Very leisurely start, breakfast at the Greek restaurant sitting outside watching the world go by.

Heading for mission beach we think it will be more interesting to take a little detour up into the hills. The road was extremely narrow and wound steeply up the hill side through the rain forest.
At the top beautiful views down over the valley to the sea shore. The road soon changes to gravel then mud fortunately dry. We follow the track along not a clue where we are the Gps gave up long ago.  

 There hasn't been a sign for miles. Oh forgot to add we were already on reserve as didn't fill up this morning. The road carries on up and down steep climbs with blind bends at the top seemed to become the norm. We passed black parrots who squawked off in fright and a kangaroo who thought it would be safer to cut across in front of us fortunately it was travelling fast. Cattle were grazing everywhere we watch a pair of bulls squaring up to one another. We go through Hidden valley and Mount fox a cinder cone volcano still the trail continues. Eventually we get back on the main road only a few miles further up than we started at Ingham. Tom enjoyed himself first proper outback track. The rest of the way is a fairly fast road with lots of passing places through the sugar cane. Could not see much of the beaches as most lay of the road down dusty tracks. However you get a lovely view of hinchbrook Island, you can get a ferry across to if you have time lots of beaches and hiking paths. 
 
We arrive at Mission Beach late afternoon find the Eco Village which is almost out of town but is on the beach sort of. They tell us the restaurant is closed which is a bummer as sometimes actually most days you don't want to get back on the bike. After a bit of discussion they upgrade us to a bigger room and tell us where to go for dinner.
Our little bungalow is lovely sleeps 5 has a kitchen area and lounge plus a balcony / terrace to sit out on. All this is surrounded by tropical rain forest lush palms and ferns orchids hanging from the trees seem a shame to rush tomorrow.

It was explained that we can walk along the beach until we get to the town about 1km bit sceptical about the distance we give a go. The beach was amazing huge expanse of sand as the tide was out. Palm trees swayed in the wind the moon was just rising through the clouds. We walked along until we found some coloured lights flashing and guessed this was the town. Hardly a soul around nothing appeared open either. Always a bar open so we stopped for a drink. As luck would have it the fish bar also served food. Pretty good Asia noodle salad.
Walk back again along the beach waves lapping on the sand no need for a jacket as was still warm even at 9pm. Bats buzzed us as we walked along all sorts of things squawked from the under growth. As we walked up the path toads hopped out of our way.

Life cannot get much better than today.