(apology up front - this was our wedding anniversary so i left the camera behind so the iphone had to do)
30 years of blistful marriage (i had to say that in case Kathy reads this) so what better excuse to head north for a few days to Palm Cove near Cairns, Queensland.
As a surprise I booked the ‘Reef House’, a small boutique resort right on the bay.
The first thing that greets you when you arrive is the 300 year old Melaleuca trees that shelter the colonial style building. With a laid back vibe, this white-washed, timber louvered, open air resort is luxury from the minute you step inside.
The Original Reef House was built in 1958 by a Cairns bookmaker who lived there with his family. In 1970 the house was opened as a restaurant with limited accommodation of three suites in the garden. In 1972 the ‘Reef House’ reverted to a private residence hosting Prime Ministers and celebrities from around the world. Now an adults only retreat, it was named the number one hotel in Australia by TripAdvisor in 2024.
We had several days being pampered with daily canapes, wine tasting, relaxing by the opulent pool (or I should say pools) and amazing personal service. While it is not your classical 5 star hotel resort, it does not pretent to be. Rather it is like visiting your wealthy grandmother who is willing to do anything for you.
While you could easily spend days not leaving the resort, we chose to extract ourselves from the pool and make the most of the time here.
Stepping out of the front door, in only a few steps you are standing on white sand with the ocean lapping enticingly on its edge. However, unknowing tourists would not be aware that two deadly animals lurk in the waters. If the Irukandji jellyfish does not sting you then a wandering saltwater crocodile may (you have to love Australia!)
We chose a safer way to get in the water, on I should say on the water, heading out for a sunrise Kayak paddle.
Just off Palm Cove is a Resport that once hosted Hollywood actors Jennifer Aniston and Keanu Reeves. It now makes for a different scene that could be used as a backdrop for a Hollywood survivor episode.
The island was bought by a Hong Kong bases billionaire for $5.68 Million in 2012 but has been abandoned allowing nature to reconsume it.
The Queensland Government has made multiple threats to cancel the lease if it is not restored.
As we were with the guide we had permission to explore the resort with its swamp like swimming pool, gym with plants growing inside and rooms strewn with broken furniture.
While visiting this far north we could not miss the opportunity to spend the day out on the Great Barrier Reef.
