Silky Oaks Lodge

Renowned as one of Australia’s enduring luxury resorts, Tropical North Queensland hideaway Silky Oaks Lodge reopened in December 2021 following a multimillion-dollar rebuild by the team at Baillie Lodges, bringing their globally lauded style and sensitivity to a genuinely iconic lodge and location in the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest.

Silky Oaks Lodge offers guests a stylish escape in the cool calm of the Daintree Rainforest. Set above the gently flowing Mossman River and among the leafy canopy, the airy, open spaces of the main lodge envelope guests in the sights and sounds of an extraordinary natural theatre.

The new-look main lodge is open to the sights and sounds of the rainforest. A reimagined reception area flows to an expansive lounge, contemporary bar and the Jungle Perch lounging area which extends into the forest canopy. Nearby, the private Kubirri Lounge offers a flexible air-conditioned space for quiet reading, private dining and meetings.

Opening out onto the treetops, the tiered Treehouse Restaurant sets the scene for relaxed fine dining against the heady backdrop of the rainforest and the silky soundtrack of the river mixed with a chorus of birdsong. A generous banquette and comfortable dining spaces offer optimum views to the theatre of river and rainforest playing out beyond.

The meandering rock-bordered swimming pool is fringed by lush gardens – it’s the perfect spot to claim a daybed, bring a book and cue the cocktails for some poolside R&R.

Wander around the new Kitchen Garden where the kitchen team cultivates tropical ingredients for the restaurant – ideally with a sundowner in hand. A fully equipped and air conditioned guest gymnasium overlooks the garden, ready for a work-out.

Set among lush rainforest gardens, the Healing Waters Spa is inspired by ancient beliefs that celebrate water in the Mossman River as a renewing and life-giving force. Six treatment rooms offer jungle or river views, including a couples’ room and Vichy shower.

THE HISTORY
Silky Oaks Lodge was first opened in 1985 when hoteliers Moss and Theresa Hunt bought the 80-hectare block. Under the stewardship of P&O Resorts, it rose to set the benchmark for luxury in the Daintree Rainforest. Since taking the reins in 2019, Baillie Lodges has reinvented an icon with a multimillion dollar transformation led by Port Douglas-based architect Gary Hunt.

THE VISION
Silky Oaks Lodge joined the Baillie Lodges collection in 2019, the first property acquired under a new joint venture between Baillie Lodges and KSL Capital Partners.

The lodge complements Capella Lodge, Longitude 131°, The Louise and Southern Ocean Lodge in a premium experience of Australia’s most extraordinary destinations and Huka Lodge and Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in international waters.

RELAXED LUXURY
Tucked away between the ancient rainforest and the iconic sugarcane fields of Tropical North Queensland the recently renovated lodge blends the classic Queensland vernacular with a cool and contemporary vibe. Custom furnishings, commissioned artworks and warm local timbers offer a unique sense of the region.

LUXURY OF OZ
Luxury Lodges of Australia is a collection of independent luxury lodges and camps offering unforgettable experiences in Australia’s most extraordinary locations.

There are 19 lodges in this stellar collection of the nation’s most celebrated properties. Silky Oaks Lodge is a member of the collection alongside Baillie Lodges sister properties Capella Lodge, Longitude 131°, The Louise and Southern Ocean Lodge.

THE CONNECTION TO CULTURE
Baillie Lodges actively seeks engagement with the communities in which each lodge is located. Our teams work to establish supplier relationships with food and beverage producers, local artists and furnishing designers and support school education initiatives, community events and work experience programs.

DREAMTIME WALK
The First Nations Kuku Yalanji people’s ancient culture is centred around a deep respect for nature and an intimate knowledge of its cycles. An Indigenous guided tour through Mossman Gorge is a must-do to discover first-hand the invaluable knowledge of Country and culture passed down through generations.

INDIGENOUS ARTS
The textured works of local Aboriginal artists add a real sense of place to a stay at Silky Oaks Lodge. Guests will see an installation of 45 ceramic tiles created by artists from Yalanji Arts Centre as they arrive at the main lodge while handmade pots and vessels by Cairns-based artist Shireen Talibudeen are seen in the Kurribi Lounge.

NATIVE FLAVOURS 
A bountiful Kitchen Garden has been created on the site of a former tennis court where Executive Chef Mark Godbeer and his team cultivate local and Indigenous ingredients for use in the lodge’s daily changing menus. It’s perfect for a peaceful wander-through and for home gardening inspiration!

WALKABOUT TOURS
Walkabout Cultural Adventures offers half and full day tours of the Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge. Owner Juan Walker together with his team offers unique experiences within Kuku Yalanji Country, sharing an introduction to their culture and connection to the land.

THE COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT 
The Baillie Lodges environmental commitment is best expressed by each lodge’s interaction with its local natural and cultural surroundings. A dynamic environmental management plan featuring continually evolving technologies steers lodge operations and ultimately enhances each guest’s experience. How we support travelling for good.

CONSERVATION
Essential to the Baillie Lodges vision are initiatives designed to preserve the Daintree region’s pristine waters and broader rainforest environment, to maximise recycling and eliminate single use plastics and to conserve energy via smart technologies including LED lights and water-conserving bathroom fittings.

FLORA 
Silky Oaks Lodge is located in precious country. Around 3,000 plant species from over 210 broader families are found within the Daintree Rainforest and extended Wet Tropics region. The diverse range of plants includes primitive cycads, ferns and mosses and forms a natural archive of evolution in Australia.

FAUNA
Thriving among the lush vegetation around Silky Oaks Lodge are some of Australia’s rarest wildlife species. One third of Australia’s 315 mammal species call the Daintree Rainforest home. Thirteen of these species cannot be found anywhere else in the world, including unique green possums, rare bats, tree kangaroos and the Boyd Forest Dragon.

PRODUCE
Silky Oaks Lodge takes a holistic approach to managing its impact on the natural environment. The use of organic and free-range produce in the kitchen complements mutually beneficial supplier partnerships with carefully chosen local food and drink producers who in turn embrace environmentally sustainable practices.

THE STAY
At Silky Oaks Lodge, 40 luxury treehouse-style suites welcome in the sights and sounds of the Daintree Rainforest. A Baillie Lodges-led reimagining of the treetop hideaways brings a fresh, contemporary spin on the classic ‘Queenslander’ with signature clean lines, generous appointments and pared back, refined luxury.

Stepping outside, generous verandahs open to the gloriously verdant rainforest and feature the essential tropical accessory: an inviting hammock ready to sway in the afternoon breeze. View and download our lodge facts and packages.

RAINFOREST RETREAT
Stylish and intimate, the Rainforest Retreat features a king bed and interior daybed, ensuite bathroom with deep spa bath and outdoor deck with rainforest views, complete with hammock ready to sway in the cool breeze.

The Rainforest Retreat offers an open-plan living and sleeping area with king single daybed for easy lounging. Outdoors, a generous deck comes complete with a Silky Oaks signature hammock, perfect for relaxing in the cool breeze with a book or a glass of wine – or both!

Indoors, the king bed and lounge area offer views to the rainforest while the in-suite bar features local treats for downtime snacking. Backpacks are stored ready for adventures. The ensuite bathroom features a walk-in shower and deep bath, perfect for a luxurious soak.

TREEHOUSE RETREAT
Set high in the rainforest and offering both privacy and treetop views, the Treehouse Retreat combines king bed luxury indoors with a generous outdoor balcony strung with a signature hammock. A private deck with bathtub and open-air shower beckons.

Set in a premium position with views expanding out over the rainforest, the lounge in the Treehouse Retreat features a king single day bed for relaxing and flows seamlessly to the outdoor verandah. There, cool breezes whisper through the treetops to gently sway the signature Silky Oaks string hammock.

With over-the-toes views of the rainforest from the luxury of a well-dressed king bed, the Treehouse Retreat bedroom flows easily to both the lounge area and ensuite bathroom. Steps away and set privately to the rear of the suite is an open-air deck with stone bath, inviting decadent outdoor bathing.

BILLABONG SUITE 
The Billabong Suite combines generous indoor and outdoor living areas, deck with feature fireplace and bathroom with private open-air bathtub completing a premium rainforest experience.

The sub-premium Billabong Suite is nestled among the treetops at bird’s nest height. An expansive lounge features multiple seating options opening to a floating balcony with curved lounge with feature fireplace and essential double hammock.

The spacious stone-clad bathroom offers slick double vanity, walk-in rain shower and custom Healing Waters Spa custom spa products. Step outside to the balcony decked out with freestanding bath tub, perfect for soaking in the views of the rainforest canopy.

DAINTREE PAVILION 
The Daintree Pavilion is designed as the ultimate hideaway complete with two bedroom wings an open-air lounging atrium with infinity pool floating among the cool of the forest.

The Daintree Pavilion is poised like a sophisticated version of a safari ‘hide’. Dramatic skillion ceilings held aloft by glass walls frame a central entertaining lounge with premium stocked bar. Expansive outdoor decks overlook an infinity edge pool with plunge spa – the ultimate space to chillout in the cool of the forest.

Designed for privacy, two separate king bed sleeping areas each offer an ensuite bathroom opening to an outdoor atrium with bath under the treetops, set to the sound of the Mossman River cascading nearby.

DINING
Dining at Silky Oaks Lodge celebrates the abundance of fresh ingredients harvested in Tropical North Queensland’s rich food bowl. The dining experience combines local ingredients with the nation’s finest premium produce in a refreshing and contemporary Australian menu. The Treehouse Restaurant welcomes visitors for lunch between 12-2.30pm.

THE BREAKFAST
Breakfast starts afresh at Silky Oaks Lodge with Daintree tropical fruits, freshly squeezed juices and premium, locally grown tea and coffee.

Daily house made breads are made more delicious with pandan jam, or topped with avocado, free-range eggs, bacon and fresh-picked native greens from the Kitchen Garden. Coconut waffles stack up with local pawpaw and bananas, and spiced pancakes are an ideal base for smoked salmon, 63° eggs and sour shallots.

THE LUNCH
Set to the cool backdrop of rainforest where birds, cicadas and cobalt blue Ulysses butterflies flit, a generous lunch is served in the Treehouse Restaurant, perfect for sharing with a loved one or for a special occasion visit with friends and family.

Guests can opt for two or three courses, with entrée highlights including kingfish tataki or duck larb salad while mains include tempura reef fish or barbecued tiger prawns. After lunch, indulge in a Tropical sorbets to freshen the palette or a local Hemingway’s tropical ale to ease in the afternoon.

THE DINNER
As the rainforest darkens, the ripple and rush of the Mossman River provides a hypnotic soundtrack for dining in the warmly lit Treehouse Restaurant.

Sweet and sour pork belly or baby barramundi leave just enough room for kumquat ice cream or dark chocolate mousse. A sophisticated wine list invites careful exploring as the moon rises in the inky night sky. A seat at the bar is an ideal pit stop en route back to the suite.

PLANT TO PLATE
A thriving kitchen garden provides both singing-fresh ingredients for the table as well as a chance for guests to wander among its prolific greenery and learn a little along the way.

More than 100 plant types include the Mt White finger lime, red dragon fruit, pandan and tamarind. Guests will see many ingredients growing just moments before they are picked for the days’ menu, making one of the shortest paddock to plate journeys around.

QUEENSLAND QUENCHERS
It’s essential to stay hydrated in Queensland’s balmy tropics. Happily, Silky Oaks Lodge has drinks covered. Signature drinks at sunset and matched wines with dinner are included.

JUNGLE PERCH
Extending out into the rainforest treetops, the open-air Jungle Perch delivers bird’s eye views of the Mossman River, making it the best place to enjoy a drink and watch the waters flow by. Relaxed, canvas occasional chairs make it an easy spot to contemplate the day.

SILKY BAR
A list of premium Australian wines complements a swagger of local beers including Hemingway’s tropical ale, while gin and tonics take on a new twist with a menu of locally produced small-batch spirits. For Baillie Lodges friends, the exclusive Baillies 9 gin is ready to pour.

SUNSET DRINKS
Guests at Silky Oaks Lodge ease into dinner with sunset drinks and snacks served in the lounge or in the Jungle Perch, with its prime positioning over the Mossman River. Enjoy the day’s signature cocktail or a refreshing tropical ale.

THE SPA
Set among lush rainforest gardens, the Healing Waters Spa is a tranquil sanctuary offering a balm to the bustle of every-day life. Luxurious and restorative treatments for body, mind and soul invite guests to bathe in the wild beauty of the surrounds, to connect with the breath and spend mindful time in nature. Leave the spa feeling refreshed and lighter of mind, ready to soak in the pristine beauty of the rainforest.

Step into the Healing Waters Spa to relax into the spirit of the Daintree. Inspired by ancient Indigenous beliefs that the water in the Mossman River is a renewing and life-giving force, the Healing Waters spa offers six cool salons with rainforest views, including a couples’ room and a Vichy shower.

The Healing Waters Spa is inspired by ancient Indigenous beliefs that the water in the Mossman River is a renewing and life-giving force. Treatments draw inspiration from nature’s beauty ingredients and use the healing properties of pure plant botanicals to nurture both body and soul.

A signature menu of rejuvenation treatments features the Australian-made Sodashi skin care range, combining aromatherapy and natural botanicals with Ayurvedic principals to nurture the body and soul with wholeness, purity and radiance. The ultimate indulgence is the ‘Ulysses’, a complete face and body treatment encompassing purifying mud bath and Vichy shower overlooking the rainforest canopy.

Treatments also feature locally made products from alkeme, created by Aphra Skye Heron in small batches. Inspired by her upbringing in wellness, the range embraces age-old practises of alchemy, ‘making magic from nature’ using a blend of local botanicals and sustainable ingredients and is guided by ancient lore gifted from Australia’s First Nations people and global healing remedies.

ULYSSES FOR COUPLES
This luxurious spa ceremony begins with a gentle all-over body scrub using Sodashi’s Jojoba Body Polish, scented with rose geranium and patchouli. A nutrient-rich mud is then massaged into the hair and scalp, releasing tensions and leaving hair soft and shiny.

Sink into a warm, purifying herbal mud bath to unwind before rinsing off under the rain shower overlooking the rainforest canopy. Completing the full body experience with a customised facial to suit individual skin needs. Step out feeling renewed and revitalised.

YOGA
Welcome in the day with a gentle one-hour Hatha flow yoga session offered in the open-air Marrdja Pavilion. Designed for all levels with beginner and intermediate variations for poses, this class will help develop balance, strength and flexibility, while reducing stress and helping calm the mind.

EXPERIENCES
Situated among Tropical North Queensland’s world-renowned natural attractions including the Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef and Cape Tribulation, Silky Oaks is a luxurious base from which guests can plan their adventures.

A range of experiences with premium local operators is on offer for exploring the natural playground on the doorstep. Of course, the riverside setting invites leisurely pursuits on-site allowing guests to relax and discover Silky Oaks Lodge, the surrounding rainforest and Mossman River at their own pace.

PORT DOUGLAS TRANSFER
A return daily scheduled shuttle to Port Douglas is complimentary at Silky Oaks Lodge, making access to the stylish restaurant and shopping precinct easy. The twenty-minute transfer departs the lodge at 11.30am making lunch in town an appealing option. From a pub-style lunch or a seafood feast to a café fix or a casual grazing platter there’s something for every taste.

SELF-GUIDED WALKS
Lazing about is mandatory at Silky Oaks Lodge, but for those antsy for action, a network of walking trails begin from the doorstep inviting guests to step out and explore the World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park.

Guests walk through reclaimed rainforest dense with ash trees succumbing to strangler figs as well as palms, ferns, cycads and epiphytes (to name but a few species), all providing habitat to an array of creatures from frogs and lizards to birds and butterflies.

Just off the Low Trail, guests encounter an enormous rock that looks like an elephant’s back rising out of the pristine, clear waters of the Mossman River. Wave Rock, as it is known, is a beautiful spot to rest and take in the 180-million-year-old ecosystem and to take a refreshing dip without another soul around.

The walk to Fig Tree Rapids is the most challenging in both distance and terrain and requires a strong level of fitness and agility. Hikers are rewarded with an effervescent tumble of rapids flowing over ancient boulders to pool into a fresh-water billabong to rival the natural pool at Mossman Gorge (especially as there are no crowds!).

Make sure to sign-out with Reception before heading off and collect the Fig Tree Rapids Field Guide. The handy reference book includes a map of the walking trails as well as fascinating insights into the flora, fauna and landmarks seen along the way.

RIVER EXPLORATIONS
Mesmerising and ever-changing, the Mossman River is the pristine water source that grounds and renews all who encounter it, and from which everything at Silky Oaks flows.

It’s an easy wander down to the shady riverbank to plunge into the Mossman River’s icy cool depths. It’s a feeling of refreshment only Mother Nature can offer and for many, it’s a life-affirming moment.

Grab a snorkel and fins to discover the underwater world and meet some of the ‘locals’ including turtles and over 30 species of fish face-to-face. This spot in the Mossman River is one of the few places in Tropical North Queensland where you can wild swim croc-free.

Submerge safe in the knowledge that the water here is too cool and shaded for salties’ constitution. Alternatively, hop in a canoe or kayak and paddle gently along with the current.

From where the headwaters rise under Devil’s Thumb on the sprawling Mount Carbine Tableland, the Mossman River descends 1,050 metres over its 24-kilometre course, flowing through carved, ancient valleys before hitting the deeply etched sides of the Mossman Gorge.

A stone’s throw downstream, the river glides by Silky Oaks Lodge camouflaged atop its banks, before it reaches the coast and joins the Coral Sea. Quite the journey!

EXPLORING BY E-BIKE 
Just like riding a bike as the saying goes; the quiet, rural countryside of the Douglas Shire is just the relaxed vibe and picturesque landscape to get back in the saddle.

From Silky Oaks Lodge, it’s an easy cycle to the nearby towns of Mossman and Cooya Beach to the east and the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre to the south. Silky Oaks Lodge has a fleet of eBikes ready to get you pedalling and the team can help with cycling routes around the region for a fun adventure on two wheels.

RIVER & RAINFOREST
Located adjacent to the Daintree Rainforest, Silky Oaks Lodge is an ideal base from which to explore the ancient forest via specialty guided tours on foot, by boat or four-wheel drive safari. Additional charges apply.

DAINTREE SAFARI
Cape Tribulation is where the rainforest meets the reef and the best way to experience its extraordinary natural wonders is showcased by one of the region’s most experienced guides, like Daintree Safaris’ Nicholas Fox.

Lunch at the Daintree Tea House, a swim at nearby Emmagen Creek, a walk on Marrdja Boardwalk, a stop for ice cream and a look-in at Mount Alexandra Lookout to take in the views are all on the itinerary for the day. On the way home, there’s a Daintree River wildlife spotting cruise to round out a top day in the tropics, before farewelling Nick like an old friend.

BEAUTY VALLEY FALLS HIKE 
The Daintree Rainforest is home to the most ancient wonders of the original supercontinent Gondwana. Step back in time and off the beaten path with Daintree Experience for a true local experience with knowledgeable guide Allister leading the way.

The day’s adventure begins with a two-hour hike through rainforest glades and the creekside valley to a stunning waterfall. Access to the secluded site is exclusive to Daintree Experience. Refresh with a swim in the natural rockpool and refuel with a gourmet lunch enjoyed in the wild.

In the afternoon, change up the pace with a scenic cruise along the Daintree River. Glide along in a solar-powered boat and spot the wildlife that call the waterway home.

BIRDWATCHING
The Daintree is internationally recognised as a bird watching mecca, boasting over half the bird species in the entire continent of Australia. Of the 850 bird species in Australia (including migrants), about 630 species occur in Queensland. The Wet Tropics and Cairns region alone is home to over 430 species of birds, 12 of which are local endemics.

Doug Herrington of Birdwatching Tropical Australia has more than 18 years’ experience bird watching in Port Douglas and the surrounding region. He lives and breathes his passion and loves to share his knowledge of bird calls and behaviour along with his special bird hotspots with amateur and experienced birders alike.

The area includes a large range of very different habitats from sandy beaches to rocky shoreline and mangrove lined estuaries as well as wet and dry sclerophyll forests, lowland and high-altitude rainforests and several wetlands. All of these provide superb birding habitat and tour routes can be adjusted to suit specific interests such as those with target lists.

RIVER DRIFT SNORKELING
Drift-snorkelling along the Mossman River is a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s a perfect way to stay cool in the tropics and a great introduction to snorkelling before heading out to the reef.

Sometimes it’s a gentle journey through shallow waters where fish and freshwater turtles, as well as water lizards and possibly even the elusive platypus swim below. But, if there’s been a fresh downpour of rain, it can be a more adventurous and fast flowing trip.

Back Country Bliss runs the guided tour on a magnificent stretch of the Mossman River (known to the First Nations Kuku Yalanji as Jinkalmu) just downstream from the lodge, which being too high, too cool and too clear, is assuredly crocodile free.

All thoughts of worry soon evaporate as lying down on a ‘river sled’ (basically an industrial-strength Li-lo) watching the rainforest canopy that meets overhead, drifting into a bubble of bliss is impossible to resist.

DAINTREE RIVER & MOSSMAN GORGE
Discover the wonders of the Daintree taking in the must-see sights on a morning or afternoon excursion – a perfect tour for those short on time.

Dive into a rainforest expedition with Daintree Discovery Tours. Cruise along the Daintree River looking out for all manner of wildlife including the resident estuarine crocodiles, snakes, frogs, birds and more. Take a moment to soak up the surroundings with a cuppa and lamington (an Aussie institution!).

At Mossman Gorge, take a guided walk through the rainforest accompanied with interpretive commentary and swim in the cool, spring-fed waters of the gorge for a feeling of refreshment only Mother Nature can offer.

SOLAR WHISPER WILDLIFE CRUISE
Skipper David White has worked on the Daintree River for 20 years and possesses an incredible knack for spotting the likes of crocodiles, snakes, turtles and birds. Encounter wildlife with minimal disturbance in his stealthy, solar assisted electric boat.

The former Sydney carpenter’s connection to the ancient river system (known as Julaymba to the First Nations Kuku Yalanji) has grown so deep that dozens of crocodiles now recognise his voice, earning him the nickname ‘The Saltie Whisperer’.

While there’s no absolute guarantee of sighting a croc, there’s a good chance of spotting these remarkable creatures either above water or down below via the boat’s unique Croc Cam. Crocs aside, there’s a spectacular ecosystem of unique wildlife to be explored through David’s expert guidance.

David has inspired a cult following across the globe with his daily updates of the animal soap opera that he has called Days of the Daintree. The tongue-in-cheek chronicles are underpinned by a serious philosophy of sharing David’s passion for wildlife, photography and conservation. Meet Scarface, Lizzie and the rest of the cast on Instagram.

DAINTREE BOATMAN
A bucket list moment when in the Daintree Rainforest is seeing a giant saltwater (estuarine) crocodile in the wild. The Daintree Boatman, aka Murray Hunt, can make that happen onboard his customised hybrid vessel.

It’s not all about the crocs though and Murray’s cruises on the Daintree River provide plenty of opportunities to see and photograph a variety of birdlife including the Azure Kingfisher, Papuan Frogmouth and Great-billed Heron.

Private cruises are generally timed at dawn or dusk for the best light and pictures. The river will also be empty of other boats at these times allowing exclusive enjoyment of the waterway.

DAINTREE & CAPE TRIBULATION 
Join Port Douglas Tropical Trips for an ‘all stations’ tour of the Daintree. A guided walk on sacred Country, crocodile spotting on a Daintree River cruise, swimming in a pristine waterhole and heat-beating icy treats are all on the cards.

The first stop is Mossman Gorge for an Indigenous guided walk through the rainforest and the opportunity to learn about the Kuku Yalanji people’s deep spiritual connection to the land.

Next, it’s off to cruise along the Daintree River, keeping eyes peeled for the famed reptilian residents. The adventure continues with a river crossing before a stop to drink in the views over the coastal lowlands and the Great Barrier Reef from Alexandra Lookout. Refuel with a gourmet picnic beside a private waterhole – the perfect spot for a cooling swim.

Then it’s time to visit Cape Tribulation proper, for a stroll along the beach – rainforest on one side, reef on the other. Cap off the day with a sweet treat at the Daintree Icecream Company. Yum!

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
The ancient culture of the First Nations Kuku Yalanji people is built around a deep respect for nature and an intimate knowledge of its cycles. Experience firsthand the invaluable knowledge passed down through the generations.

NGADIKU DRAMTIME WALK 
The guided Ngadiku Dreamtime walks at Mossman Gorge are an essential part of a discovery of the Daintree, where Ngadiku (Nar-di-gul) represents the stories and legends from a long time ago in the local Kuku Yalanji language.

The 90-minute walks run on several scheduled departures each day and begin with a traditional ‘smoking’ ceremony to cleanse arriving visitors and ward off any bad spirits. An Indigenous guide leads guests along private, meandering tracks, visiting special places and culturally significant sites, past traditional bark shelters and across cool rainforest streams.

Guests will experience hands-on demonstrations of traditional plant use, discover bush food sources and traditions like making bush soaps and ochre painting. At the end of the tour visitors enjoy traditional bush tea and freshly fired damper.

ABORIGINAL ART WORKSHOP 
Janbal Gallery in Mossman is a gallery first and foremost but offers so much than the chance to gaze at paintings on a wall. Owned by renowned First Nations artist Binna Swindley, Janbal Gallery offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about Aboriginal culture through art and storytelling experiences. Binna is a local Kuku Yalanji man from Mossman and the gallery is lovingly named after his late mother.

Binna hosts painting workshops on weekdays, with morning and afternoon sessions available. Choose from either a small boomerang or canvas to paint, with all paints and tools supplied. An impressive range of traditional Aboriginal artwork and artefacts is on display at the gallery, with items available for purchase, too.

WALKABOUT ON COUNTRY 
Aboriginal owned-and operated Walkabout Cultural Adventures offers unique tours within Kuku Yalanji country, focusing on Aboriginal culture, significant sites and a chance to learn about the region’s environmental heritage.

Owner Juan Walker has been guiding in the Port Douglas Daintree region for almost twenty years. Together with his team, Walkabout Cultural Adventures offer intimate half and full day tours of the Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge, as well as private tailored tours.

The Ngana Julaymba Dungay: We All Going Daintree tour is based around Mossman Gorge and the coastal habitats of the southern Daintree.

The tour offers a chance to discover the Kuku Yalanji people’s environment, learn about different foods and medicines available in nature, sample some bush tucker, collect shellfish and try traditional Aboriginal hunting practices – including having a go at boomerang and spear throwing and hopefully catching a mud crab.

REEF EXPEDITION
Accessed via the coastal resort town of Port Douglas, the Great Barrier Reef offers a boatload of aquatic adventures to discover the kaleidoscope of corals and marine life in the magnificent reef system. Additional charges apply.

REEF SAIL & SNORKEL
Spend an unforgettable day sailing the Coral Sea onboard a luxury catamaran exploring either the Mackay Coral Cay on the Outer Reef or the idyllic Low Isles.

Exclusively accessible by Sailaway, the snow-white sand and the crystal-clear waters of Mackay Cay offer the picture-perfect backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef. Located on its northern frontier approximately 50 kilometres from Port Douglas, the small island rises mere metres above high tide.

The day’s itinerary includes visits to two protected reef sites ideal for snorkelling, offering close-up views of the vibrant and diverse coral gardens, giant clams, turtles and a kaleidoscope of tropical fish. In between, step ashore the tiny strip of beach to lounge about in paradise. Camera essential!

Situated 15 kilometres north-east of Port Douglas, the Low Isles comprise a four-acre coral cay surrounded by 55 acres of reef. One of two islands in the region, Low Island is a tiny sand cay (around two hectares in size) distinguished by a historic and still active lighthouse.

In the company of an expert guide, wade into the blue lagoon to snorkel over the magnificent coral gardens and swim with turtles in their natural habitat. There’s also time to relax on the beach and to join an island heritage walk.

Both adventures are hosted by qualified marine biologists, passionate about sharing their knowledge of the marine environment through educational presentations, guided in-water snorkelling tours and glass bottom boats tours narrated by Sailaway’s skipper.

OUTER REEF EXPLORER
Head out into the wide blue yonder onboard Wavelength’s custom design, low impact motorised vessel to explore the northern frontier of the Great Barrier Reef.

As one of the original reef operators in Port Douglas, Wavelength has the privilege of offering access to a wide selection of outer reef sites hand-picked for snorkellers. Each day the skipper chooses three snorkelling sites by assessing weather and tide conditions to ensure the best experience possible for divers.

Hosted by passionate marine biologists, join a guided in-water snorkelling tour at each of the day’s dive sites, interspersed with lunch and an interpretive reef talk and insights into the crew’s conservation efforts including coral planting and a renowned reef monitoring program.

ULTIMATE DIVE & SNORKEL
Agincourt and Opal Reefs are considered among the best locations to snorkel and dive on the outer Great Barrier Reef, where the coral system meets the great, wide ocean on the edge of the continental shelf.

Explore three great sites during a full day tour with Calypso, recognised as an Advanced Ecotourism operator. Beginners can try an introductory dive providing an exhilarating taste of the scuba experience.

While experienced (certified) divers can join the PADI dive masters on deeper explorations past sheer walls of corals, caves and possibly drift diving if conditions permit. For snorkellers, don’t worry, there’s plenty to see from the surface and guided tours are available. An interpretive reef talk adds fascinating insights to the experience.

LOW ISLES SUNSEEKER 
Set sail from Port Douglas and glide under the power of the wind towards the protected coral cay of the Low Isles, the ideal spot for an inner reef adventure. Gear up with snorkel and fins and jump in to explore the fringing coral reef guided by a marine biologist. There’s an excellent chance of coming face-to-face with a green sea turtle, seventh heaven for ocean lovers!

For a change of pace (and for those not wishing to get wet), gaze at the reef via a glass bottom boat trip narrated with a fascinating commentary by the skipper. Later, step ashore Low Island to learn about its rich maritime history and natural heritage during a guided walk.

At sunset, soak up the pure thrill of sailing the Coral Sea set to the spectacular backdrop of the Daintree Rainforest beyond, cool drink in-hand.

CORAL SEA SUNSET SAILING 
Considered a must-do for many when in the tropics, a sunset cruise with Sailaway ticks all the essentials: cool drinks, salt-spray and a dazzling sky.

Set sail from Port Douglas and soak up the glow of the golden hour while enjoying complimentary welcome drinks and canapés. Laze on the foredecks and enjoy the splash of the waves, take in the view from the bridge or toast the sunset from the open-air lounge.

EUREKA V PRIVATE CRUISE 
Kick back aboard the beautiful Eureka V, a 52-foot luxury catamaran and set a course to explore the extraordinary natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef including the amazing Outer Reef.

Discover the underwater world of the inner and outer reefs, jumping off the boat to snorkel at leisure amongst stunning coral gardens teeming in marine life including myriad colourful fish, manatees, rays and green sea turtles.

In between dips in the Coral Sea, the crew ensures no-one goes hungry with morning and afternoon snacks plus a gourmet lunch. There’s time to hang-out with loved ones and to share stories of the day’s adventures. Head to the top deck to recline in plush bean bag lounges – the perfect spot to enjoy a cool drink and to toast an unforgettable day spent in paradise.

HELICOPTER FLIGHTS
Experience the wonders of Tropical North Queensland from the air on a scenic flight or choose a longer tour to discover incredible and remote parts of the rainforest only accessible by helicopter. Additional charges apply.

DISCOVERY FLIGHTS 
Prepare for lift-off from Silky Oaks’ helipad and a thrilling bird’s eye view of the extraordinary Far North on a scenic helicopter flight with eco-certified operator Nautilus Aviation.

Expect mesmerising Coral Sea views as far as the eye can see on the 30-minute Reef Discovery flight which takes in the Great Barrier Reef – home to the greatest concentration of life anywhere on the planet – from on high.

Enjoy picture-perfect views of stunning Low Isles and 55 acres of fringing reef, home to an array of marine creatures. Join the eagle-eyed pilot in the search for sea turtles, sharks, manta rays, dolphins, dugong and even majestic Humpback whales (Jul-Sep). Don’t forget your camera!

The 30-minute Rainforest Discovery flight showcases the lush rainforest covered mountains of Mossman and Syndicate at the southern end of the Daintree National Park, flying high over the region’s hallmark sugar cane fields and thrillingly through Mossman Gorge.

The traditional home of the First Nations Kuku Yalanji people for over 50,000 years, this area boasts steep ravines, hidden seasonal waterfalls and towering rainforest peaks.

The popular 45-minute Reef Discovery flight combines all the highlights of the 30-minute Reef Discovery flight with an additional 15 minutes extending to the premium outer reaches of the Great Barrier Reef. In the distance see Snapper Island at the mouth of the mighty Daintree River, before flying along the entire length of spectacular Tongue Reef.

From the lush rainforest covered peaks, seasonal waterfalls and ancient waterways of the Daintree National Park to the premium outer reaches of the Great Barrier Reef the 60-minute Reef and Rainforest Discovery flight combines all the highlights from the shorter duration scenic flights into one awe-inspiring adventure!

RAINFOREST WATERFALL ESCAPE
Picnicking on top of a remote waterfall in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest is one of the coolest things to experience when in Tropical North Queensland.

Zip off with eco-certified operator Nautilus Aviation from Silky Oaks’ own helipad heading for the coast. View the extraordinary meeting place of the rainforest and reef from a thrilling new perspective. Get the camera ready!

Heading back inland, cue the Jurassic Park soundtrack and soar at Pterodactyl heights over the 180-million-year-old Daintree Rainforest before an exhilarating touchdown at Stewarts Creek Waterfall, a magical location only accessible by helicopter. Soak up wildly beautiful views and strip-off for a swim (maybe even a skinny dip!) in the cool, spring-fed waters.

Experience a bucket-list worthy high with a gourmet picnic atop the falls complete with sparkling wine for a real ‘pinch me’ moment.

UNDINE SAND CAY
Blast off to Undine Cay for one of the most brag-worthy experiences in Tropical North Queensland.Lift-off rockstar style from Silky Oaks’ own helipad to soak in breathtaking aerial views extending from the tropical rainforest cloaked coastline and across the azure waters of the Coral Sea before an exhilarating touchdown on dazzling Undine Cay, a jewel in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

Spend hours with silky white sand between your toes, sunbathing and snorkelling in the gin-clear waters abundant in marine life. Indulge in a gourmet picnic hamper complete with sparkling wine as you drip-dry in the balmy tropical air and toast the view and the one (or ones!) you love.

Rooms: 40

Price: from 702 EUR per night

Source: www.silkyoakslodge.com.au