The five-kilometre strip of Ellis Beach which is located 20 kilometres North of Cairns on the Captain Cook Highway is one of our favourite for a reason. If you are looking for a really nice but less crowded beach with all the amenities it is the place where you want to be. :)
Ellis Beach was named after Dick Ellis, who at the time resided at this beach. He was a shot firer for the Queensland Department of Main Roads - presumably at the time the Cook Highway was constructed in the early 1930s. He lost a hand and the state government constructed a house for him at the beach now known as Ellis Beach on the spot where the café now stands. This was about 1940 and Dick Ellis died in 1960. There are a number of mango trees at Ellis Beach, which it is believed were tended by Mr Ellis.
The cache can be reached with a short, 320m walk on the beach to the North if you park your car in the upper car park (S 16° 43.305 E 145° 38.530). If you want to do more walking and fully enjoy the area you can use the lower car park (S 16° 43.443 E 145° 38.658) as well. Here you will find BBQ stations, lifesavers and a stinger net, bars and toilets (these are on the other side of the road though).
The container is a 1.2-litre plastic Sistema box so bring your swaps and travel bugs with you there is plenty of space for them. :) Please be aware of muggle activity in the area which is mostly low but you can meet folks taking the dog for a walk in the arvo.
Dry weather and happy hunting!