Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef - Australia 2004 - page 296

A LUXURY B&B HIDEAWAY IN THE COUNTRY
Marae Your hostess Andy Crowe has turned her architecturally stunning
timber home, on a rural hillside 15km (9 1 ⁄ 2 miles) north of Port Douglas, into a
glamorous and soothing retreat. The rustic-meets-sleek contemporary bedrooms
have white mosquito nets and smart linens on timber beds, and elegant bath-
rooms. The downstairs room opens onto a plunge pool overlooking the valley.
Wallabies and bandicoots (a kind of small marsupial) feed in the garden, king-
fishers and honeyeaters use the pool, and butterflies are everywhere. You can
enjoy the company of Andy's Jack Russell terrier and an irrepressible cockatoo
called Cactus, laze on the two decks, or wander the rainforest trails of Mossman
Gorge just a few miles away.
Lot 1, Chook's Ridge, Shannonvale (P.O. Box 133, Port Douglas, QLD 4871). & 07/4098 4900. Fax 07/4098
4099. www.marae.com.au. 3 bedrooms (2 with shower only). From A$140 (US$91) double. Minimum 2-night
stay. Rates include full breakfast. MC, V. From Port Douglas take Captain Cook Hwy. toward Mossman for
10km (6 1 ⁄ 4 miles), turn left onto Mt. Molloy turnoff for 1km ( 1 ⁄ 2 mile), then right onto Ponzo Rd. for 2km (1 1 ⁄ 4
miles); Chook's Ridge is on your left. You need your own transport. Covered parking. Pets by arrangement.
No children under 13 permitted. Amenities: Outdoor pool; nearby golf course; tour desk; use of laundry; non-
smoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer.
RAINFOREST HIDEAWAYS
Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa Relax in the hammock on
your veranda and listen to the waters of the Mossman River gushing through the
rainforest. Stroll down for a swim—no crocs here. Despite its popularity and rel-
atively large size, this luxury resort tucked away at the edge of cane fields still
exudes a restful feeling. Treehouses are scattered through the rainforest and gar-
dens; the 6 Riverhouses overlook the river frontage, and some have Jacuzzis.
Each has timber floors, attractive furnishings, bathrobes, a CD player—but no
TV—and a double hammock to string up. The resort's most recent renovation
was completed in September 2001, and included the addition of the Healing
Waters Day Spa, where I had the best facial of my life. Last year, the Spa was
tripled in size (no doubt word has got out how good it is), and the central lodge
and Treehouse Restaurant were given a fresh, contemporary new look. Guided
nature walks, mountain bikes, and nature slide shows are free, and there is a
daily activities program. A car is necessary to access Mossman Gorge's lovely
walking trails across the river.
7km (4 1 ⁄ 2 miles) west of Mossman; 27km (17 miles) from Port Douglas (c/o P&O Australian Resorts, G.P.O. Box
478, Sydney, NSW 2001). & 1800/737 678 in Australia, 800/225-9849 in the U.S. and Canada, 020/7805
3875 in the U.K., 02/9277 5050 (Sydney reservations office), or 07/4098 1666 (lodge). Fax [phone] (Syd-
ney reservations office), or 07/4098 1983 (lodge). www.poresorts.com. 50 units. A$660-A$790
(US$429-US$514) double. Extra person A$150 (US$98). Rates include continental breakfast and 4-course
dinner. Ask about packages. AE, DC, MC, V. Free morning and afternoon shuttle from Port Douglas. Sun Palm
Express Coaches does transfers from Port Douglas for A$25 (US$16), the northern beaches for A$30 (US$20),
or Cairns airport for A$40 (US$26) one-way. Town-car transfers A$135 (US$88) per car one-way from Cairns
city or airport; stretch limousine transfers A$180 (US$117). Take Captain Cook Hwy. to Mossman, where it
becomes the Mossman-Daintree Rd.; follow approx. 3.5km (2 1 ⁄ 4 miles) past Mossman and turn left onto Fin-
layvale Rd. at the small white-on-blue Silky Oaks sign. No children under 10. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; out-
door pool; day/night tennis court; spa; tour desk; coin-op laundry; laundry service. In room: A/C, ceiling fans,
minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
Thala Beach Lodge “Where are the walls?” may be your first question
on arriving at this Balinese-style luxury hideaway in the rainforest outside Port
Douglas. The lodge's reception area and lobby are open, to stunning effect. And
from the elevated restaurant the impact is even greater, with sweeping views
from the Daintree to Cape Grafton, south of Cairns. Thala (pronounced Ta - la)