Thala Beach Nature Reserve

Located on a private headland between Cairns and Port Douglas, Thala Beach Nature Reserve is an eco-friendly lodge sitting within 58 acres of native forest. The idea behind the lodge was to create a place that exists in harmony with its surroundings rather than trying to dominate them.

84 bungalows are dotted throughout the forest canopy, providing guests with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in some of Australia’s most beautiful natural scenery. With smart timber finishes and furnishings, bungalows are spacious and homely, and feature private balconies from where you can gaze out across the eucalyptus trees. The Coral Sea and Sandpiper bungalows look out over the sparkling waters of the ocean, so keep your eyes peeled for Bryde’s whales or a pod of Australian snub fin dolphins

Sit down for a meal at Osprey’s Restaurant and enjoy contemporary Australian cuisine alongside panoramic views towards Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink at Curlews Lounge and watch as the sky changes colour, birds flitting through the treetops. You can also tuck into a delicious picnic hamper on the decking of your bungalow, or enjoy it anywhere on the grounds of the lodge.

There is no better tonic for aching muscles after your island adventures than a session at the spa. The studio provides a myriad of treatments to ensure you leave feeling rejuvenated, refreshed and calm, and there are also two freeform swimming pools with their own waterfalls.