Ellis Beach

Ellis Beach is a town in Tropical North Queensland, Australia. It lies within the boundaries of Cairns and Port Douglas. The five kilometre stretch of sand and water is a 30-minute drive to the north of Cairns. Ellis Beach is named after Dick Ellis, a local resident of the beach during that time. He worked for the Department of Main Roads at the time when the Cook Highway was built in the early years of the 1930s. A house was constructed for him at the area where the coffee shop is currently situated. Ellis Beach is the spot where the World Heritage rain forest meets the Great Barrier Reef. Here, people can have a chance to see the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef with Reef Teach, an actual presentation that focuses on this large body of water. 

Not to be outdone by the other beaches in the Cairns area, Ellis Beach provides visitors with its own variety of attractions guaranteed to give its guests a wonderful time. Tourists can indulge in skateboarding at the Cairns Esplanade. It has several ramps that are ideal for budding professional skateboarders and BMX riders. 

Tourists will be amazed at the panoramic sights of the Kuranda Scenic Rail, which will take the visitors 328 metees above sea level passing through ravines and gorges.

Tourists can take a look at the Flecker Botanic Gardens and get to see an amazing display of ferns, orchids and aboriginal plants used by the early aborigines as food and medicine. The garden operates from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm from Mondays to Fridays and 8:30 am to 5:30 pm during the weekends. No entrance fee is charged although donations are very much accepted.

One can enjoy birdwatching at Birdworld Kuranda, which houses the biggest collection of free flying birds in the whole of Australia. Visitors can freely roam around the venue and observe different varieties of birds in their specific habitats. A couple of lakes leading to a waterfall houses common waterbirds like stilts and herons.

Accommodation in Ellis Beach

Accommodation in Ellis Beach consists of Oceanfront Bungalows fully-furnished with air conditioning units, queen size beds, kitchen and bathroom, and a balcony overlooking the Coral Sea. Powered caravan sites and camping areas provide the guests with more affordable accommodation options. The rate of the room ranges from $155 to $205 depending on the type of accommodation.

There is a coffee shop and bar situated near the beach. There is no bus service that ferries tourists to the beach so guests need to have their own car. From the city of Cairns, simply head towards the north going to Buchans Point Beach. At the end of that stretch, guests will find Ellis Beach.