Thala Beach Lodge

Awarded the highest Ecotourism accreditation by maximising meaningful experiences whilst minimizing the impact on the environment – the Thala experience adheres to the principals of Ecotourism.

• Natural Area Focus: Thala is built atop a rocky peninsular jutting into the Coral Sea, surrounded by 2kms of pristine private beachfront left as nature intended it to be. The top of this magnificent 145 acre peninsular is covered with natural Australian Eucalypt forest, progressing down to the Ancient Rainforests of Gondwana to lap the beach and Coral Sea.
• Environmental Sustainability: In the early 1970’s Rob & Oonagh Prettejohn purchased the 145 acre Peninsula that is now Thala, then a degraded, unsustainable sugar cane farm. They got planning approval for a 700 bedroom hotel! Fortunately as 'fair dinkum' Aussies this was not their style. They planted many thousand indigenous species to rehabitate the area and return it to its natural state. The lodge is built out of natural sustainable materials in a style that does not set out to dominate the surrounding landscape.
• Contribution to Conservation: Thala Beach Lodge is a beacon of hope as mankind progresses from being ‘the demolisher’ to ‘the conserver’ to ‘the environmental benefactor’. Over a period of 30 years, Rob and Oonagh have shepherded the re-establishment of complex rainforests on land that was once cleared and devastated by extractive farming. With the return of the forests, wildlife populations have exploded bringing their pulsating natural energy.
• Customer Satisfaction: Rob and Oonagh employ wildlife specialists who are on hand to guide and amaze their guests in their forests, the beaches or along their rocky headland. You might see rare Snub-finned Dolphins, followed soon afterwards by a resident Osprey diving for fish to feed her chicks. Then delicately treading through the magnificent rainforest with its many species of tropical birds and butterflies, where guests are encouraged to add new sightings to the growing lists recorded. Thala has many permanent guests. They are recognizable by their wild temperament and generous covering of fur, feathers or scales. They are constantly surprising and delighting the transient humans. At night there is an observatory where guests are taken time travelling to the far reaches of The Milky Way. Guests at eco-lodges like Thala leave a soft print in an environmental journey towards a better world: they take away memories and understanding that will inspire them and others for years to come.
• Working with Local Communities: Recognising the importance of the spirit of our local indigenous communities Thala invites the elders of the KuKu – Yalanji community to take our guests through the journey of their culture. From healing plants to bush food the elders bring in leaves and seeds for guests to handle and learn their history and importance to the survival of this wonderful community. Musical instruments so important to the rites and rituals of the ancient peoples of this ancient land are a part of Thala’s experience. Thala is always grateful to the KuKu-Yalanji elders for their eager sharing of their ancient knowledge.
• Responsible Marketing: All marketing material at Thala, brochures, website, flyers and all images displayed are actual photographs taken, and are true images of what guests can expect to experience. The Brochure can be seen on the web site, reducing the necessity for mass print & mailouts.