Page 16 - Port Douglas Magazine 29

from the

GROUND UP

WORDS by Howard Salkow

n the 1970s, Rob and Oonagh Prettejohn still offered comfortable facilities and with the Thala Beach Nature Reserve (as it is now known)
were living in Cairns. They had always right design and build, spectacular views of the now sits spectacularly atop a peninsula with
loved the outdoors and were in awe of the Coral Sea. breathtaking views of untouched coastline and
Iarray of flora and fauna that Far North Seton said that once the decision was made, is testament to a family’s vision, hard work and
Queensland offered. Raising their family on the Rob embraced the surroundings, quite literally. sustainable practices.
land and sea, through education and experience He spent many a day and night on the site, In more recent times it was invited to join the
the family were encouraged to appreciate accompanied only by his dog, visualizing from exclusive ranks of membership to the National
the fine balance and co-existence between every angle and developing the concept in his Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, one of
themselves and the natural environment. mind. With the help of local architect Gordon only five granted to an Australian eco-retreat.
Building on this passion, the couple designed, McClymont he translated his vision onto paper. In boasting the highest advanced eco-tourism
built and owned their first resort on the Northern He wanted buildings designed with open plans, accreditation, its accommodation encompasses
Beaches of Cairns, Kewarra Beach Resort. using natural materials such as stone and bungalows raised on poles, designed for minimal
Familiar with seeing a vision appear literally “from timber that would complement the surrounding impact on the landscape. It offers tours run by on-
the ground up” their son Seton Prettejohn was not landscape. His dream? To ensure this bushland site rangers, beach discovery, nature, garden, bird
surprised when Rob and Oonagh announced they would one day not only be recognised but used and butterfly walks; and the elders from the Kuku
were considering another block of farm land they as a model for eco resorts of the future across the Yalanji people visit for cultural presentations.
owned (some 145 acres), a little further north. globe. To complement its uniqueness, about 120
Covered by bush, it was only 40 minutes from With their experience from Kewarra Beach Resort butterfly species and some 200 bird species have
the local Cairns airport and had access to the a few years earlier, the family understood it was been spotted at Thala. Agile Wallabies, Spectacled
most fabulous coastline. Their vision, to offer important to be considerate of the local people. Flying foxes, and Green Tree Frogs too and for a
a resort that was based on eco principles with a They wanted to keep impact to a minimum, be fortunate few a sighting of marine life such as a
bio-dynamic environment. Way ahead of their respectful of the wildlife and native plants and turtles on the Coastal walk.
time and the current environmental trends, they ensure the environment continued to flourish for Port Douglas Magazine had the opportunity of
believed that travellers would appreciate a resort everyone to enjoy. talking to Seton Prettejohn, the Digital Marketing
that had minimal impact on the landscape, but Opening its doors to guests in May 1998, the Manager and son of owners Rob and Oonagh
18 tourismportdouglas.com.au