If Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and ancient rainforests crown the top of your Down Under bucket list, the region to head for is Tropical North Queensland. Mantra Amphora Resort in Palm Cove – a relaxed beachside village only 30 minutes from Cairns – offers all you need to unwind between adventures: a sparkling lagoon pool under the palms, modern multi-sized rooms and apartments, and an unbeatable coastal address right where reef, beach and rainforest are all within easy reach.
National natural treasures are at your fingertips
Palm Cove sits between two of Tropical North Queensland’s defining landscapes: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites. Mantra Amphora’s tour desk experts can assist in arranging your most important excursions – whether a snorkelling day is non-negotiable or you prefer your expeditions on dry land.
Ride a 19th-century train past waterfalls into Kuranda Village, pick up locally made arts and crafts from the Original Rainforest or Heritage Markets or watch free-flying birds display their brilliant colours at a massive local aviary. Keen for more of a hair-raising day out? Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures and scenic helicopter flights are among nearby attractions. Head further north for Mossman Gorge, where emerald freshwater holes and lush rainforest trails transport you to another world.
Cool down however and whenever you like
At Mantra Amphora, there are countless ways to take a dip and revive your energy in the afternoons. Wriggle your toes in the water at Palm Cove Beach across the road, check out freshwater pools inland, or take a full-body plunge back at the resort. Here, a free-form, lagoon-style pool winds through landscaped gardens, with plenty of shady corners under the swaying palms.
Chill out with a good page-turner on the daybed and then it’s up to you: beach, pool, rinse and repeat. There’s even a separate wading pool in the resort for little swimmers, and a spa, too, if you feel like an after-dinner soak (Palm Cove evenings welcome cooler breezes and lower temperatures around 17-22 degrees Celsius).
Slow down and savour beachside village charms
From sleek, plush-bedded hotel rooms and balconies perfect for couples, to apartments with full-size kitchens and enough room for families to stretch out, Mantra Amphora’s diverse assortment of spaces means there’s something for every kind of traveller.
The same goes for Palm Cove village, too. Even without booking reef and rainforest tours, there’s enough to do and see right across the road: from fish and chips to award-winning dining, plus wellness spas, boutique shopping and more, all dotted between the palms along Williams Esplanade. Add another swim to the mix and your refreshing tropical getaway is sorted.
