The northeast region of Queensland, Australia, is highly popular with visitors for its obvious draws: tropical climate, gorgeous beaches, lush rainforest and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef. And in Mission Beach, a coastal settlement about two hours south of Cairns, there is another reason to visit, nestled deep in the trees: an eco-lodge called Sanctuary Retreat at Mission Beach. Situated high on a hill, surrounded by dense rainforest that rolls all the way down to the Coral Sea, Sanctuary is just as inviting as it sounds.
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| Large, flightless birds, cassowaries are native to the tropical forests of Queensland. |
From the parking lot, there are two routes up through the steep terrain: a narrow footpath meandering through the forest, and a wider, very steep vehicle-access track suitable only for 4-wheel-drive vehicles. On a recent visit, my husband and I were lugging heavy backpacks with us, so we called the front desk for assistance. (A phone is in the parking lot for this purpose.)
Within minutes, we were picked up by a truck and driven through the trees to Sanctuary’s “long house,” the building that encompasses the in-house restaurant and bar, lounge area, reception desk and Internet area.
The long house is open and spacious. Natural timbers frame walls of glass panes that give us impressive views of the rainforest outside and the sea beyond.
The rule is no shoes inside, so after slipping off our sandals to check in, we slipped them back on to check out our AUD$ 65 per night (approx. US$ 49) double rainforest hut. The lodge also offers twin-bed huts and shared accommodations, as well as luxurious deluxe canopy cabins.
Continued: Rainforest Repose: Queensland’s Sanctuary Eco-Lodge
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