Thala Beach Nature Reserve: Luxury accommodation between Cairns and Port Douglas

The Thala Beach Nature Reserve near Port Douglas in Queensland offers luxury rainforest accommodation, private beach access and several unusual experiences.

The Thala Beach Nature Reserve in far north Queensland is one of the best stops on the Cairns to Port Douglas drive. It’s also one of the most attractive luxury hotels in Queensland.

The Thala Beach Nature Reserve in Oak Beach is on a 145 acre coastal property. Accommodation comes in the form of beautifully-kitted out bungalows, spread among the rainforest tracks or perched on top of the headland.

Trip-booster! 8 great day trips from Cairns to power-up your holiday

Kuranda combo package – take the Kuranda Scenic Railway up and the Skyrail cable car down.
Green Island tours with beach time, glass bottom boat and snorkelling. (Or pick a Fitzroy Island trip instead).
Moore Reef day tour – with underwater observatory, snorkelling gear, glass bottom boat & semi-submersible cruises.
Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with snorkelling stops at two excellent spots on the Reef.
Cape Tribulation rainforest day tour – with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural experience and Daintree River crocodile-watching cruise.
Atherton Tableland waterfalls and rainforest tour – including wildlife-spotting and a swim in a volcanic lake.
Outback 4WD tour – visiting Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal rock art and Granite Gorge.

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Thala Beach Nature Reserve: Private beach

The resort has private beach access to both Oak Beach and Pebbly Beach. That said, swimming isn’t recommended between November and May due to marine stingers. There are two freeform swimming pools within the Thala Beach Nature Reserve grounds to compensate for that, however.

The Thala Beach Nature Reserve near Port Douglas in Queensland offers private beach access.

The rainforest setting is a major part of the appeal, and there’s plenty of wildlife to see at Thala Beach. The resort claims that around 120 butterfly species and nearly 200 bird species have been spotted on the property. There are also agile wallabies in the forest, while other native creatures include frogs, sugar gliders, lace monitors, geckos and echidnas.

9 Port Douglas experiences to boost your holiday

Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour – visiting three amazing snorkelling sites on the Outer Reef. This is the one for seeing the very best of the Reef.
Visit Agincourt Reef – with a cruise, underwater observatory and coral viewing in a semi-submersible. This is the best Port Douglas Reef tour for less confident swimmers.
Half-day Low Isles snorkelling tour – ideal for those with less time.
Daintree River wildlife cruise combo – see lots of crocs, then visit the cascades of Mossman Gorge.
Sunset sailing cruise – with welcome drinks and appetisers aboard a luxury catamaran.
Scenic helicopter flight – see the Great Barrier Reef from above.
Go fishing at a barramundi farm – with lunch included.
Aboriginal cultural walk – including bush tucker tasting and traditional hunting techniques.
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas – meet all manner of native Australian animals.

Thala Beach Nature Reserve activities

What really sets the Thala Beach Nature Reserve apart, however, is the activities and experiences. These include guided bird and butterfly walks, or rainforest and garden walks.

More unusual is the coconut odyssey, where the manager of the on-site coconut plantation shows how to husk and open coconuts. He also evangelises about the health benefits of eating coconuts. There are also talks with the Kuku Yalangi people, the local Aboriginal group, that explore Indigenous culture. These experiences are all free for those staying at Thala Beach Nature Reserve. Non-guests can pay a fee to join in.

Given that the luxury accommodation comes with a luxury price tag, that may be the best bet for most. A night at the Thala Beach resort costs from $429. See the resort website for more details.