thursday Session), 6:45pm, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham
Friday 10 July
Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026 Day 4, 8:00am – 2:00pm, Meeting at Public Boat Ramp, Dungeness Road, Lucinda
Seniors Morning Coffee Club, 9:30am – 11:30am at the Noorla Bowls Club, 32 McIlwraith St, Ingham
Saturday 11 July
Parkrun, 7:00am, Palm Creek, Ingham & Cardwell Jetty Foreshore, Cardwell
Conroy Hall Markets, 7:30am-11:30am, Conroy Hall, Ingham
Forrest Beach HOY, 12:30, Forrest Beach Community Function Centre, Forrest Beach
Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026 Day 5, 8:00am – 2:00pm, Meeting at Public Boat Ramp, Dungeness Road, Lucinda
Ingham Gold Cup (18+ event), 11:00am - 9:00pm, Herbert River Jockey Club, 69 Marina Parade, Ingham
Sunday 12 July
Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026 Day 6, 8:00am – 2:00pm, Meeting at Public Boat Ramp, Dungeness Road, Lucinda
Herbert River Orchid & Allied Plant Society meeting,1:30pm Conroy Hall, Ingham
Get Rhythm presents Johnny Cash and June Carter Story, 3:00pm - 5:30pm, Hinchinbrook Shire Hall, 25 Lannercost St, Ingham
Monday 13 July
Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026 Day 7, 8:00am – 2:00pm, Meeting at Public Boat Ramp, Dungeness Road, Lucinda
Tuesday 14 July
Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026 Day 8, 8:00am – 2:00pm, Meeting at Public Boat Ramp, Dungeness Road, Lucinda
Weekly Community Bingo (Tuesday Session), 10:30am, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham
Get Rhythm presents Johnny Cash and June Carter Story, 3:00pm - 5:30pm, Hinchinbrook Shire Hall, 25 Lannercost St, Ingham
Wednesday 15 July
Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026 Day 9, 8:00am – 2:00pm, Meeting at Public Boat Ramp, Dungeness Road, Lucinda
Hinchinbrook Stitchers, Social Sewing Group, 9:00am - 3:00pm at Victoria Mill Social Club Hall, Ingham
Tai Chi, 9:00am - 10:00am, Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Forrest Beach
Friends of Forrest Beach, conversation and games, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Progress Park shelter, Forrest Beach
Ingham Probus Games Day, 10:00am Herbert River RSL Club, Ingham
Canasta & Cards, 1:30pm – 3:30pm at The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd
Social Darts, 7:00pm, Brothers Sports and Community Club, Cooper St, Ingham
Thursday 16 July
Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026 Day 10, 8:00am – 2:00pm, Meeting at Public Boat Ramp, Dungeness Road, Lucinda
Senior Men's Social Group, 9:00am – 12:00pm at HCSC The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd, Ingham
CWA Craft Group, 9:00am – 12:00pm at the Forrest Beach CWA Hall, 6 Palm St.
Technology Classes, 10:00am – 1:30pm, at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham
Playtime At The Library, 10:30am – 12:00pm at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith St, Ingham
Mahjong, 1:00pm – 3:00pm at The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd
Weekly Community Bingo (Thursday Session), 6:45pm, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham
Friday 17 July
Seniors Morning Coffee Club, 9:30am – 11:30am at the Noorla Bowls Club, 32 McIlwraith St, Ingham
Saturday 18 July
Parkrun, 7:00am, Palm Creek, Ingham & Cardwell Jetty Foreshore, Cardwell
Markets at the Mosaic, 8:00am - 12:00pm, Mercer Lane, 78 Lannercost St, Ingham
Sunday 19 July
Lucinda Markets, 7am –11am, Borello Park, Lucinda
Monday 20 July
Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism Inc. General Monthly Meeting, 1:30pm-3pm, Old Suncorp Building, Ingham
Tuesday 21 July
Weekly Community Bingo (Tuesday Session), 10:30am, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham
2026 State of the Region Roadshow - Hinchinbrook Insights Session, From 5:00pm, The Powerhouse, 40 McIlwraith Street, Ingham
Wednesday 22 July
Ingham Probus Working Bee for Christmas in July
Hinchinbrook Stitchers, Social Sewing Group, 9:00am - 3:00pm at Victoria Mill Social Club Hall, Ingham
Tai Chi, 9:00am - 10:00am, Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Forrest Beach
Friends of Forrest Beach, conversation and games, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Progress Park shelter, Forrest Beach
Morning Melodies: James Taylor Tribute Fire & Rain by Darren Coggan, 10:30am, Hinchinbrook Shire Hall, Ingham
Canasta & Cards, 1:30pm – 3:30pm at The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd
Social Darts, 7:00pm, Brothers Sports and Community Club, Cooper St, Ingham
Thursday 23 July
Senior Men's Social Group, 9:00am – 12:00pm at HCSC The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd, Ingham
CWA Craft Group, 9:00am – 12:00pm at the Forrest Beach CWA Hall, 6 Palm St.
Technology Classes, 10:00am – 1:30pm, at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham
Playtime At The Library, 10:30am – 12:00pm at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith St, Ingham
Mahjong, 1:00pm – 3:00pm at The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd
Weekly Community Bingo (Thursday Session), 6:45pm, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham
Friday 24 July
Seniors Morning Coffee Club, 9:30am – 11:30am at the Noorla Bowls Club, 32 McIlwraith St, Ingham
On 12 July 1896 John Lely, Honorary Secretary of the Halifax Planters’ Club wrote to the ‘Queenslander’ newspaper with suggestions on how to help eradicate the cane grub infestation. In Halifax the farmers had a self-imposed a levy of 7shillings per acre for beetle destruction measures.
By Saxon Crabb
(With thanks to the Ingham Photography Group)
Keith and Maxine proudly show the finished 6000-piece puzzle. Ready to be sent off to Ingham for custom framing Photo credit: Victoria Velton
When Cardwell couple Keith and Maxine finally slotted the last piece into their enormous 6000-piece jigsaw, it marked the end of a four-month journey that had tested far more than their patience.
The puzzle, believed to be the largest completed in Queensland, will soon hang in the foyer of Ingham Hospital as a thank you to the staff who cared for Keith after a neck injury brought the project, and life, to an abrupt halt.
The massive seascape depicting a fiery sea battle of two large wooden ships upon a raging and stormy sea, wasn't even the puzzle Keith wanted to tackle.
“That was the only one available. We wouldn't have touched it, because it's too hard. You've got so much blue. The sky and the clouds have all got to line up. We'd go a whole day and get four pieces put in.”
Unlike most jigsaws, finishing this one was only half the challenge as because of its size, the completed puzzle had to be glued, mounted onto plywood and lacquered, a process Keith says very few people could manage.
“There's no more that we know of that's ever been done. Nobody does them because they can't turn them over.
“We've got all the apparatus here to turn them over and spray the lacquer on them. It's got to be turned over for the glue to go on, then lifted up so the plywood can go underneath. We got all that worked out.”
Partway through the project, however, Keith's determination came at a cost. When, after working for hours on the elevated puzzle table strained his neck.
“I was up there on my haunches and my neck got sore, but I kept going. Later that night I had hell on earth, so I went by ambulance to Ingham Hospital and then Townsville.
“In the meantime, Maxine and her daughter took over and they did the bulk of it. When I got back, we finished off the bottom and the top.
“It's been a terrible one. It's been a cause-and-effect kind of puzzle. It put me in hospital, but now we're giving it to them,” he laughed.
Originally, the completed puzzle was destined for the Cardwell Library, but that changed after Keith experienced the care provided by Ingham Hospital.
“Ingham Hospital was so, so good to me looking after me that I decided to give it to them.
“We'll have an opening ceremony for the nurses, the doctors, the cleaners and the cooks. I can't speak too highly of Ingham Hospital, so I decided to give it to them.”
For Keith, tackling the giant puzzle was never about the picture itself, but for the pair, proving it could be done.
“There's never been one done, let alone put on a base. Getting it turned upside down for the glue was touch and go.
“The plywood has got to be cut exactly to size and once that touches, if it's not right, that's it. You can throw the whole thing away. It's got to go down dead straight.”
While the early weeks tested everyone's patience, the finish came together much more quickly.
“After a day on it we'd get two pieces done, then six. As you get near the end you get about 20 in a day. The last 200 pieces went real fast, but all this up there was slow, slow, slow.”
The enormous seascape is a departure from the puzzles Keith and Maxine usually complete.
Instead, they prefer colourful landscapes and animals, many of which now decorate businesses throughout Cardwell.
“We found everybody likes dogs and cats and tigers, and lots of colours.
“The hairdresser wanted a chalet, so we took her one. We took one to the vet with dogs and cats, another one to the chemist and another one to Ob La Di.”
The couple source their puzzles from Cairns, Innisfail, Ingham, Townsville and now Cardwell, avoiding second-hand puzzles after too many frustrating experiences with missing pieces.
“We only pick the very best, what we like and what people are going to like.
“The second-hand ones have bits missing, and when you spend about a week on one and find there's a piece missing...,” Keith said with a sigh.
“So we don't get them from there anymore. They're all brand new now.”
Soon, after receiving its custom frame, the 6000-piece masterpiece will leave Keith and Maxine's home for good.
After four months of painstaking work, countless hours of sorting and placing, and an unexpected trip to hospital, the puzzle's final home will be where Keith believes it belongs.
Read the pair’s first interview with Hinchinbrook Life about their puzzling history: www.hinchinbrooklife.com/article/cardwell-local-spreads-passion-for-arts-and-creativity9
Some celebrations deserve an ocean view. At Plenty in Mission Beach, every gathering unfolds against a backdrop of swaying palms, gentle sea breezes and sweeping views across the Coral Sea - a picture that's every bit as memorable as the occasion itself.
Over the past year, Plenty has become a popular destination for weddings, milestone birthdays, baby showers, family gatherings and corporate functions.
Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a larger celebration, the team works closely with guests to create tailored menus and memorable experiences that make every event feel personal.
As a family-friendly venue, Plenty welcomes every generation, filling long tables with family and friends for sunset dinners overlooking the ocean, where children's laughter carries out across the beach.
The menu reflects the same attention to detail. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Plenty offers a modern, inspired menu that blends fresh local ingredients with bold flavours and creative twists. Diners will discover dishes not commonly found in the region, including the chef's deliciously fresh pho.
Breakfast lovers can also take advantage of Plenty's all-you-can-eat plated breakfast, available Wednesday to Friday; a perfect excuse to start the day by the beach.
Plenty has also become a hub for community events, recently hosting the Amazons Australia, an all-women's adventure race.
Whether you're planning a wedding, celebrating a milestone or simply looking for a memorable meal by the sea, Plenty offers the perfect setting. With a stunning beachfront location and a menu full of fresh flavours, it's easy to see why so many celebrations begin, and end, at Plenty.
Tuesday 7th July
Amazons Australia Race Day Two, 5:30am, various locations, Mission Beach
Winter School Holidays Small Worlds Workshop (5+), 10am-11am, Mission Beach Library, Wongaling Beach
Winter School Holidays Air Dry Creations Workshop (6+), 10:30am-11:30am, Innisfail Library, Innisfail
Art from the Heart Acrylic Painting Group, 10am-12:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Pottery Session with Michelle, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Wednesday 8th July
Amazons Australia Race Day Three, 6am, various locations, Mission Beach
Innisfail NAIDOC March, 9:30am, Dave Dunbar Park, Innisfail
Innisfail NAIDOC Fun Day, 9:30am, Warrina Lakes, Innisfail
Pottery Session with Irene, 10am-2pm, Mission Arts Pottery Studio, Mission Beach
Amazons Australia Dinner and Awards Presentation, 6pm, Plenty Restaurant, Mission Beach
Thursday 9th July
Winter School Holidays Build a Bug House Workshop (5+), 10am-11am, Cardwell Library, Cardwell
Winter School Holidays DIY Library Bags & Bookmarks (5+), 10:30am-11:30am, Tully Library, Tully
Oiled Painting Group, 10am-12:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Innisfail Annual Show, 1pm-11pm, Pease Park, Innisfail
Pottery Session with Trudy, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Friday 10th July
Innisfail Annual Show, 1pm-11pm, Pease Park, Innisfail
RAM Recreational Centre’s Monthly Indoor Movie Night, 7pm, 4 Stitt Street, Innisfail
Saturday 11th July
Paradise Run Mission Beach, 6:45am, Seaview Street, Mission Beach
Cardwell parkrun, 7am, Cardwell Foreshore, Cardwell
Sunday 12th July
Cardwell Jetty NAIDOC Market Day, 8am-12pm, Cardwell Foreshore, Cardwell
Monday 13th July
Children’s Art Workshop (Foundational Skills), 3:30pm-5pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Tuesday 14th July
Art from the Heart Acrylic Painting Group, 10am-12:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Pottery Session with Michelle, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Wednesday 15th July
Pottery Session with Justin, 10am-2pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Super Southern School’s Community NAIDOC Celebration, 10am-2pm, Jumbun Community Oval, Murry Upper
Thursday 16th July
QCWA Flying Fish Point Craft Day & Basket Making Workshop, 9am, Girl Guides Hall, CNR Elizabeth and George Streets, Flying Fish Point, Innisfail
Pottery Session with Trudy, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Friday 17th July
Local Inspirations Exhibition Opening Night, 6pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Saturday 18th July
Paradise Run Mission Beach, 6:45am, Seaview Street, Mission Beach
Cardwell parkrun, 7am, Cardwell Foreshore, Cardwell
Innisfail Markets, 8am-1pm, Anzac Memorial Park, Innisfail
Sunday 19th July
Mission Beach Markets, 7am-12pm, Ulysses Park, Mission Beach
Monday 20th July
Cassowary Coast Yarners, 10am-12pm, C4 Community for Coastal & Cassowary Conservation, Mission Beach
Children’s Art Workshop (Foundational Skills), 3:30pm-5pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Tuesday 21st July
Art from the Heart Acrylic Painting Group, 10am-12:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Pottery Session with Michelle, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Cassowary Coast Business Women’s Network Inc. Presents Presentations by Justin Brennan and Anita Laksa, 6:30pm-9pm, Crown Hotel Innisfail, Innisfail
Wednesday 22nd July
Pottery Session with Irene, 10am-2pm, Mission Arts Pottery Studio, Mission Beach
Thursday 23rd July
Pottery Session with Trudy, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Friday 24th July
Tully Show, running across both Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July, Tully Showgrounds
Saturday 25th July
Paradise Run Mission Beach, 6:45am, Seaview Street, Mission Beach
Cardwell parkrun, 7am, Cardwell Foreshore, Cardwell
Cassowary Coast Talent Quest Auditions, 10am, Multipurpose Court at Tully High, Tully
Simo’s Boxing Club Amateur Fight Night, 5pm, Innisfail Shire Hall, Innisfail
Old Boys Day (Innisfail Leprechauns VS Southern Suburbs), TBA, Callendar Park, Innisfail
Sunday 26th July
Cardwell Sportfishing Club Monthly Sausage Sizzle & Presentation Day, 3pm-5:30pm, St Albans Street, Cardwell
Tuesday 28th July
Art from the Heart Acrylic Painting Group, 10am-12:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Pottery Session with Michelle, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Wednesday 29th July
Pottery Session with Justin, 10am-2pm, , Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Left to Right: Cynthia Williamson, Madeleine Beekman, Gita Yelds, Sarah Johnson, Kerry Green and Ingrid Mullings. Photo credit Sian Bantock
Tucked away just off Porter Promenade Street in Mission Beach is the C4 Theatrette where Cinema Paradiso host a monthly niche film club.
The society began in 2013 when a group of film lovers united following a kind donation from a travelling film festival which sparked interest in the club and gave better access to films.
That September, the club debuted their first ever screening, a movie called ‘Mental’ with Toni Colette and Anthony La Pagalia. In the December the group showcased their name sake ‘Cinema Paradiso; a classic 1988 Italian film.
The society prides itself on not showing the latest blockbusters, instead choosing thought provoking films, encouraging conversation and healthy debate amongst its members.
“I think this is necessary when you look at the patrons that come, they like to see something unusual and we’ll go out after the film and have a discussion, which is sometimes very lively,” said founding member Gitta Yelds.
“Everybody has Netflix and SBS on demand, you can see everything in your home, but this gathering is a chance to get together.”
Over the last 13 years the society has showcased more than 175 films from 40 countries across 5 continents.
The Film Club is a not-for-profit organisation and is run by a group of dedicated volunteers. They offer a variety of memberships which is crucial to the continuation of the cinema; Annually it’s $40 for an individual and $80 for a family and just $10 for a one off.
The most recent screening was last Saturday where 30 people watched ‘The Beats’. Set in Scotland in 1994, it’s a coming of age story where two best friends attend an illegal rave in an attempt to shake up their lives.
If you want to get involved, head down to Cinema Paradiso on the 1st Saturday of each month at 7pm.
The Wet Tropics rainforest isn't just old. It is considered one of the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforest systems on Earth.
Some plant families found here have ancestors dating back tens of millions of years, making parts of the Cassowary Coast a living window into ancient Australia.
Walking beneath these giant trees isn't simply a bushwalk. It's a journey through an ecosystem that predates humans by an astonishing margin. Flourish alongside it: cassowarycoasttourism.com.au
Gallery visitor Ingrid Mullings, enjoying Hazel Piedots 'adrift'. Photo credit: Victoria Velton
The Mission Beach Community Arts Centre is currently hosting Threads, a vibrant fibre and textile art exhibition celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and community spirit.
The gallery and shop continue to showcase local and regional artists, offering exhibitions, workshops, pottery studio access, community theatre productions and movie nights, with the centre open daily from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
Threads brings together a diverse group of talented fibre and textile artists from across the Cassowary Coast and beyond, highlighting a wide range of techniques and artistic expression. The exhibition features intricate and high-quality works including embroidery, printing, weaving, silk painting, knitting, crochet, basketry, felting and more.
On display daily until 14th July, the exhibition has been praised for its detail, variety and imagination, with visitors describing the works as “really interesting and delightfully whimsical pieces of art”.
Hats off have been given to the talented fibre and textile artists whose work continues to impress audiences with its creativity and technical skill. The exhibition not only celebrates artistic excellence but also highlights the value of community arts in bringing people together through shared creativity and expression.
Threads remains a testament to the strength of local and regional artists, showcasing the passion and dedication behind each handcrafted piece.
Christine Fittock of Tully Heads with her installation: "It takes many hands to raise a child. Photo supplied
Something significant is happening in Tully. From 10th July, the Tully Masonic Centre becomes home to Tradition, Ritual, Community — an exhibition by Tully Arts and Cultural Precinct Inc. (TA&CP) that brings together 31 artists from seven communities across Far North Queensland. Painting, printmaking, embroidery, weaving, woodwork, photography and installation, the range of work on show reflects the remarkable depth of creative talent that has always existed in this region, quietly waiting for a place to be seen.
The exhibition takes its inspiration from the Tully Masons themselves, whose dedication to community service stretches back a full century, their first ball held in Tully on 1st October 1926. That spirit of gathering, of shared ritual and collective belonging, runs as a thread through every work in the show. Artists from Tully, Cardwell, Innisfail, Murray Upper, Mission Beach, Port Douglas and Townsville have each responded to what tradition and community mean in their own lives and the results are as varied and compelling as the landscapes they come from.
Works include Gulngay Traditional Owner Clarence Kinjun's Birrbu Birrbu — Cross Boomerang, a printmaking exploration of traditional culture and identity; Dian Darmansjah's layered mono prints drawing on memory, place and belonging; Kerry Robertson's contemplative textile forms and Valerie Keenan's installation A geography of belonging, which traces the nostalgic rituals of collecting and gathering.
TA&CP has packed its July calendar with events such as its wonderful book fair. For more information contact TA&CP on 0484 282 888 or tullyprecinct@gmail.com.
Sue and Eseta at Cassowary Blooms Cafe in Tully. Photo credit: Sherie Hensler-Adams
This week's highlighted newspaper reader is Sue Pollard from Tully, who likes to pick up her copy of Cassowary Coast Life from Cassowary Blooms Café each week.
A big thank you to Eseta for having one of our newspaper stands in the café.
Sue and Eseta are both looking gorgeous in their outfits, but every stylish look needs the perfect accessory. This week, it's a copy of Cassowary Coast Life.
So, is it red or read? We think the answer is both.
Pick up your free copy of Cassowary Coast Life from one of our newspaper stands across the region and join the best-dressed locals, because nothing goes better with great style than staying connected to your community.
Saturday’s Main Street takeover is a community favourite. Photo supplied
Silver will shine across Airlie Beach this year as the Great Barrier Reef Festival unveils a special birthday theme to celebrate its 25-year anniversary.
Proudly presented by Cruise Whitsundays, the festival returns from July 31st to August 2nd, with three days of reef-inspired festivities, entertainment and community celebrations marking the milestone occasion.
"Celebrating 25 years is not only a chance to reflect on how far the festival has come, it's also a vote of confidence in where we're headed," said Festival Chair Heather Batrick.
"We're incredibly grateful for the support we've received from both our returning and new sponsors this year.
"Their investment is a testament to the strength of the festival, our incredible volunteers and the community that has championed this event for a quarter of a century.
"Their continued support allows us to keep growing the festival, attract outstanding entertainment, and continue offering so many of our signature events free for everyone to enjoy."
This year will see the return of the community’s favourite events, such as Saturday’s Main Street takeover with the Club Whitsundays Street parade and Revvin’ Reef Car Show, the Tasman Holiday Parks Family Fun Day and of course the spectacular firework presentation that will kick of the whole thing, now sponsored by AirBnB.
Festival-goers can expect an immersive experience across the foreshore, with a large-scale reef art installation made from recycled materials on display in Fairy Tree Park, capturing the essence of the reef’s natural wonder.
Sahn Market director Sarah Valinoti at the Mercer Lane entryway with the market behind her Photo credit: Victoria Velton
Sahn Market returned to Ingham on Saturday 4th July, not seen since November 2025, drawing a large and eager crowd to Mercer Lane as the popular pre-loved fashion pop-up brought renewed energy back into the town’s main street.
The vintage and quality second-hand fashion market transformed the laneway into a bustling hub of activity, with stalls offering clothing, jewellery, flowers and artwork, the set out reminiscent of suitcase rummages.
Organisers said the response from locals exceeded expectations, with strong interest throughout the morning prompting consideration for Sahn Market to become a regular feature on the Ingham events calendar.
Market director Sarah Valinoti said bringing Sahn Market back to her hometown made perfect sense, with the event designed to activate the town centre and support local traders.
“We are technically based in Townsville, but I am an Ingham girl originally and at heart. So it was a no-brainer coming home and doing some markets with everyone. Bringing that energy to Ingham and trying to bring something new to the main street.”
With growing interest from stallholders and shoppers alike, there is now strong consideration for Sahn Market to become a regular fixture in Ingham’s events calendar.
“I'd love it to be, if we get enough kind of interest, I mean we have the people, we have a lot of the Ingham girls coming to Townsville and doing their stalls in Townsville,” said Sarah.
“So, if we can make Ingham a regular thing, that'd be amazing.”
Having celebrated its third anniversary in May, the Sahn Market has built a reputation in Townsville for its curated vintage and pre-loved fashion offering, with Saturday’s pop-up signalling a potential expansion into the Herbert region.
Locals packed Mercer Lane throughout the morning, with organisers hopeful the strong turnout will pave the way for more regular markets and further activation of the town centre.
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes. Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Life Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Life Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2026 Life Publishing Group Ltd.
