Silky Oaks Lodge provides a hub for the many wonderful adventures and discoveries on offer in Tropical North Queensland. Within easy reach are Mossman Gorge, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef – Port Douglas – and the magnificent wilderness of Cape Tribulation. To the west lies the Atherton Tablelands, the last frontier that divides the coast from the vast Queensland outback.
The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area has so much to offer and guests can tailor-design an itinerary including special interest tours to discover the mysteries of the ancient rainforest and richly diverse tropical landscape. While the riverside setting at Silky Oaks Lodge invites leisurely pursuits on-site including yoga, self-guided walks and river explorations.
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Guided morning yoga classes take a gentle pace and suit all fitness and experience levels. Held in an open-air pavilion, cares slip away with the gentle sounds of the Mossman River.
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Join naturalist guide Murray Hunt and get to know the ‘locals’, from sought-after birds and snakes to hard-to-see crocodiles, during a private cruise down the scenic Daintree River onboard a hybrid vessel.
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Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre is the hub for visitors to Mossman Gorge. The Ngadiku walk welcomes guests with a traditional ‘smoking’ ceremony segueing into a guided rainforest journey steeped in ancient culture.
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Fly above ancient rainforest and the shimmering waters of the Coral Sea before landing on your private outer-reef pontoon. With tailored encounters led by a marine biologist, discover the Great Barrier Reef in rare, privileged seclusion.
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Soar over the Daintree National Park with its jungle-cloaked peaks, fly out to hover above the stunning Great Barrier Reef, or combine both World Heritage-listed wonders in an unforgettable round-trip.
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Sail into the sunset onboard a luxury catamaran and cool drink in-hand, watch as the sky turns pink, the sea ripples with gold and the mountains beyond transform to striking silhouettes.
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Glide above the ancient Wet Tropics rainforest on the Skyrail cableway and drift just metres above the canopy, taking in Barron Gorge and World Heritage vistas, with time to explore elevated boardwalks at Red Peak and Barron Falls.
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Join Walkabout Cultural Adventures to discover the Kuku Yalanji people’s deep connection with Country at Mossman Gorge, learn about bush foods and medicines and try traditional Aboriginal hunting techniques.
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Snorkel and dive the premiere locations on the Great Barrier Reef, Agincourt and Opal Reefs, guided by PADI Dive Masters, for an unforgettable day spent exploring beneath the waves.
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Exploring the natural oasis of the Mossman River is as easy as sinking into the billabong for a refreshing dip, or taking a snorkel for a closer look down below.
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Ramble through the rainforest to Cape Tribulation for a day of guided walks, river cruising, wildlife watching, waterhole swims, tea-house dining and icecream eating – this fun and immersive trip has it all.
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Daintree River wildlife expert David White is well-accustomed to the nuances of the waterway and his ability to spot the ‘locals’ is impressive, aided by his whisper-quiet zero emission vessel.
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Cruise the aquamarine waters of the Great Barrier Reef aboard your private luxury yacht, where every moment is tailored to you for an unforgettable day of exploration and relaxation.
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Silky Oaks Lodge offers guests a daily courtesy shuttle service to and from Port Douglas. It’s an easy option to explore the pretty resort town with its strip of restaurants and shops.
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Guests at Silky Oaks are invited to connect with the living culture of the local Kuku Yalanji people, whose connection to the Daintree spans countless generations. Guided Ngadiku Dreamtime walks and ceremonies offer a meaningful introduction to the stories, knowledge and spirit of Country.
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1988, the Daintree Rainforest is among the world’s oldest and most biodiverse landscapes. More than 3,000 plant species flourish here, alongside remarkable wildlife – from tree-dwelling possums to elusive crocodiles along the riverbanks. Keen eyes may spot the shy Boyd’s Forest Dragon or the striking Southern Cassowary, while the forest’s rich ecosystems support a remarkable diversity of frogs, freshwater fish and butterflies.
From the Great Barrier Reef to the Atherton Tablelands, the Daintree region yields an abundant and diverse harvest – tropical fruits, locally grown coffee and cacao, fresh seafood and premium produce. At Silky Oaks Lodge, the kitchen draws on these ingredients, alongside native botanicals, to create menus that reflect a true sense of place. Read about our Dining Philosophy.
Part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area, the Daintree climate is characterised by two distinct seasons: the dry season and the green season. Part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area, the Daintree climate is characterised by two distinct seasons: the dry season and the green season.
(APRIL – NOVEMBER)
The dry season runs from April to November. Warm days and cool nights offer lower humidity and pleasant temperatures. The ocean is free of marine stingers during this time, so it's an ideal time to cool off with a swim or explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Boating adventures are a chance to spot majestic whales – including Humpbacks and Minkes – as they migrate from the south to chill-out in Queensland’s warm, clear waters.
Temperatures range from 19–30°C.
(DECEMBER – MARCH)
December to March is known as the green season, as the days and nights are hot with frequent cooling showers. Clouds hang low over the mountains and the forest landscape is refreshingly green. There are plenty of sunny, beach-going days during these summer months. Add epic waterfalls, active wildlife and the fact that it's mango and lychee season and there are plenty of reasons to give the go ahead on a green season stay.
Temperatures range from 22–32°C.
Silky Oaks Lodge is centrally located to several of the Daintree’s main attractions, at just 20 minutes drive from Port Douglas (22 km) and 80 minutes drive north of Cairns Airport (78 km). The magnificent wilderness of Cape Tribulation is 68 km north – or around an hour’s drive – of the lodge.
Silky Oaks Lodge is set on 32 hectares (80 acres) of pristine rainforest above the gently flowing Mossman River, approximately 80 minutes drive from Cairns and 20 minutes from Port Douglas, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
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The open-air restaurant and bar welcome in the peaceful sights and sounds of the rainforest, creating an extraordinary backdrop for relaxed fine dining. Menus are contemporary Australian in style with Asian influences, designed to be refreshing and light.
Whet your appetite
Inspired by ancient beliefs that celebrate water in the Mossman River as a renewing and life-giving force, the multi award-winning Healing Waters Spa offers six treatment rooms with rainforest or river views, including a couples room and Vichy showers.
Heaven awaits