Press Releases

Extra Originals

Resorts can offer a range of activities that often fall short of grabbing guests’ attention or imagination, but the environment at Thala doesn’t permit everyday ideas and Thala’s owners have made sure to realise it. What Thala has done is assemble understated extras that make all the difference to a luxury coastal holiday.

“ We’ve tried to make the adventure here active and a little surprising while keeping in
mind the delicacy of the feeling in this place,” says owner Rob Prettejohn. “So that it’s possible to actively experience first-hand the beaches, the ocean, the mountains, and the wildlife and never lose the calm visitors tell me they find at Thala.”

Elders from the local Kuku Yalanji tribe visit Thala to share stories and healing knowledge passed on from previous generations, and the value of bush tucker food they have nurtured since the age of the hunter-gatherer. Their music connects to the aboriginal Dreamtime and their presence is always special. All this is done in a quiet, personalised unregimented fashion for small groups.

Thala has specially made Sea-kayaks with transparent floors which allow visitors to see marine life, like the turtles that live just off the beach, and give an ocean perspective on the rainforest dropping into the sea all along the coast. The resort keeps an expert kayak guide on hand for all sea-kayak trips.

Advanced 10” telescopes and a viewing lounge were installed in 2005 at a high point on the headland (a special project of the owners) to take advantage of Thala’s very favourable star gazing conditions. The almost zero city-light interference allows galaxies, stars and planets come into detailed focus, a changing experience for some guests.

The 145 acres of forest and beaches are can be explored and hiked with or without a guide.

Ospreys Restaurant will prepare one of their gourmet picnic baskets on request, containing delicacies like seafood and champagne or sushi and sake. The guided nature and wildlife walks through Thala’s six different habitats with experts Brett and David are a good way to see how different Thala is from the rest of the coast. Butterflies, many birds, giant lizards, rare small mammals and rare plant life are scattered across the peninsular.

First class body treatments and massage options are available from the resort’s specialised beauty and wellness studio, Evolution, on the beach or elsewhere. The professional massage and aromatherapy specialists are highly skilled and friendly.

Staff at Thala know the beauty of Cairns and Port Douglas, which is easily accessible from Thala, with all the scuba diving, sailing, world heritage rainforest, waterfalls and coastal towns Queensland’s glistening far north coast is famous for. They are old hands at organising tours and trips for an overall great experience.

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