Reef Cottage Wonga Beach

02/01/2026

09/01/2024

Here’s a look at how our beautiful paradise is slowly returning after the devastation of the recent double disasters here at Wonga Beach -
First pics 22/12/23 last 2 pics from 8/1/24

16/09/2022

Tropical North Queensland is the place to be. Limited weeks are becoming available here at Reef Cottage Wonga Beach this summer. Message us for details 🌴

31/10/2021

Wonga Beach doing her thing….

24/09/2021

A slice of paradise at Wonga Beach

17/06/2020

01/09/2018

Sugar Cane Harvest Season
The biggest agricultural crop grown in Queensland (95% of national production) predominates in the north east where our climate with reliable rainfall is ideal for sugar cane farming. Mossman Mill built in 1897 produces 2% of the country’s output and busiest during the harvest season which we’re in now (July to November) when it is essential to cut and transport the fresh cane by 12-18 hours to the mill. Work is continuous 24 hours a day and you will often see cute looking trams crossing the road on the railway line with their load (good time to stop and take that holiday memory shot!). In the old days, the cane field was set on fire first and then cut by hand using machetes. Nowadays, this burning method is rarely used and mostly to chase away venous snakes and rodents. It was a stroke of luck that we saw this controlled cane fire one evening this week at Cooya while driving along the Great Barrier Reef Drive to Wonga Beach. At its strongest, the flames leapt 25m up the sky – see the top of the sugar cane crop to the tip of the fire - with palpable heat some 20m away! The intensity went down within 5 mins to about 5m as soon as the cane leaves were all burnt and it lingered for half an hour thereafter. It was nevertheless quite a spectacle, a reminder of a way of life when farmers sit around burning fires to share stories, that’s seldom seen nowadays!

28/08/2018

Something to share with you - Hot New Restaurant!
An exciting new entrant into the Far North Queensland’s dining scene is Arabella’s at Port Douglas, introduced by owners Troy and Sarah Holland early this year. We had a lovely opportunity to sample their multi-cuisine in the Full Moon Chilli Crab Degustation Night on Sunday 26-Aug-18. The gastronomic offerings were elegantly paired with choice wines. With courses based on dim sum toast, spring roll, miso custard, spaghetti and coconut rice, the main ingredient of fresh crab was skilfully coaxed into luscious gorgeousness. Chef Daniel Watt had diners absolutely locked into his creative blend of flavours using condiment mixtures to surround the flesh of the crab. The result was a balance of full bodied succulence without overwhelming the taste buds. In particular, there was room to savour specially selected wines for every course. To finish off, the dessert of caramelised white chocolate with fruit decorated mandarin semifreddo was just delightful. On a balmy bright night, the experience was deliciously memorable! We had a look at their dinner menu – great selection of quality meats cooked together with bold yet thoughtful combination of seasoning and vegetables. They have signature dishes (steak and fish) that looked tantalising even on paper but it is the list of entrees that are really inviting – tapas style, imaginative, tasty and easy on the digestive system – you can eat your way all night! With interior design creating a laidback tropical feel and casual wall cinema shows (Casa Blanca on our night) it is the place to hang out when you go to dine at Port Douglas. Half an hour away from Reef Cottage, they are currently open from 12:00 midday to 11.00 pm, and from 8.00 am on Sunday’s for breakfast. Reservation recommended, call: 07-4099-6072

18/08/2018

Travel Food Ideas
If you yearn for spices when you travel – especially if you have a favourite combo - why not cook your own meals using pre-packed seasoning? “Wild About Spices” is the brainchild of Sally Sutherland. A lover of all things spicy, Sally has been cooking Indian food since 1974. Her interest has even led her to spend her holidays in a spice plantation in India (historical centre of world spice trade) and also visit the spice markets of Delhi and Calcutta. Seeing a gap in our local market, Sally came up with a great idea to market what she enjoys – spices! Wild About Spices offers 13 different dinner packs combining quality spices plus their recipes and another 35 types of spice mix. Further, there is a selection of about 50 different spices. What can be more convenient than taking along your favourite spices in travel-friendly packs for use in your vacation rental! Sally is at her stall in the Mossman Saturday Market or Port Douglas Sunday Market. If you miss the markets (!) a small range of the gorgeous spice mixes and designer dinner packs are sold at Yum Yums Health Foods in Mossman. You can also choose the products on-line at: https://salonhols.wixsite.com/wildaboutspices. Have a lovely time enjoying lively flavours in your cooking anywhere in the world!

10/08/2018

The Douglas Arts Studio Gallery - DAB's current art exhibition will officially end tomorrow 11-Aug-18. However, there will still be works of art that'll stay on display for another week or so. The colour theme is Black And White and a great deal of public interest has been raised. Monochrome in art is not always confined to one or two colours. The range of grays between black and white used in a selection of media is what has raised the level of interest in the exhibition! We're sharing some photos of the lovely products - painting, pottery, glass art, drawing, photography, printmaking, felting, weaving etc. DAB is located just 15 minutes away from Reef Cottage. Have a great day at the gallery!

05/08/2018

As the weather clears up, it’s a great opportunity to see the world’s oldest rainforest from the top. Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours is a very popular leisure pursuit as you can enjoy sights from the rainforest to the reef along ziplines 20 m above ground. Good for a broad age range, we even had a German guest family with a 91 year old grandmother one year ago, who thoroughly enjoyed the zippy ride. The site has recently installed a new grandstand offering panoramic views of our heritage jungle. Just 45 minutes away from Reef Cottage. Have a lovely time soaking in the green!