Picolo recommends · Hotel near the Daintree, Queensland, Australia
Silky Oaks Lodge
Your treehouse stands on stilts among the rainforest canopy, and the only sounds at dawn are birds and the river running below.
Morning mist hangs in the trees, and below the deck the Mossman River slides over smooth stones. Silky Oaks Lodge sits in the rainforest north of Port Douglas, with its treehouses raised on stilts among the green.
The restaurant looks out over the water, and there is a spa for the hot afternoons. The lodge organises guided walks in the forest and trips out to the Great Barrier Reef, so you can see both in a single stay.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Silky Oaks Lodge
This is our nature pick for Australia. Two or three nights here after a city stretch give you rainforest, river and reef with very little effort, in surroundings that feel genuinely wild.
It is hot and humid for much of the year, and insects are part of rainforest life. If you dislike bugs or want beaches and bars on your doorstep, stay in Port Douglas instead.
What you get
- Treehouses on stilts in the rainforest
- Swimming in the Mossman River
- Spa
- Restaurant overlooking the river
- Organised trips to the reef
A day at Silky Oaks Lodge
- Morning
- A dip in the river while the birds are at their loudest.
- Midday
- A guided walk through the rainforest.
- Afternoon
- A spa treatment when the humidity peaks.
- Evening
- Dinner on the deck above the river as the forest goes dark.
Location
Mossman, Queensland, Australia
Open in MapsQuestions about Silky Oaks Lodge
Can you swim in the river at Silky Oaks Lodge?
Yes, swimming in the Mossman River is part of the experience here, and early morning is a lovely time to do it.
How far is Silky Oaks Lodge from Port Douglas?
The lodge is a short drive north of Port Douglas, on the edge of the rainforest, which makes it easy to combine the two.
Can you visit the Great Barrier Reef from Silky Oaks Lodge?
Yes, the lodge arranges trips out to the reef, as well as guided walks in the rainforest.
Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
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