Picture waking up surrounded by the lush green foliage of a tropical rainforest, listening to the harmonious morning songs from a choir of birds, and not even having to leave the comfort of your own luxury treehouse to do so.
You turn over in your crisp, clean bed sheets, soaking up the reality that today, your one task is to sink into the goodness of nature and just relax.
Nestled in the depths of the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, earth’s most ancient lowland tropical rainforest, the Daintree Ecolodge is a piece of paradise that offers a place to reconnect with nature in the most luxurious and yet, eco-minded way possible.
Photos Kira & David Simpson
Tropical North Daintree Ecolodge is redefining ecotourism.
Daintree Ecolodge is positioned between not one but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There aren’t many other places on earth that can boast this. where you can so wholly satisfy your desires to be immersed in complete serene and natural beauty.
This is where Mother Nature’s most magnificent displays of land and sea merge.
You have the underwater treasure of the Great Barrier Reef off the coast, and the crowning jewel of Australia’s tropics, the Daintree National Park, enveloping your entire stay at this little oasis.
With an onsite lagoon, swimming pool, fine dining restaurant and bar, a Wellness Day Spa and 15 private treehouse lodges, Daintree Ecolodge hasn’t shortchanged on any of the details.
Each treehouse lodge is tucked away in its own corner of paradise, allowing you to maintain your privacy from the other lodges (you’re welcome, honeymooners!). They’ve been specifically designed for minimal impact on the surrounding rainforest, so you truly feel like you are at one with nature rather than apart from it. And yet, none of this takes away from the boutique and luxurious feeling.
If these weren’t enough to indulge your senses, the picturesque onsite waterfall and nature walks might be the final tipping point for you to pack your bags and catch a flight to Cairns tomorrow.
A Truly Green Experience
Just because you are located within a pristine World Heritage-listed tropical rainforest, does not, by default, make you an eco-friendly destination. With such a blessed location comes great responsibility.
The very core of Daintree Ecolodge is built on a foundation of sustainable principles. They’re a carbon-neutral operation, and every effort is made to put the needs of the rainforest and community first.
“At Daintree Ecolodge we believe in indulgence with a conscience. We want our guests to experience true luxury without having a negative effect on the natural environment so that places like the Daintree Rainforest are here for future generations to come.”
They’re committed to sourcing local, organic and seasonal foods (some from their own veggie patch and chickens), which means their menu may change daily. Julaymba head chef is passionate about sustainability and nose to tail eating meaning less waste for the environment and more unique and exploratory dishes to take your taste buds on a culinary adventure of their own. The open planned restaurant overlooks the lagoon, providing a relaxing and nature filled dining experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the scents and senses of the surrounds.
During your stay, you’ll feel like you’re getting the full Tarzan and Jane experience minus the loincloth and the whole part where you actually have to rough it. Because let’s be honest, isn’t this how most of us who have the intention to relax and unwind, prefer to holiday?
How To Get There
Daintree Ecolodge is a 90-minute drive north of Cairns. Private transfers can be arranged.
Best Time To Travel
The drier months from May through to October is preferred by most travelers due to the lower humidity. Day temperatures are still warm but the nights tend to cool off.
Typical of far north Queensland, the hotter months of December to March bring with them a deluge of rain. The days are hot and humid, but you will be rewarded with fewer crowds and waterfalls generally gushing at capacity.
Daintree Ecolodge is closed for business from February through to mid-March.
Where The Rainforest Meets The Sea
The pristine coastal region of the Daintree National Park is the only place on earth where two World Heritage-listed areas sit side by side. The Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. It’s a rare combination of white sandy beaches and coral reef, set alongside a canopy of ancient trees. No trip to the northeast coast of Queensland would be complete without exploring the Daintree and Cape Tribulation so here are a few must-see places worth extending your stay for.
Get up close to one of the world’s most ancient predators on a river cruise with the Daintree River Cruise Centre, who is Eco-Tourism Accredited with tours designed by Aboriginal Tourism Australia. For avian enthusiasts expect to see diverse bird life with the Papuan Frogmouth, Azure Kingfisher, and the Great Billed Heron.
The Daintree Dreaming Day Tour is a cultural journey taking you from coast to rainforest experiencing the natural beauty and ancient culture. Experience a Welcome To Country smoking ceremony, a guided tour through the lush rainforest searching for bushtucker, finishing up with a refreshing swim in the clear cool waters of Mossman Gorge.
Lonely Planet declared them the ‘most scenic ice-cream company ever!” Nestled amid 22 acres of old world rainforest, the Daintree Ice-cream Co is home to a tropical fruit orchid that provides the ice-creamery with its seasonal produce to create their delicious dairy-free treats. The property is also an International Humane Society Land Heritage Trust wildlife sanctuary.
Cape Tribulation Walking Tracks
With more than a dozen stunning self-guided walking tracking spanning the coast to the rainforest, you will need to pack your walking shoes! The walks range from easy, 10 minute strolls to half-day hikes through the heart of the Daintree. Destination Daintree has a guide you can download here.
