Wellness in the tropics

The World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest is right next door but guests at Silky Oaks Lodge don’t have to go that far for a natural high, with the lodge’s rooms tucked into the verdant treescape.

Keep it natural: Start the day with a swim in the clear and croc-free river that runs through the property. A natural current pushes you across the width of the river, a sensation that will get you giggling gleefully.

Treat yourself: Head to the Healing Water Spa for the Good Vibrations facial which includes a tension-lifting shoulder massage and sound therapy to clear your chakra points.

One more thing: Tropical flavours are on the menu at the beautiful Treehouse Restaurant, with ingredients from tamarind to finger lime grown in the on-site kitchen garden.

Set on the beachfront in one of northern Queensland’s loveliest villages, the adults-only Reef House is a laid back tropical hideaway.

Keep it natural: Who needs a meditation app when you have the ocean? Watching the ever-changing colours and the never-ending flow of the water to and from the shore is a sure-fire stress reliever. Grab one of the Reef House’s fishing rods and spend a relaxing morning on the jetty – you may even catch your own dinner.

Treat yourself: Harness the healing power of the sea with the Sea Holistic Massage, which includes a sea-salt exfoliation and the relaxing scent of sea lavender.

One more thing: The resort’s beach butler service turns a day lazing by the pool into a luxury escape, delivering cool towels and icy sorbet to your sun lounger.

At the northern-most resort on the Great Barrier Reef, it’s all about exploring the rich marine life of one of the world’s great natural wonders.

Keep it natural: Lizard Island has some of the best snorkeling spots on the Great Barrier Reef just metres from shore, so grab a snorkel and dive in. Marvel at giant clams and eye-catching corals, swim among shoals of brightly-coloured fusiliers, or float above turtles as they graze on abundant sea grass beds.

Treat yourself: Give your feet a treat with Essentia Day Spa’s Wellness Foot Therapy, in which your feet are exfoliated, nourished and massaged to ease the built-up strain.

One more thing: On Lizard Island every season is different, so join the in-house naturalists on one of their regular walks showcasing what the island’s flora and fauna are doing that month.

Keep it natural: The reserve is set on a 145-acre peninsula home to numerous different environments, from beaches to mangroves to rainforest. Take a guided tour through the coconut plantation to discover the plant’s many health benefits, from helping to reduce body fat and lower cholesterol to building the immune system.

Treat yourself: Refresh yourself from top to toe with a Spiritual Journeys’ Thala Beach Rainforest Yoga Retreat. Over an entire weekend dedicated to wellbeing you can enjoy daily yoga and meditation, an art class, health seminars and your eco-bungalow surrounded by native forest.

One more thing: The unpolluted skies make this a great place for stargazing, so seize the opportunity to learn more about the stars and planets at the resort’s outdoor observatory.

Are you looking for more wellness experiences in Queensland? You may like these stories – Outdoor adventures in Tropical north Queensland and Connect with Culture.

Image credits: Tourism and Events Queensland