Cockatoo Hill Retreat — Hotel in Diwan

This is a really special place. Everything everyone else has written about this place– the view, etc., is all true, especially the fact that part of what makes it so special is the owner, Carmen. My partner and I came here for a holiday, and she really took the time to show us everything about what we could do in the Daintree, and call ahead for us to restaurants, etc. ||||She told us where the good food was, what the best things to see were, and she was right. She also made us jam out of local tropical fruit in the morning for breakfast, and served it with hot croissants. It's been 6 weeks since our stay, and I still occasionally think about the jam, and how great Carmen is. I also left a ring by accident in our room, and she mailed it back to me at no charge. ||||Beyond that, everything at Cockatoo Hill is in great taste. Maybe it's because Carmen's French and the French often have a great aesthetic sense? haha. In any case, the huts are so cool– simple but still luxurious, where the details are given a personal touch. Every part of your stay has breathtaking views– your room, the pool, the main house. ||||One note: the Internet throughout the Daintree isn't great, so this should be a place where you go to turn off from life and really get away. It's not somewhere you should go if you want/need to respond to a lot of work emails. But who wants that? ||||Highly recommend this place. You're not just paying for luxury when you stay at Cockatoo Hill– you're paying for a memory, and you most likely won't forget your time there. ||||Thank...

Total seclusion and serenity! Far away from the hustle and bustle and some of the more touristy places. Nothing but the treetop views all the way to the ocean, and the sounds of the rainforest.

Our cabin was one of only four at this ‘no kids’ hideaway, which was beautifully appointed with king size bed and crisp white bedding. Very comfy over the 5 nights.

After a full day of walking through the rainforest, and cassowary spotting, there was nothing more rejuvenating than taking a cooling dip in the swimming pool that overlooks the surrounding rainforest. Many bird species were spotted from this position.

Carmen is the hostess, she has lived there for many years, and has many beautiful stories to share, and is quite the accomplished wildlife photographer. Her tropical fruit salad and croissant breakfasts are abundant and fresh.

4WD / all wheel drive access only. tropical strength bug spray a must for the region.

Highly recommend, and would love to stay there again. My partner and I completely understand why there are so many repeat guests to this...

Absolutely stunning! Great to read that Carmen still runs the place. We spent a few days/nights there 11 years ago and it was simply perfect. The location, the view, the care that is put into the place, the pool, the host, breakfast with fresh fruit-salad from fruits on the property, in the evening a chat on the snake bar, going through the photo-albums on how the place was built. Back then we have been totally off-reception in the area of our cabin and it was great to spend time without Net, not sure if this still is. Carmen pointing us to a secure spot in a nearby Creek where we had the ability to swim with turtles, the great rainforest tour with Piggy, ..... This place is something very special and everyone who has the chance to go there should do it. It can't be highly enough...