Thala Beach Nature Reserve

Accommodation: Bungalows are consistently noted for being comfortable, spacious, and well-appointed, offering privacy and a unique treehouse-like experience. Many appreciate the rustic charm and the sense of being immersed in nature with sounds of wildlife around.

Thala Beach is a very pleasant resort. The cabins are situated sensitively in the rain forest and are clean and comfortable. The people who work here are lovely, friendly and knowledgeable about the environment. I really cannot think of anywhere that I have been where such a nice group are runing it. It is though isolated and there is nothing else within safe walking distance. Port Douglas is the nearest town and that is a 15-20 minute journey by road. There is a shuttle minibus operated by Thala but that is only at limited times and, apparently, taxis are unreliable. The shuttle costs AUD16 per person and in each direction. The food menus are very limited in contrast to the drinks list which is impressive. Breakfast has been a particular irritation as, unless you are part of a tour where a buffet is offered, it is a la carte. Mostly based around eggs which not everybody wants there were only two items I could eat. The Muesli comes ready prepared with yoghurt, honey and some fruit added. The quantity is ludicrous and far more than any one person would sensibly eat. The fruit platter is similarly large and so my choice is really one or the other. The offering of toast (at a mere AUD12) is just bizarre. The kitchen toast it for you!!! The one time I had it I was allowed, after a short discussion, to toast my own using the toaster provided for a tour group buffet. No doubt my reputation as a difficult Brit has been strongly re-inforced. Do not even think of asking for your dinner - from a similarly limited menu - not to be infused with garlic. This causes significant delay, made worse by asking for steak to be cooked right through, and it seems that going into the kitchen to speak with the chef is not allowed. This was the one time that relations came close to failing. Wifi is only reliably available in Reception, Bar and Restaurant. It can be obtained in the cabins but it is far from reliable. While some may say you come to Thala to relax we do not all have the luxury of being able to switch off completely. On balance Thala is probably ok for a 2 to 3 day visit. If, however, you do not mind having someone else control what you have for breakfast and are happy with weird fusions of eurocuisine and local ingredients then you will be very happy. I should add that I am not unhappy but why oh why can't chefs leave perfectly good food alone...

Chose TBNR for birds, nature, relaxation and convenience of travel to the Daintree Port Douglas and Julatten. We were not disappointed. Very comfortable accommodation with orange footed megapodes, helmeted friarbirds, black butcherbirds, large billed gerygones and other birds on grounds and seen and heard from verandahs. Buggy always available for steep walks. Crown in jewel was the pond where there is a little kingfisher and a large flock of chestnut breasted mannikins and various doves plus wallabies. Very helpful staff in particular Brett. At dawn and through the morning watch the little kingfisher (2nd smallest in world) fishing in the pond from specially provided chairs situated a respectable distance from the pond. Magic!