Thala Beach Nature Reserve offers true eco-conscious serenity alongside views of the rainforest and ocean from your bed.
Location: Perched atop a private headland between Cairns and Port Douglas, Thala Beach Nature Reserve spans 58 hectares of lush tropical forest lining a pristine, exclusive beach. Just a 45-minute drive north of Cairns Airport and 15 minutes south of Port Douglas, it offers quick access to both Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
Rooms: Seventy-five timber bungalows and suites are set among the treetops, on stilts that honour the landscape. Options include Coral Sea, Eucalypt and Jungle Walk bungalows, as well as the elevated Sandpiper, Birdwing, and Kingfisher Suites, which all feature private balconies, air-conditioning and a serene sense of seclusion.
Amenities: Dining takes centre stage at Osprey’s treetop restaurant, where tropical flavours meet sweeping panoramic views. Guests can unwind across two rock pools, relax in rainforest lounges, browse the boutique or enjoy a massage, all while surrounded by the calm energy of nature.
Activities: Your stay blends tranquillity with discovery, enjoy complimentary guided wildlife and bird-watching walks, beach exploration, and stargazing in a dedicated observatory. For the adventurous, kayaking, reef and rainforest tours can be easily arranged.
Sustainability: Once a degraded sugar-cane estate, Thala was transformed by its owners into an eco-sanctuary. Awarded advanced eco-certification and recognition from National Geographic, it now shelters six distinct habitats, thriving wildlife, including wallabies, butterflies and birds, and intentional conservation through revegetation, habitat restoration, and the use of sustainable materials.
Best places to stay in Cairns and Port Douglas
Cairns and Port Douglas Trip Inspiration
When to visit Australia
Find out the best time to visit Australia with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
A month of extremely hot weather. Celebrate summer on Sydney’s beaches, explore the Great Barrier Reef, or enjoy the Australian Open in Melbourne. Tasmania is also perfect for hiking in mild weather.
February
Very hot, but lively in the southern parts of the country. Head to South Australia for the Adelaide Fringe Festival or Western Australia for the Perth Fringe Festival. Visit Kangaroo Island for wildlife and dramatic coastlines, or dive Ningaloo Reef for manta rays. Northern end is humid and wet.
March
Things start to cool down in the Southeast: enjoy Melbourne’s food and wine scene, hike the Blue Mountains. Alternatively, head north to spot wildlife in Kakadu as the Wet Season eases.
April
Visit Uluru for clear desert skies, explore Margaret River’s wineries, or catch whale sharks at Ningaloo. Tasmania’s wilderness is beautiful in autumn colours.
May
Ideal for the Red Centre and Top End: cooler and drier. Explore Kakadu and Litchfield. Southern states are great for city breaks in Sydney or Melbourne.
June
Ski season starts in the Snowy Mountains. Queensland offers sunny escapes, from the Whitsundays to the Daintree. Western Australia’s Kimberley region is at its best.
July
Perfect time for whale watching along the east coast. Explore Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, or cruise the Kimberley’s remote gorges and waterfalls.
August
Northern Australia is dry and sunny: visit Darwin’s Mindil Markets, Kakadu, and Arnhem Land. Enjoy stargazing at Uluru or explore the Great Barrier Reef islands.
September
Spring blooms in Western Australia’s wildflower regions. Visit Perth, Rottnest Island, or Margaret River. Sydney warms up, perfect for harbour cruises and coastal walks
October
Great time for Sydney’s Sculpture by the Sea and whale watching. Visit Tasmania’s wilderness, or explore Melbourne and the nearby Yarra Valley wineries.
November
Early summer brings perfect conditions for the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef. Explore the Great Ocean Road or enjoy wine regions like Barossa Valley.
December
Celebrate Christmas on the beach in Sydney, Perth, or Adelaide. Watch the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Catch the Ashes cricket tournament in either Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, or Sydney. Tasmania offers hiking, while tropical Queensland is lush and vibrant.
Speak to a Australia expert today
and start planning your tailor-made holiday

Alistair
