Thala Beach Lodge - Queensland - Australia
 |
|
Thala Beach Lodge is a 5 star Australian resort.
Offering luxury accommodation in a glorious beach and rainforest setting close to the natural attractions of Cairns, Port Douglas & the Great Barrier Reef. An Island on the mainland. 45 mins drive north of Cairns and just south of Port Douglas, Thala Beach Lodge is the only beach nature lodge on a private headland between Cairns and Port Douglas.
The perfect location to explore the Great Barrier Reef, private coastal beaches and tropical rainforest. Our individual private bungalows are set overlooking the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, World Heritage listed rainforest and lush tropical beaches.
All accommodation has views either to the beachfront or the rainforest mountains. Time spent relaxing on the timber decked verandahs is well rewarded by sightings of birds, butterflies, possums and sugar gliders. Paths meander through rainforest and connect with private beach frontage.
Thala is the perfect location for exploring the local area with the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, tropical beaches, Port Douglas and Cairns within a short distance from your accommodation. The 145 acres of natural forest is habitat to many rare and unique species of animals and plants and Thala has been designed with minimal impact on the natural environment.
Thala Beach Lodge offers a stunning beachfront setting for wedding ceremonies and receptions and the accommodation is ideal for a honeymoon or wedding guests.
Choose from a range of massage therapy techniques including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports or Reflexology or ask your Therapist to customise your massage treatment with a stress-busting combination of any or all of these techniques!
Features
back to topGuest Lounge and Reading Room
A circular guest lounge and reading room perches high amongst the Popular Gums with a breathtaking view over the Coral Sea. Here small islands float on the horizon, suspended on the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Mountains clad in dense forest, protected by World Heritage Listing, sprawl across the skyline falling to the ocean’s edge.
Forest paths weave amongst wispy eucalyptus with chalk white bark, linking the bungalows with the main building. A path runs on down the headland and onto the sandy beach where delightful hours can be spent discovering secluded coves or just feeling the warm sand between your toes.
Accommodation
The timber deluxe bungalows sit on high poles and look through the tree canopy. All bungalows have views either to the ocean or the forested mountains. Time spent relaxing on the timber decked verandahs is always well rewarded by Cape Tribulations, butterflies or at night, possums and sugar gliders.
We have a wide range of forest types, which provide habitats for some extraordinary birds, plants and animals. All buildings are in the tree canopy, providing a magical and unobtrusive relationship with the natural world surrounding them.
Location
Thala Beach Lodge is located on the northernmost headland of a 2km stretch of untouched coastline. The views from our restaurant are panoramic, taking in the Far North Queensland coast from Double Island to Cape Tribulation, and from the sparkling waters of the Great Barrier Reef to the World Heritage Forests that cover our coastal ranges. Thala is located 10 minutes, by regular shuttle, from Port Douglas. All tours in the Cairns, Port Douglas area pick up at the Lodge. All local specialist tours can be arranged for you after arrival.
Relaxation
Whether strolling under the coconut palms on our private tropical beach or relaxing with cocktails watching the sunset over the coastal ranges, you will be enchanted by your surrounds. Thala Beach Lodge provides a natural and secluded environment for your relaxation, and is a tranquil haven at the end of a hard day’s exploring.
On-Site Experiences
There are a range of onsite experiences for guests at Thala to enjoy – including garden walks, bird-watching and star watching in the evenings, health spa, picnic hampers and yoga, 2 free-form pools.
Facilities
|
No. Rooms83 |
Capacity |
Sustainable/Ethical Credentials
back to topNatural Area Focus
Thala is built atop a private peninsular jutting into the Coral Sea, surrounded by miles of World Heritage coastline and The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park on the seaward side. The private beachfront has been left as nature intended it to be. Thala’s magnificent 145 acre peninsular has six different habitats concentrated into this small area. Ancient littoral rainforest, casuarinas and mangroves lap the beach , while dry eucalypt woodland, gallery forest and coconuts occupy the higher ground and inland creeks. Each habitat attracts its own unique species.
Environmental Sustainability
In the early 1970’s Rob & Oonagh Prettejohn purchased the 145 acre Peninsula. At the time Thala only had 45 acres of the original forest. The balance of 100 acres had been cleared and was a degraded, unsustainable sugar cane plantation. Environmental sensitivities were not as they are today and planning approval at the time would have allowed for a 700 bedroom hotel to be built. Fortunately as locals with a feel for a low impact on this wonderful environment, this was not their style. They planted many thousands of indigenous plants to rehabilitate the area and start its return back to a wild natural state. The lodge is built out of natural sustainable materials in a low impact style that does not set out to dominate the surrounding landscape.
Contribution to Conservation
Thala Beach Lodge is a beacon of hope as mankind progresses from being the demolisher to the conservation advocacy and now to is an environmental benefactor. Over a period of 30 years, Rob and Oonagh have shepherded the re-establishment of complex forests on land that was once cleared and devastated by extractive farming. With the return of the forests, wildlife populations have exploded bringing their pulsating natural energy.
Customer Satisfaction
Rob and Oonagh employ wildlife specialists who are on hand to guide and amaze their guests in their forests, the beaches or along their rocky headland. This is done in a personalised quiet and unregimented fashion: Designed so guests can enjoy the thrill of making their very own discoveries. They might see rare Snub-finned Dolphins, followed soon afterwards by a resident Osprey diving for fish to feed her chicks. Then delicately treading along sandy paths through the magnificent rainforest with its many species of tropical birds and butterflies. Guests are encouraged to add new sightings to the growing lists recorded. Thala has many permanent guests.
Working with Local Communities
Recognising the importance of the spirit of our local indigenous communities Thala invites the elders of the KuKu – Yalanji community to take our guests through the journey of their culture. From healing plants to bush food the elders bring in leaves and seeds for guests to handle and learn their history and importance to the survival of this wonderful community. Musical instruments so important to the rites and rituals of the ancient peoples of this ancient land are a part of Thala’s experience. Thala is always grateful for the community engagement from the KuKu-Yalanji elders for their eager sharing of their ancient knowledge.
Sustainable Awards
back to top
Dining
back to topTransfers and Connections
back to topThere is a shuttle service that departs Thala’s reception area for Port Douglas (only 10 minutes away). All tours in the Cairns, Port Douglas area pick up at the Lodge. All local specialist tours can be arranged for you after arrival.
Airport - The drive from Cairns International and Domestic Airport to Thala Beach Lodge is approximately 45 minutes.
Airport Transfers - Airport Transfers can be organised from Cairns International and Domestic airports where you will be met by our shuttle bus and transported along the scenic coastal drive north of Cairns straight to Thala.
By Car - If arriving by car take the coast road between Cairns and Port Douglas and look for the Thala Beach Lodge signs at Oak Beach. The drive from Cairns to Thala Beach Lodge is approximately 40 minutes.
