Inside Mission Beach Visitor information Centre

A warm welcome awaits at the Mission Beach Visitor Information Centre – pictured Tasy Richards, Patrick Bluett, Michelle Lloyd, and Bernice Downing. Photo credit: Helen Cook

‍

By Helen Cook

‍

Just as the annual migration of grey nomads begins heading south and the school holidays bring families into local campgrounds and beachside accommodation, the Mission Beach Visitor Information Centre is settling into its new home in the heart of the village.

‍

Cassowary Coast Tourism relocated the centre from the C4 complex in July to the Village Green – putting its staff and more than 20 volunteers right in the middle of the action.

With school holidays now upon us Executive Officer Patrick Lewis said the seasonal changing of the guard among visitors was also underway.

‍

“The rule of thumb for the Tropics is the migration south to north for our ‘winter travellers’ starts after Mother’s Day, and once Father’s Day has concluded, they tend to head south again,” he said, adding that the footy finals were also a drawcard home.

And then come the families.

‍

“For the school holidays, we generally see the vast majority of visitation from within that 250-kilometre drive market; from Cairns, the Tablelands and Townsville.”

Walking through the door of the local Visitor Information Centre offers something an online search can’t always provide – a conversation with a local who knows what’s happening now, what’s newly opened and where visitors might find something they weren’t even looking for.

‍

The move into the village has already made a difference. Patrick said foot traffic and retail sales had increased significantly, with local businesses also reporting more visitors lingering around the village hub.

‍

Behind the new shopfront is an important local resource – the team of more than 20 volunteers who, alongside staff, keep the accredited centre operating seven days a week.

‍

Tourism Manager Michelle Lloyd describes them as the region’s “ambassadors”.

“They’re often the first person a visitor may meet when they come to our destination,” she said.

‍

Volunteers provide everything from local advice and maps to tour bookings and ticketing, drawing on their own knowledge of the Cassowary Coast. They also regularly get out and experience attractions themselves, so they know what’s new and can pass that knowledge on.

‍

For volunteer Tasy Richards, who moved to the region from south-west Western Australia, says she has always been keen to volunteer.

“Volunteering is a way that you can pursue your passion,” she said. “And just meeting different people from all over the place – learning all about where they’re from and what they’re doing.”

‍

A keen bushwalker, Tasy regularly sends visitors out to explore local favourites including Lacey Creek, the Cutten Brothers Walking Track and Kennedy Walking Track.

Another volunteer, Bernice Downing, a Mission Beach resident of 16 years, has an equally straightforward reason for volunteering: “I love it here because of the people, locals and visitors.”

‍

Cassowary Coast Tourism is always looking for new volunteers to join the team and welcomes locals who enjoy meeting people and sharing their knowledge of the region.

‍

And there’s another reason for locals and visitors to stop by: Cassowary Coast LIFE is available outside the centre 24 hours a day – so even when the volunteers have gone home, you can still pick up your local read.  

‍

The Mission Beach Visitor Information Centre can be found at Shop 5, The Homestead, Porter Promenade, is open from 9am to 4pm, seven days a week, and can be contacted on (07) 4068 7099.