Silky Oaks Lodge

Glimpsing part of Silky Oaks Lodge (hotel.qantas.com.au/silkyoaks lodge) from the refreshing depths of the Mossman River, it appears as if a careful hand placed it just far enough from the bank to hide it from view. Back on land, you can hear the river’s ceaseless flow from almost anywhere on the property; on a seat in the open-air Jungle Perch lounge or at Treehouse Restaurant, you might spy guests floating by, escaping the Tropical North Queensland heat.

Located about a 75-minute drive from Cairns, along a winding stretch of the Great Barrier Reef Drive, the luxury eco-lodge blurs the lines between architecture and nature. Its 40 bungalows are arranged along a pathway fringed by tropical plants and flowers, hammocks stretch across glass-fronted balconies and outdoor bathtubs are concealed in the forest. The Daintree is all around and all green: the lichen on the rocks pale and dusty, the leaves of the fig trees glossy and intense, the river muted and soft.

Towards the end of that pathway lies an entrance to an elevated walkway, cordoned off with a braided rope and marked “Private”. As you wander across a small ravine, the path ahead gently curves to reveal a secluded rainforest hideaway. The lazy whirl of its ceiling fans does just enough to ease the heat and

For our full review of Silky Oaks Lodge, visit qantas.com/silky-oaks humidity, a relief almost as welcome as the sight of the infinity plunge pool.

This is the Daintree Pavilion – the twobedroom home of dreams and the most coveted accommodation at Silky Oaks. Here, you can nap on the daybed after wandering the trails and discovering your favourite billabong, catching flashes of sunlight streaming through gaps in the canopy as you doze off.

As night falls, gaze at the pale trunks of the trees from your private pool, savouring something chilled from the wine cooler as you ponder the dishes you’ll choose for your three courses back at Treehouse. When you wake, all you’ll be able to think about is returning to the cool, clear waters of the Mossman River.