Site Visit & Stay at Silky Oaks Lodge, Australia

Renovated in 2021, Silky Oaks features an open design that immerses you in peaceful, private natural surroundings while showcasing modern, beautiful architecture. This feeling is carried across the property, whether in your room or in the open-air dining space, bar, or lobby. The rooms are all separate "Treehouse" bungalows, each with their own balcony and hammock. They range from riverfront to premium rooms, with outdoor soaking tubs and multi-bedroom suites suitable for groups or families, complete with a complimentary stocked fridge with snack and drink amenities. They also have a garden and yoga pavilion for retreats or small group celebrations up to 15.

7:30am daily yoga in the Treetop Pavilion

One of two rooms in the Daintree Pavilion, with living space, patio, and private plunge pool.

My riverview room looked down through the rainforest trees upon the meandering Mossman Gorge River. I had the option to keep the screened patio doors and window open to the sounds of the birds and water, or close the blackout windows for more privacy. Besides the grounds themselves, I loved the variety of outdoor activities available on site. We started each morning with yoga, and then could either SUP or take a half-day hike on the river (and a refreshing swim). A highlight was dipping into the shallow water after our midday hike and just letting the current slowly carry me down the river bank. The heated lagoon-style pool and spa felt like a secret getaway.

Riverview rooms

A refreshing post-hike dip in the Mossman River

Despite feeling off the beaten path, the lodge location is right at the edge of the rainforest, so an e-bike or short drive brings you to the nearby Mossman Gorge or further into Port Douglas, where the rainforest meets the reef. My favorite tip: The general public must purchase entrance tickets and take a shuttle to access the Daintree National Park entrance to the Mossman Gorge, but Silky Oaks is located right in the park! When we hiked to the river, went swimming, and paddled our SUPS, we had the area totally to ourselves.

Silky Oaks is located on the banks of the Mossman River, where you can hike, swim, or SUP

Pathways and bridges guide you through the property

You could treat this as a retreat stay on some days and never leave the property, and while most guests stay three to four days, most guests use Silky Oaks as a hub to explore the adventures of the tropical far north Queensland, aka "the FNQ." It is easy to rent a car to self-drive to the nearby attractions such as Cape Tribulation, The Crocodile, Bird & Butterfly Farms, The Kuranda Railway, and, most famously, the Great Barrier Reef. However, if you are not comfortable driving on the left side of the road as they do in Australia, Silky Oaks can arrange for your transfers and day tours, including Aboriginal-guided walks of the mangroves or a catamaran snorkeling on the reef.

I can't say whether my favorite experience was the immersive treehouse rooms and restaurant, the on-site nature activities, or the delicious local chef-prepared dining. I was particularly happy with the daily happy hour, featuring my favorite type of drink—locally distilled gin cocktails—with each night's drink being a different complimentary concoction. The open-air bar and Treehouse Restaurant is cantilevered into the rainforest canopy, with views down to the gently flowing river. Dress is casual, and each day after yoga, we would head to breakfast to grab local fruit and pastries and a coffee while we looked at the breakfast menu.

The open-air Treehouse Restaurant

A dinner appetizer, with fresh mozzarella from local cows

Dinners are an elegant yet relaxed, multi-course dining experiences paired with fine Australian wines. The seasonally inspired menu includes tropical produce of the Daintree and surrounding regions, with my favorite dishes being local barramundi fish, fresh-baked sourdough with smoked butter, and a creative dish using green matcha in the display of an underwater coral scene.

Last of all, the staff and service are excellent, with dietary preferences noted as soon as you arrive, and a front desk staffed 24/7 to help with any questions or requests.

• All Silky Oaks bookings include a welcome drink and orientation, breakfast, and a four-course dinner. Lunch is available in addition or can be ordered to go for your day trip.

• Unlike nearby riverfront locations, you don't need to worry about crocodiles in the river! Crocs don't like the fresh cold water, so the river is safe for picnicking, floating, and swimming.

• If you are spending a few weeks in Australia, fly into Cairns (CNS) airport to or from the rest of your Australian travels. It is too far to drive from Sydney and Melbourne. Remember, Australia is about the size of the USA!

• The resort is connected by a series of hilly paths and bridges. One room is fully accessible, and Silky Oaks offers "buggy service" if help is needed getting around the property.

• Wi-Fi is consistently available across the entire property via Starlink.

• Laundry service is available for a fee, or you can take advantage of the free machines and showers with soap located under the lobby, very helpful for a refresh in between your broader Australian trip stays

When to visit

• The Daintree Rainforest in tropical North Queensland is, as you guessed, in the tropical rainforest! Even in the dry season, prepare for some showers. With Australian's location in the Southern Hemisphere, it will have opposite seasons as the Northern. Dry season is April to November with lower humidity and cooler nights (from 66-82 degrees), with December to March as the green season with hotter days and nights (74-88 degrees) and more frequent rain showers. Because Australia is so vast, note that the climate in other parts of Australia will vary. For instance, Queensland's dry season in July will be Melbourne's chilly winter, so best to opt for shoulder seasons if traveling across multiple Australian territories.

How to get there

• If you're flying internationally, you may have a stopover in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, or possibly Fiji before landing at Cairns (CNS). From there, it's an 80-minute drive, or 20 minutes from nearby Port Douglas to Silky Oaks. Rent a car at the airport, or a private transfer can be arranged.

What to pack

• Outdoor clothing for nature adventures with solid footwear for rainforest walks, resort wear for daytime, and smart casual dress for evening. Don't forget a hat and sunscreen, which is necessary everywhere in Australia. Swimwear is essential for relaxing poolside or a refreshing swim in the river. Despite the rainforest location, the Silky Oaks property had surprisingly few "mozzies" (Australian for mosquitos).

During our stay, I felt totally relaxed and pampered, like I could explore at my own independent pace—whether I was staying on site or heading out for the day, relaxing in my room, or exploring the property. It felt like I had discovered the best local food and drinks, and everything—from the comfortable bed and spacious bathroom to the open-air tub and hammock on the balcony—added to the sense of tranquility. The rainforest stay was a welcome balance to the Great Barrier Reef scuba and snorkeling activities that draw most travelers to Queensland. Because of this unique mix of barefoot luxury accomodations with local, on-site dining and outdoor activities, I would definitely recommend planning your itinerary to Queensland around making sure you get to stay at Silky Oaks!

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