O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat

We stayed at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat for a weekend leading up to the Christmas holidays, and in many ways it delivered exactly what you hope for from a rainforest escape. The rooms are excellent, and the surrounding birdlife is truly something special. Waking up to birdsong and sharing the balcony with curious feathered visitors is a highlight and easily one of the most memorable parts of the stay. If you love nature, this aspect alone is worth the trip. We booked the full room-and-food package. While the convenience was appreciated, the food itself ranged from okay to average and didn’t quite match the premium price point. Service was also inconsistent. One day the staff made you feel genuinely welcomed and well looked after, and the next day the experience felt rushed or disengaged. One morning breakfast was moved to the pavilion, which unfortunately turned into a bit of chaos. Birds were actively trying to eat off plates, and it was uncomfortable watching management appear more focused on their own meals than on managing the situation or guest experience. It pulled you out of what should have been a relaxed start to the day. Pricing is on the high side, particularly for food and coffee, though to be fair this feels fairly standard across Australia at the moment. Still, at these prices, expectations are naturally higher. Overall, it’s a lovely place to stay with an incredible natural setting and unforgettable birdlife. With more consistent service and a stronger food experience, O’Reilly’s could easily turn a nice getaway into a truly special one.

We booked the indulgence summer package , and what a beautiful surprise it was . We are locals from Brisbane whom love a great little Getaway without the huge travel involved . 2 hours away from Brisbane , and you enter into an ancient world with some of the best hiking in the world . We loved the lodge , which had its charm. Our room was decent, clean and very comfortable. The buffet breakfast and dinner was great each evening and the service and staff were lovely . We created a nice little friendship with Stacey whom was super kind and fun. Our hike adventure was the Box Circuit , a great hike with a picnic and swim option . Ancient trees and pristine forest 🌳 We finished our hike with a massage from Lost World Spa and it was very good . This venue is great for family’s or couples . It’s not the cheapest place but when you get here , it all sees rather reasonable as you are out of town . It was lovely to see the CEO Shane O’Reilly running around helping too. What a great QLD gem.