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Aerial view of Thala

about the past, present and future. From his own travel experience he noticed that characters it has nurtured. So Rob was determined
Port Douglas Magazine: It must have been hugely most international hotels are built to standardised to break with tradition and create an environment
satisfying when Thala Lodge was invited to join corporate formulas that do not necessarily where he and Oonagh would themselves want to
the exclusive ranks of membership to the National embrace the distinctive local attributes of a stay; a place where guests feel immersed in nature
Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, and one destination. that reaches out to our local lifestyle, history and
of five granted to an Australian eco-retreat. Does traditions.
this vindicate what Thala Lodge is all about? All the landscaping has been with native plants.
Seton Prettejohn: Thala Beach Nature Reserve’s When we opened Thala in May 1998, there
membership with National Geographic Unique “Thala Beach Nature Reserve were 40 species on our bird list. Today we have
Lodges is a great recognition of what Thala has around 200 and this is a ringing endorsement
stood for since its inception. Long before the ... sits spectacularly atop a of eco-tourism not only creating stable local
National Geographic Unique Lodges (NGUL) employment but also a force for building and
membership program even existed we had a peninsula with breathtaking restoring biodiversity. Today we are attracting
strong focus on environment and experience. views of untouched coastline visitors from around the globe.
As of just recently there are actually only PDM: When did Thala Lodge open for business?
two properties in Australia that have NGUL and is testament to a family’s How long did it take to build?
membership: ourselves and Lizard Island. The SP: As of this year Thala has been open for
NGUL program is indicative of the future trend vision, hard work and business for 21 years. Prior to opening, many
in travel, with an emphasis on sustainability and sustainable practices. years of planning, applications and building took
benefit to the local community. place before we welcomed our first guest.
PDM: When the lodge was built, there was a vision. PDM: Are there any future plans for the lodge, e.g.
What was the vision and has it changed over the changes, improvements, increase its exposure to
years? Did your dad have a clear idea about the select markets?
concept? How did he come up with the concept? He has always loved the magnificent natural SP: One of the directions we are really pushing
SP: Rob is a local pioneer in the tourism industry. environment of our area and the astonishing ahead with and pioneering is our free on-site
PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 19