Activities

Lodge Activities

Bush walking, rainforest walks, bird-watching, rest and relaxation, dvd library, selection of fiction and non-fiction books together with natural history reference books, platypus viewing, games, hammocks, magazines, massage by arrangement, artist’s paradise, photography, wildlife spotting, central fireplace, central BBQ facility, exploring the rainforest, picnicking, swimming in spring fed freshwater creek, fishing, kayaks.

Bird-watching

Wonderful bird-watching opportunities abound at Sweetwater with its variation in habitats over our 160 acres. Wander at will around the the properties walking tracks, through mountain rainforest, down to the creek, in the open grassland and woodland, and around the honey flora gardens surrounding the lodges.
Listen out for the Curlews with their haunting cries and the “falling bomb” sound made by our resident Lesser Sooty Owls at night time.
Ask your hosts to organise for a guided tour around Sweetwater and the local area with one of our leading local expert birders.
Sweetwater Lodge – Julatten, Bicentenary Park – Mt Molloy, Mt Lewis State Forest – Julatten, Kingfisher Park – Julatten, Close-up Birding Adventures – Julatten, Quaids Lakes (15 mins.), Abattoir Swamp bird hide – Julatten (5 mins.), Mareeba Wetlands(20 mins.), Hasties Swamp (35 mins.), Fine Feathered Tours, Natural History Tours.
Sweetwater Lodge recommends Close-up Birding Adventures with local birding expert David “Chook” Crawford who can tailor make a day tour for you in this exceptional area of the Far North, (minimum 2 people, maximum 4), bookings essential.

Great Barrier Reef and Estuary Tours

Poseidon Outer Barrier Reef – snorkel and dive
Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef
Wavelength Outer Barrier Reef
Lady Douglas – Port Douglas inlet – crocodile spotting
Solar Whisper – Daintree River

Rainforest

World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge (Daintree National Park) and Kuku Yulangi Tours, Cape Tribulation, Kuranda Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway, Daintree Discovery Centre, Jindalba Boardwalk, Cooper’s Creek.

Shopping

Port Douglas – Great shopping at the nearby resort town of Port Douglas.
Enjoy leisurely shopping among the sophisticated shops in the main street of Palm Cove Village amidst the famous magnificent paperbark trees.
Visit galleries and specialised arts and crafts in Kuranda Village.

Markets

Port Douglas Sunday Markets 8.00 – 2.00pm
Kuranda Heritage Markets 10.00 – 3.00pm daily
Cairns Esplanade Markets – Saturday 8.00-3.00pm
Yungaburra – every fourth Sunday of the month
Mareeba Markets – Every second and fifth Sunday 7.00 – 12 noon
Rusty’s produce and tropical fruit market – Cairns Fri, Sat. and Sun. 7.00 – 2.00pm
Farmer’s Markets at the Pier – Cairns Saurday mornings only.
Mossman Markets – Saturday 7.00 – 12.00 noon

Restaurants / Bars / Dining

Local
National Hotel, Mt Molloy
Mexican Cafe, Mt Molloy
Highlander Tavern, Julatten

Daintree
The Daintree Teahouse – offer superb wild caught barramundi and tropical fruit talks.

Port Douglas
Sweetwater Lodge recommends the following eateries:
Salsa Bar and Grill, On the Inlet, Lure, Zeus Greek restaurant, Nautilus, Bistro 3, Sea Bean, The Beach Shack, Port Douglas Yacht Club and for refreshing drinks:
Port Douglas and District Combined Clubs, HEmmingway’s Brewery, Central Hotel, Courthouse Hotel and the Ironbar.

Tropical Tablelands

Explore Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine, Lake Tinnaroo, Waterfall Circuit, Millaa Millaa Falls, Malanda Organic Dairy and cheese tasting, Granite Gorge, Crystal Caves – Atherton, Mareeba Coffee Works, Skybury Coffee Centre, Mt Uncle Distillery, The Golden Drop Mango winery – Mareeba, Historical Herberton Village.

National Parks / Gardens / Museums

Daintree National Park, Mowbray National Park, Kuranda National Park, Wooroonooran National Park, Mt Lewis State Reserve, Mossman Gorge (part of Daintree National Park), Cairns Botanical Gardens, Peter’s Arboretum – Whyanbeel, The Botanical Ark – Whyanbeel Valley, Daintree Ice Cream Company and tropical fruit gardens, Mareeba Heritage Museum, Davies Creek.

Golf Courses / Clubs

Mossman, Sheraton Mirage, Peppers Links, Mareeba, Paradise Palms, Port Douglas Yacht Club, Port Douglas Surf Lifesaving Club, Julatten Tennis club, Mossman Bowls Club, Port Douglas and Mossman Combined Clubs.

Fishing

Outer Barrier Reef Fishing Tours, Catch and Release Estuary Fishing, Sports fishing, Local Creeks and Rivers, Public Jetty in Port Douglas.

Aerial

GBH Helicopter Tours, Hot Air ballooning – Mareeba, Mareeba Warbird Adventures, Jungle Surfing, Skyrail.

Horse Riding

Blackmountain Horse Trails – Julatten, Cape Tribulation Beach rides, Wonga Beach horse-rides, Blazing Saddles – Kuranda.