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Thala Beach Nature Reserve

Thala Beach Nature Reserve

Port Douglas, Australia

Thala Beach Nature Reserve

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Responsible Choice

We've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.

This private family-owned property is placed between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest in tropical North Queensland, and prides itself on being an eco-friendly reserve.

It’s run by a team of dedicated locals who not only know this corner of Australia but are also passionate about it. Native materials used throughout blend seamlessly with the exotic natural surroundings of eucalyptus trees, shimmering seas and long stretches of white sand.

OUR OPINION:

We feel that Thala is a unique property in a private location, perfectly placed to explore the Great Barrier Reef and other fantastic nearby attractions. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the wildlife of the rainforest, but within easy reach of Port Douglas.

OUR RATING: Deluxe

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Photos of Thala Beach Nature Reserve

  • Eucalypt Bungalow, Thala Beach
    Eucalypt Bungalow, Thala Beach
  • Thala Beach Lodge, Port Douglas
    Thala Beach Lodge, Port Douglas
  • Thala Beach Lodge, Port Douglas
    Thala Beach Lodge, Port Douglas
  • Thala Beach Lodge, Port Douglas
    Thala Beach Lodge, Port Douglas
  • Oak Beach, Thala Beach Nature Reserve
    Oak Beach, Thala Beach Nature Reserve
  • Thala Beach Nature Reserve, Port Douglas
    Thala Beach Nature Reserve, Port Douglas
  • Thala Beach Lodge, Port Douglas
    Thala Beach Lodge, Port Douglas
  • Coral Sea bungalow, Thala Beach Lodge
    Coral Sea bungalow, Thala Beach Lodge
  • Thala Beach Lodge, Port Douglas
    Thala Beach Lodge, Port Douglas

Rooms

There are four types of accommodation located on the property’s 145 acres of private land, all of which have access to a private beach. Guests have a choice between a jungle walk bungalow and a eucalypt bungalow, both of which are located among the woodland of the tropical forest, or a coral sea bungalow with idyllic views across the headland. Alternatively, there’s the Sandpiper Suite which has clifftop views across the Coral Sea. The cabins are well spaced out to ensure privacy throughout the reserve, and all come with air conditioning and balconies. All rooms sleep two people.

Location

Thala nestles between two World Heritage Sites: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The property is easily reached from Port Douglas via a shuttle service that takes ten minutes, and is approached along a drive through a coconut plantation. Any guests wishing to do tours are picked up en route from Thala.

Food and drink

Thala’s only restaurant, Osprey’s, is set among the trees and looks out onto the Coral Sea. Here you can dine on modern Australian cuisine made from seasonal ingredients whilst listening to the sounds of the rainforest. The restaurant is open for all meals, coffee and sundowners. If you are looking for something a little different, then hampers can also be ordered from the kitchen to take down onto the beach. On the beach you’ll also find Beach Shack which is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a cocktail as the sun goes down.

Environmental and social responsibility

Thala combines revegetation efforts with reducing landfill by eliminating plastic bottles, straws, and reusable coffee cups, providing guests with stainless steel water bottles to refill throughout their stay and onward travels. Emphasizing local ingredients, on-site wastewater treatment, indigenous culture, and eco-friendly practices, Thala has earned the Advanced Eco Tourism accreditation from Eco Tourism Australia and membership in the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World programme, also highlighted in the Nat Geo Sustainable Impact Report for protecting cultural heritage.

Tour ideas in Port Douglas

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Thala Beach Nature Reserve as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.

    • Reef & Rainforest Helicopter Flight
      Cape Tribulation

      Reef & Rainforest Helicopter Flight

      Reef & Rainforest Helicopter Flight

      This scenic helicopter flight encompasses two of the highlights the Tropical North Queensland region has to offer, the Reef and Rainforest.

      View details

    Port Douglas and nearby places