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A Winning Destination: Mission Beach

Places We Go Team | August 16, 2013 | 3:53 pm | Comment

Exploring Mission Beach, Queensland
Ready to explore Mission Beach with this Subaru Forester!

Ann Gurney was the lucky winner of our 2013 Subaru Choose Your Own Driving Adventure competition! Not long home from Mission Beach, Ann shares her experience and a few holiday pics with us…

Ann’s Experiences in Mission Beach

Ever wondered who wins travel competitions? Well, now I can say I have!

I was watching Places We Go on Channel 10 one Sunday afternoon and was inspired to enter the viewer competition. A month or so later, Jen Adams rang me out of the blue and asked: “Do you enjoy holidays?”

To my sheer delight, Jen went on to tell me I’d won! I chose the 7-night holiday in Mission Beach, Queensland and Jen reeled off the prize to me… Return flights for two, accommodation and daily breakfast at Castaways Resort and Spa, the loan of a Subaru Forester, an Antler luggage set plus a $500 Patagonia voucher/

Pinch me, I’m dreaming. I got off the phone and did a happy dance around the kitchen!

I decided to take my beautiful mum Lorraine for a special holiday to celebrate our birthdays.

So we packed our new suitcases, boarded our Virgin flight and made like locals at Mission Beach for a week, escaping Melbourne’s wintry weather to enjoy a balmy 27 degrees every day.

And our resort location was amazing, located right on the beach overlooking Dunk Island.

We had a ball. Imagine our surprise when we checked in at Castaways Resort and were upgraded to the penthouse! The management and staff were incredibly helpful and really made us feel like we were a part of the family. Nothing was too much trouble.

Cairns Subaru loaned us their latest Forester 4WD to explore Mission Beach in comfort and style. It was such an easy vehicle to drive and so incredibly economical that I didn’t want to give it back!

Mum and I drove to Lacey Creek, which flows through Djiru National Park, with a yummy gourmet picnic hamper packed by the resort chefs. We strolled a rainforest track and watched the colourful Ulysses butterflies dance in the sun.

Another day we sailed out to the reef, where we were excited to see migrating whales! I also snorkelled, not wanting to miss an opportunity to see the beautiful coral and tropical fish. Mum took advantage of the comfort of the glass bottom boat to view the reef from above.

It really was the most magical time – we will never forget it. Thanks to Places We Go and the generosity of Subaru, Castaways Resort and others that contributed to this amazing holiday.

Subaru Forester in Mission Beach, Queensland
Enjoying the benefits of the Subaru Forester sunroof!
Cairns Subaru
Handing over the Forester keys at Cairns Subaru.
Exploring the Mission Beach region
A walk in the rainforest at picturesque Lacey Creek.
Castaways Resort, Mission Beach, Queensland
Happy and relaxed at Castaways Resort.
Castaways Resort team, Mission Beach
Feeling at home with the Castaways Resort team!
Sailing the Great Barrier Reef, Mission Beach
A stunning day out on the Reef.

About Places We Go Team

This article was posted by the team at Places We Go.

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