Over the last few years there has been a trend towards self-catering accommodation in North Queensland and this has not been confined to the budget end of the market. In fact there are many luxury self-catering resorts in the region that allow travellers to enjoy lavish surroundings.
One of the great advantages of self-catering accommodation is that it gives travellers greater flexibility and privacy than a normal hotel room. It also has economic benefits if you don’t need to dine out for every meal and the money you save on food can be spent on other exciting trips and activities.
There are self-catering resorts and apartments available around most of FNQ. However if you want to experience a ‘tasting plate’ of all the best things on offer here we would recommend a 3-part holiday that takes in an island, some rainforest and the very best that luxury can buy you in the foodie capital of the north, Port Douglas.
Each of these three self-catering resorts offers something unique:
[headline size=”small” align=”left”]1. great barrier reef island: Fitzroy Island Resort[/headline]
It wouldn’t be a trip to FNQ without a stay on one of the Great Barrier Reef islands. Fitzroy Island, near Cairns, is easy to access and the scenery is beautiful.
Fitzroy Island Resort offers self-catering apartments overlooking the ocean, which are ideal for those wanting to spend less on eating out and more on water sports, reef trips and island activities.
The apartments are spacious with a large kitchen featuring all the mod cons, a bedroom, bathroom and lounge/dining area. The balcony overlooks the water.
There is lots to do on the island including snorkelling, diving, kayaking and trying out their underwater submarines.
There are also walks through the rainforest, round to the picturesque Nudey Beach (not a nude beach) and up to the lighthouse.
A visit to the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is also a must-do.
There’s also the option of just relaxing by the pool and doing nothing but soak up the sunshine.
[headline size=”small” align=”left”]2. rainforest: the canopy rainforest treehouses & wildlife sanctuary[/headline]
North Queensland is also known for the Wet Tropics and for World Heritage listed rainforest so the next item on your agenda should be a stay in the rainforest.
Add some Australian wildlife and hands-on animal feeding experiences and this small resort will really impress you.
You are encased by lush green rainforest and a wildlife sanctuary with platypus, wallabies, possums, tree kangaroos, bush turkeys, tree frogs, lizards, turtles and an abundance of birdlife all on your doorstep.
The resort’s six rainforest treehouses are nestled in the hills at least 15-20 minutes’ drive away from any restaurants. You need to take your own supplies but the pay-off is being isolated in the rainforest with amazing views over the creek below.
The treehouses are built high off the ground with a spacious lounge area with potbelly fireplace and television, a large kitchen, upstairs mezzanine bedroom, downstairs bedroom and bathroom with large corner spa bath.
[headline size=”small” align=”left”]3. celebrity-style luxury: Niramaya villas & spa[/headline]
Port Douglas attracts celebrities and high-end travellers with a wide choice of luxury accommodation, but Niramaya Villas & Spa definitely stands out as being one of the best self-catering resorts in NQ.
These exceptional open-plan villas have a Balinese-style tropical layout. They are very spacious and with 3-4 bedrooms can easily cater for up to 8 people.
They have a large kitchen with state-of-the-art cooking facilities, a spacious dining room and separate lounge, outdoor entertaining areas and private plunge pool. All rooms open up to the outside courtyard via large bi-fold or sliding glass doors.
These villas are completely private and incredibly luxurious.
Chances are you won’t want to leave your villa bit if you do the centre of Port Douglas and its award-winning restaurants are only five minutes away.
[headline size=”small” align=”left”]travel nq fast facts:[/headline]
- There are many popular self catering resorts in North Queensland, which provide a full range of facilities
- Luxury private houses are also popular to rent in and around Port Douglas. These are popular with wedding parties.
