Doesn't look like the weather is going to cooperate with a second round at our stopover in Mission Beach, so just the one round at El Arish. El Arish is a small flat 9 hole layout with no Par 5's, situated right beside the Bruce Highway. Tree lined with well look after fairways and views to the ranges make for a pleasant course to play. The back and front nines do not have a lot of variation except for changes in distance. The course was in very good condition with excellent putting surfaces that held well, a few bunkers and a small creek on a couple of holes. The course opens up for a 90 degree dogleg par 4, that if you don't get past the corner, you are blocked out by a large tree. There is a series of par 3's mid nine and then three par 4's to finish the nine. The 3rd is a short dogleg par 4 that presents the challenge of taking on the corner or just a 180m bunt to the corner with a short wedge in. The greens were a good speed but trimmed shorter would be tricky with the slopes and swales.
Good quality course but lacks the variety the second time around.
El Arish Par 64 Scratch 63 Slope 91 4517m. Green Fees $15 Honesty Box.
Had a quick look at Tully GC, which looked a similar layout to El Arish maybe a bit longer.
The other highlight of visiting Mission Beach is see the local Cassowary wander through the caravan park.