Set on over 140 acres of native forest and boasting a private beach, Thala Beach Nature Reserve is an Eco-friendly wildlife retreat. This secluded sanctuary is nestled on a coastal headland and offers magnificent views of the sparkling Coral Sea.
Thala Beach Nature Reserve is located on a private headland between Cairns and Port Douglas, 45 minutes drive from Cairns City Centre and within 10 minutes’ drive of Port Douglas.
Deluxe eco accommodation options are sensitively positioned amongst the resort’s 145 acre property.
These boutique timber bungalows offer ocean, mountain or forest views. Guests can relax on their private balcony and enjoy the native birds and wildlife. All rooms are air-conditioned and offer a bathtub, a refrigerator, and a minibar.
The property features an organic coconut plantation, and natural swimming pools formed by granite boulders and waterfalls. Free guided nature tours are available and include tree planting, stargazing at an outdoor observatory, beach discovery, wildlife walks and bird-watching tours.
Experience the unique woodland forest from Thala’s Jungle Walk Bungalows.
Located within the forest, Jungle Walk Bungalows combine comfort with the deep green, earthy beauty of the jungle…
Thala’s Eucalypt Bungalows allow you to intimately experience the unique tropical forest in supreme comfort and privacy.
Eucalypt Bungalows are individually positioned and border Thala’s pathways as they gently rise up the headland through the lush Eucalypt forest…
Coral Sea Bungalows are located on the highest ridge of Thala’s private headland, with views of the Coral Sea all the way to the horizon, framed by the native Australian forest canopy.
Unobtrusively nestled into the natural landscape, wildlife viewing opportunities are maximised from the privacy and comfort of your elevated verandah.
Perched on the southern most point of Thala’s private headland and surrounded by nature, the Sandpiper Suite is the ultimate in setting, romance and privacy.
With a vista that stretches from the dunes to white sandy beaches and the sparkling Coral Sea, the views from Sandpiper Suite extend out across the sea to a cluster of small islands and a perfectly unbroken horizon…
Thala’s Nature Reserve supports many interesting and rare habitats with a constantly changing kaleidoscope of natural wonders, making the experience very rewarding for naturalists and wildlife photographers. Our highlyknowledgeable Rangers and Guides are here to show you Thala’s many wildlife and nature secrets. (free for houseguests, day of operation varies week-to-week)
The Thala night sky is free from light pollution and filled with millions of stars. Surrounded by sounds of the rainforest & ocean – enjoy an introduction to the beautiful Southern Constellations from an experienced & passionate guide.
View many fascinating stars & planets using telescopes and binoculars at the unique outdoor observatory.
On Australia’s only coconut tour, not only do you get to drink & eat from the very young green coconut to the little known ‘Coconut Apple’ – you will also learn the truth about the health benefits of coconuts.
The ‘Tree Of Life’ has astonishing advantages from helping to reduce body fat and lower cholesterol, to building the immune system. A tour that helps you lose weight without exercising?!
You will be guided through 145 acres of a variety of native flora by Brett and his enthusiastic team.
They delight in sharing their extensive knowledge and passion for the environment. Amongst rare Littoral rainforest clinging to the sandy dunes and the soft shade of eucalypts you will enjoy the scamper of native fauna. We have so many exciting plants and animals at Thala.
David is our bird and butterfly expert and you will be thrilled at the colour and variety of the species to be found at Thala. An early start to hear the first chorus of Thala’s birds in full song is a wonderful way to welcome a new day.
We also have local experts who can take you for full day birding expeditions through a wide variety of habitats. Pick up a Bird Sighting Calendar from the Adventure desk and see if you can add to the extensive number of varieties spotted so far.
Elders from our local aboriginal community, the Kuku Yalangi people, come and share their stories as passed on from previous generations including the history of their ancient cultural traditions.
You will enjoy seeing and learning the value of bush tucker food, the knowledge of which has been nurtured since the age of the hunter-gatherer. The haunting rhythms of the traditional Didgeridoo is being incorporated into many forms of contemporary music, here it will take you back to the beginnings of the aboriginal Dreamtime.
Oak Beach consists of approximately 2kms of pristine sand lined with coconut palms and sheoak trees. Thala Beach Nature Reserve occupies the forest-clad headland at the northern end of this beach. All guests can enjoy this private-access beach.
These experiences are available for our guests at an additional fee. Please contact us if you’d like more information.
Our expert guide will take you sea kayaking to his secret places to look for marine turtles, stingrays, dolphins and dugongs.
The reef adjacent to Thala Beach Nature Reserve is like a turtle highway, with so many turtles congregating for feeding and socialising.
Thala’s on-site massage studio has special packages for our guests and provides a range of treatments including massages, facials, body scrubs and wraps.
There are many very exciting tours and activities that we recommend ranging from snorkeling on The Great Barrier Reef, safaris into the rainforest to exploring the outback and Tableland region.
Contact us for recommendations and more information about tours departing from Thala.
Thala Beach Nature Reserve, located between Cairns and Port Douglas in Queensland, Australia, is awarded the highest Ecotourism accreditation for maximising informative & meaningful experiences, whilst enhancing the local environment. The Thala Experience adheres to global principals of Ecotourism.
After ten consecutive years meeting the strict criteria for Advanced Ecotourism status, in 2017 Thala was awarded Green Travel Leader status with Ecotourism Australia.
In April 2018, in recognition of Thala’s substantial credentials in offering deluxe eco-designed accommodation while minimising environmental impact, the beachfront eco lodge was handpicked for membership of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World after successfully undergoing a rigorous vetting process. The standards for inclusion are based on four pillars of sustainable tourism:
National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World is a collection of handpicked lodges that invite guests to experience the world’s most treasured places while helping to protect them for generations to come. Each lodge has made the choice to tread lightly, to celebrate nature rather than conquer it, to support cultural heritage, and to engage with local communities. From remarkable architecture to fine cuisine, National Geographic lodges are inspired by and complement their surroundings. The experience they offer is intimate and extraordinary, connecting guests with their destination in an authentic and meaningful way.
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:
Each habitat attracts its own unique wildlife species.
