Thala Beach Nature Reserve: The ultimate spot to explore two UNESCO World heritage sites side by side

​Overview
          The Thala Beach Nature Reserve is located on 58 hectares along a pristine beachfront and wild jungle.  With two UNEASCO world heritage sites next to this reserve this is a great place for the family to stay while exploring the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.  It’s also just a short 15 minute drive from the lively Port Douglas in Northern Australia.  You will be immersed in nature as soon as you set foot onto the Thala Beach Nature Reserve which provides sweeping views of the coastline and access to two private beaches while still being able to enjoy the gorgeous hotel amenities. 
 

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​Accommodations
83 timber and granite bungalows are distributed throughout the reserve providing four different experiences depending on the type of bungalow you choose. The one-bedroom Jungle Walk or Eucalyptus  Bungalows are situated in the forest while the one bedroom Coral Sea Bungalows are located on the highest point of the peninsula closest to the lodge with breathtaking views of the Coral Sea. We arrived late at night on our first evening and I awoke to my child standing on the veranda happily shouting, “Mama open your eyes you have to see this it is so pretty!”
The Sandpiper Suite which has room for a family includes one bedroom and a living room right next to the beach with magnificent ocean views.
Dining
The Osprey’s Restaurant is situated within the treetops overlooking the Coral Sea and combines panoramic views with outstanding food crafted with local ingredients. They offer a breakfast buffet or a la carte breakfast in the morning, as well as, lunch and dinner. For dinner the reserve offers daily specials in the form of artfully crafted three-course menus highlighting the bounty within the region. They also accommodate the needs of kids with menus catering to kids palettes and high chairs.  The bird bath in a tree next to the restaurant also provided plenty of entertainment for my daughter. She was happy to watch the birds during our meals and was also excited to see what type of bird would say hello next.
There is also a well-stocked Curlews Lounge and Bar for sundowners or drinks on the southern side of the lounge.

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Activities
The reserve offers several complimentary experiences and I highly recommend that the family should experience them all during your stay. The activities range from stargazing to a coconut tour, guided bird watching, garden and nature walks and a talk by the elders from the local aboriginal community. 
The reserve has so many different established walking trails that they provide a trail map. We hiked a few of them and enjoyed them all.
You can also organize a kayak tour or another local tour with the help of their friendly concierges.
 
Amenities
The private-access beach and two freeform rock swimming pools will make every member of the family happy as a clam with hours spent swimming around to cool off from the tropical heat.
Thala Beach Nature Reserve has beach access at the northern end of Oak beach and offers 2 miles of pristine empty beach with beach lounges, hammocks, showers and a beach bar under the palm trees lining the beach.
Tip: It is not advised to swim at any of the Northern Beaches during stinger season which is roughly November to May. Your options for water fun are beaches with stinger nets, or a trip to the Great Barrier Reef where you will wear head to toe Stinger Suites while you enjoy the water. Added benefit, Stinger Suites, also protect you and the kids from the harsh sun.
​​We visited the Reserve in November during Stinger Season and enjoyed the swimming pool immensely after our excursions in the Daintree Rainforest. The main swimming pool located next to the main lodge provides child friendly features such as different level pools, a small waterfall, a secret pirate cove, and a shallow walk-in area perfect for toddlers.

The Reserve also has a gift shop and art gallery, as well as a spa and massage studio. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to visit the spa with all the activities available onside and off side the Reserve. We did visit the gift shop frequently though for a little ice cream splurge.
Environmental sustainability
The lodge is owned by a eco-friendly family that purchased the land with 100 acres of Sugarcane, the family spent the next 30 years planting trees and restoring the damaged ecosystem. It’s a beautiful and inspiring success story of how we can restore the environment and ecosystem of overused land.  The care of the land is visible to everybody lucky enough to witness the returned wildlife and amazing nature.
Guests, upon arrival to the reserve, receive their own water aluminum bottle to keep in order to avoid using plastic bottles.
Tips for Families
Children are welcome from 3 years and up and they are happy to add a rollaway bed for children under 12 years old in most rooms for an additional fee. They provide highchairs and have plenty of games in the lounge area to play with.
Young adventure travelers who love nature and animals will have a blast at the lodge and are encouraged to join the nature activities that are offered.
The lodge is built on a hill and has small footpaths and stairs that may be difficult to navigate with a stroller or people with mobility issues.
The lodge is happy to provide golf cart transportation service between facilities, the beach and the bungalows. Work with your travel consultant to confirm the best bungalows for your family.
Getting There
The resort is located 45 min drive north of the Cairns airport along the stunning Captain Cook Highway, you may need more time depending on how often you stop to enjoy the views along the coast.  We decided to rent a car and self-drive since we knew we would like to explore the Daintree Rainforest as well.
You can also book an airport transfer via shuttle bus or private car from the Cairns International or Domestic airports.
Last but not least, you also have the option to arrive via helicopter as the Reserve has a heli-pad.