DAINTREE RAINFOREST, JULY 2020:  As Australia emerges from lockdown, the Northern Escape Collection's rainforest retreat the Daintree Ecolodge has unveiled newly refurbished Lagoon Bayans and Rainforest Bayans, with works completed over the past three months of closure by local builders and tradesman. With a soft opening welcoming Queenslanders from late last month and expanding to interstate guests from 10 July, the sustainably renovated bayans (treehouses) offer pure and rejuvenating eco-luxury set within the awe-inspiring sanctuary of the Daintree Rainforest.

With refreshed, contemporary design and interior architecture by Melbourne's Dubois studio, the bayans remain mindfully secluded under the canopy of the world's oldest living rainforest with minimal impact on the environment. In line with the Northern Escape Collection's endeavours to provide soul-enriching retreats amongst the natural beauty of the landscape, focus is placed on creating a sense of being amongst the tropical wilderness, while offering the creature comforts of a boutique escape.

THE BAYANS

Nestled high in the rainforest canopy, overlooking the onsite lily pad-strewn lagoon and Julaymba Restaurant, the five Lagoon Bayans are the Daintree Ecolodge's entry-level room type and ideal for guests wishing to explore and discover the beauty and diversity of the region by day. The new styling features muted colours and natural tones of sage, ochre, grey and white, while soft dappled light is welcomed in through floor to ceiling glass screens and the private rainforest balcony.

The three Rainforest Bayans are set closer to the rainforest floor amidst the ancient emerald vines and offer an ideal retreat for those seeking solitude or a romantic escape. Featuring a freestanding black bathtub on a private enclosed balcony overlooking the kaleidoscope of unique flora and fauna, the Rainforest Bayans allow guests to surrender to the soothing rainforest and sounds of the jungle.

Across both refurbished room types, new furnishings and finishes have been chosen to blend seamlessly with the colours and textures of the rainforest beyond. Scorched black timber benches and side tables, soft grey canvas armchairs, and timber and dark bronze ceiling fans to keep guests cool in the tropical climate. Custom, steel-framed beds allow for king or twin configuration, with the option of a roll-away bed for a third guest; and the bayans' generous 46 sq.m floorspace allows for plenty of space to unwind and relax.

“At a time of enormous change in the world, Australians are very aware of the luxury of being naturally isolated, which is something we have long celebrated through our properties and experiences. While plans for our bayans were finalised well before Coronavirus, the refurbishments were designed with this in mind – offering a chance to be at one with nature, to reflect, recharge and reconnect,” says Hayley Morris, Executive Director Northern Escape Collection.

The new bayans are priced at $380 per night for two guests for a Lagoon Bayan and $480 per night for two guests for a Rainforest Bayan and include;

• Daily á la carte breakfast in the Daintree Ecolodge's Julaymba Restaurant which celebrates the local farmers, food artisans and homegrown produce from the lodge's on-site kitchen garden to produce a seasonal menu focused on sustainability
• Private balcony (the Rainforest Bayan balconies also feature a freestanding bathtub)
• Ensuite
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Mini-bar fridge
• LaGaia guest amenities
• Tea & Coffee making facilities

THE SETTING

Accommodating a total of only 30 guests at any time, the Daintree Ecolodge is nestled in the heart of the magnificent World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and offers boutique eco-luxury accommodation in a breath-taking environment of refugial habitats, native flora and fauna, authentic Indigenous culture and sacred and striking diversity.

Immersed in the canopy of the rainforest, the Daintree Ecolodge is the perfect destination to reconnect with nature and loved ones. Believed to be over 180 million years old, and the oldest tropical lowland rainforest on Earth, the Daintree Rainforest is a rare jewel in the crown of Mother Nature, where lush tropical rainforest meets sweeping white sand beaches and fringing coral reefs. Its positioning alongside the Great Barrier Reef makes it the only place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sites meet. The Daintree's spectacular scenery captures coastal views, rugged mountain peaks, crystal clear creeks and waterfalls as well as forest as far as the eye can see.

The Daintree Ecolodge features a main lodge with a bar, a rainforest restaurant and dining area overlooking a lagoon, onsite kitchen garden, the Daintree Wellness Spa, a swimming pool, private and sacred onsite waterfall and swimming hole and a multitude of quiet areas amongst the lush tropical rainforest to relax and unwind.

For further information and for images please contact:

marketing@northernescape.com.au

www.daintree-ecolodge.com.au

About the Northern Escape Collection

A collection of boutique sustainable lodges that celebrate Queensland's diverse natural beauty in one bespoke journey. Inspiring authentic experiences and lasting memories, discover a secluded island paradise on the Great Barrier Reef (Orpheus Island Lodge), a soul-enriching retreat in the Daintree Rainforest (Daintree Ecolodge) and invoke the spirit of adventure in the outback (Luxury Lodges of Australia member Mt Mulligan Lodge). A private helicopter service provides unrivalled access to all three lodges and an outstanding super yacht (M.Y. Flying Fish), equipped with its own heli-pad, offers privately chartered Great Barrier Reef exploration.

www.northernescape.com.au

Getting There

Access to the Daintree Ecolodge is via a 90-minute drive north from Cairns (110km), or a 40-minute drive from Port Douglas (45km) on one of Australia's most spectacular drives.

The lodge is nestled on the southern banks of the impressive Daintree River, so a ferry crossing is not required. Self-driving is recommended to explore the region with ease, while helicopter or private land transfers can be arranged upon request.