Sunrise Beach Lodge

Sunrise Beach Lodge is a truly unique way to experience this magnificent region and all it has to offer in comfort and in style. This absolute beachfront property is just 40klm south of Cairns. Set in the midst of a quaint little fishing village at the mouth of the Mulgrave and Russell River system, still close enough to Cairns but as far away from the “rat race” as you would like to make it.

Isolated and surrounded by two World Heritage listed areas. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and uninhabited Frankland Islands are right at our front door. To the rear are the pristine Wet Tropics Rainforests and rugged mountain ranges of the Russell River National Park.

For the keen angler you have the option of chartering one of our three fully certified charter boats including MV Sanity, an 8.5 m Cairns Custom Craft launched in December 2004, and Karma, a 4.6m Barra Punt purpose-designed for lure and fly fishing in our tropical estuaries and rivers, and manned and operated by our own experienced and qualified crew who will do their utmost to give you your best shot at that “catch of a lifetime” (conditions apply - refer package details below).

Access to Sunrise Beach Lodge is by Self drive, Coach or Limousine to Deeral (there are no roads near the lodge), then transfer to one of our boats for a scenic 15 minute river trip along the beautiful rainforest lined Mulgrave River. You will arrive at Sunrise Beach Lodge within approximately one hour of departing Cairns. For the more adventurous we can arrange a helicopter or seaplane to fly you directly to our front door (conditions apply).

For the more sporting, you can charter our state-of-the-art 43ft Game fishing vessel, New Moon III and fish your way south in comfort.

Sunrise Beach Lodge caters to as little or as much as you would like to do.

The Lodge

Sunrise Beach Lodge is a modern, fully screened, and air-conditioned two storey residence. The two large living areas overlook the spectacular Frankland Islands. You also have the option of booking the entire accommodation for an exclusive getaway or for that special holiday with friends.

There are two large (approx 6 x 3 mtr) Bedrooms, each with own private bathroom and with ocean views. One bedroom is located on the top floor and one on the ground floor. The sleeping configuration of each is 1 x Queen, 1 x Double sofa / bed, 1 x single bunk bed. There is a concertina ‘privacy’ wall that can slide over to separate the large room into two smaller rooms, giving two 3m x 3m rooms.

Click here for more information about Sunrise Beach Lodge.

Activities

Activities available at Sunrise Beach Lodge include:

• Beachcombing
• Beach and river fishing (land based)
• Picnics in special places
• Crabbing
• Bushwalking
• Swimming
• Bird-watching
• River sight seeing cruise along the Mulgrave or Russell rivers
• Open-air “barefoot” dinners

Other optional activities include:

• River cruise – nature and eco tour
• Crocodile spotting
• Exploring by boat the beautiful headlands and secluded beaches
• Exploring the off-shore islands, including snorkelling and diving
• Heavy Tackle Gamefishing
• Light Tackle and Sportfishing
• Popper tossing and jigging for Trevally, Queenfish, etc
• Reef fishing
• Barramundi and estuary fishing
• Photographic, wildlife, and bird-watching tours
• Trips to all the local popular sights such as the Babinda Boulders and Josephine Falls
• Special Interest Groups catered for by expert guides with extensive local and historical knowledge (pre-arranged)

The Fishing!!

Heavy Tackle Fishing: Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island — names that make this region of north-eastern Australia legendary among anglers seeking out their holy grail, the world's largest marlin. No place on Earth offers fishermen a better shot at a 1,000-pound marlin than Cairns, gateway to the blue Pacific off the Great Barrier Reef. Our main heavy tackle season runs mid-September through November (may run a little earlier or later, depending on conditions). While most of the marlin encountered are blacks, large blues also turn up and make their presence felt through to around February. Our state of the art game fishing vessel New Moon III is the ideal platform to achieve this goal along with many other XOS species that inhabit the GBR.

Light Tackle Fishing: While light tackle options are available year round, June and August offers the world's fastest fishing for little black marlin, right along the reef with some good sailfish mixed in just to keep you honest. The vast reef also provides great light-tackle opportunities for target species such as Wahoo, Spanish mackerel, Trevally, Mahi Mahi and Tuna just to name a few. Our close inshore islands shoals and wrecks are home for many of these speedsters and are worthy opponents for sportfishermen on ultra light and light tackle.

Popper Casting and Jigging: Giant Trevally (Caranx ignobilis) or "GT's" as they are universally known are 'pound for pound' one of the toughest fish to catch in the world. Found throughout the Indo Pacific Oceans, the greatest numbers however are found on the bommies and structures of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Not only are they back breakers to land, but they will cut you off in the reef with total disregard for your expensive tackle. It is little wonder that GT's are the ultimate fish to catch and the Japanese angling fraternity in particular rate them more highly than black marlin - now that's saying something! Poppers also account for many other species that make the GBR their home. Jigging is also very productive and spectacular way of fish both the outer reef’s deep drop offs as well as the inshore reefs, shoals and wrecks. With the help and expertise of Bumpa-Bar Tim (Tim Staudinger) we specialise in trips that exclusively target nearly all of the recognized sport fish that inhabit the reefs and surrounding waters.

Fly Fishing, River And Estuary Fishing: For the more experienced (or keen at heart) lure and fly fishing in our magnificent jungle clad rivers and mangrove lined estuaries is the way to go. These sole charter options are tailor made to suit your angling skills and target species. The summer months of December to March see our prime target fish entering spawning mode. They become very active in the warming waters, and barramundi - Australia's number 1 light tackle sports fish - can be caught up to 10 kgs in the tidal reaches. The wet season sees smaller fish to 4 kgs congregating around the many drains and gutters bringing "fresh water" run-off into the river proper. This is also mangrove jack time, and many an angler is left weak kneed and minus a lure following a "jack attack" from one of these little battlers. Other species encountered include flathead, estuary cod and barracuda in the salt, and sooty grunter, tarpon and jungle perch in the sweet water sections. During the cooler months (June-Sept), majestic queenfish up to 10 kilograms patrol the sand bar edges and drop-offs and are an exhilarating catch on surface poppers and fizzers. Giant Trevally also accompany these fish at this time of year.

Sunrise Beach Lodge 4 Day / 3 Night Fisherman’s Delight

Day 1:	8:00 am Depart Cairns, Marlin Marina and fish your way south. Light tackle, GT, and/or Reef Fishing. Arrive Russell Heads 5:00pm for sundown drinks on balcony and BBQ dinner. Overnight at Sunrise Beach Lodge.
Day 2:	Hot buffet breakfast. Guided Estuary Fishing on Russell & Mulgrave River systems. Beach and/or bushwalk, visit freshwater rockpools/waterfall. Dinner. Overnight at Sunrise Beach Lodge
Day 3:	Tropical breakfast. Light tackle, GT, and/or Reef fishing. Arrive back at Sunrise Beach Lodge at 5.00pm for sundown drinks/snacks on the beach. Seafood dinner (including catch of the day). Overnight at Sunrise Beach Lodge.
Day 4:	Tropical breakfast. Depart Sunrise Beach Lodge after morning tea by River Boat. Arrive Deeral Boat Landing for transfer to Cairns by taxi or coach. Arrive Cairns approx 11:30am

$3425 per person for 2 persons (Total = $6850) RETAIL

$2247 per person for 4 persons (Total = $8990) RETAIL

$1855 per person for 6 persons (Total = $11130) RETAIL

• Rates valid 1st April 2006 to 31st March 2009
• Includes 3 days fishing, touring/sightseeing where arranged
• 3 nights share accommodation, and transfers ex Cairns
• Fishing conducted on share charter basis, sole charter is available (price on application)
• All quality tackle provided on a replace if lost broken basis (fly fisherman are encouraged to bring own gear)
• Light refreshments, lunch and transfers provided on full day charters
• Twin share accommodation, single supplement available (price on application)
• Tour departures subject to availability, seasonal conditions apply
• Rates include 10% GST
• Number of days can be amended to suit (conditional upon availability)
• Weather and other conditions apply to package

Terms And Conditions

• General Terms and Conditions apply
• Tour subject to availability, minimum numbers and seasonal conditions.
• All rates quoted are in Australian Dollars and valid until dates shown
• Number of fishing days can be varied, price on application.