Tucked away hidden among the rainforest south of Port Douglas is one of the region's most luxurious five-star eco resorts.

Thala Beach Lodge, built atop a private peninsula surrounded by miles of Coral Sea coastline, is the perfect place to experience the natural beauty of the region while relaxing in five-star comfort and leaving your worldly cares behind.

As we drove into the lodge, we were greeted by a friendly staff member who took our bags to reception and parked our car for us. After check-in, we were led up a grand staircase to the open-style lounge and bar area where we were presented with a fresh juice cocktail to sip.

We were then guided through the natural sandy paths through the forest canopy to our private timber bungalow, built high on stilts. What stood out immediately was the breathtaking views of the bright blue sea that stretched more than 100km.

We finally pulled ourselves away and went exploring the natural trails of the 58ha resort, discovering a variety of native birds and flora. We headed first for the beach, passing two resort pools along the way, and found ourselves alone to explore the pristine, sandy beach.

We dragged ourselves away to visit the restaurant where we enjoyed superb meals in the open-air restaurant. The food was divine and the service was attentive yet unobtrusive.

What adds to Thala’s greatness is the fact that it is eco certified and has been awarded the highest Ecotourism accreditation for enhancing the local environment.

One guest summed up the resort perfectly. "Don’t change a thing," he said. "It’s heaven on earth here."

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