Mr & Mrs Smith

Thirty-one Degrees

Port Douglas, Australia

Tucked between the Daintree Rainforest and the Coral Sea, just south of Port Douglas, Thirty-one Degrees takes its measured moniker from the area's enviable year-round temperature. Since Australian interiors guru David Katon gave the 1970s fisherman's cottage a dazzling all-white makeover, this two-bedroom retreat has been named one of the world's best holiday houses. Don't worry, though, the accolade hasn't gone to its head – this carefree coastal escape is still best enjoyed with a sarong slung around your hips and sand between your toes.

Need to know

• Rates information For stays of three–four nights, AU$600 a night; for stays of five nights or more, AU$500 a night.
• Ideal for Two couples or a family with beachy-keen kids.
• Sleeps Four.
• Property style Luxe beach house nestled among heritage-listed rainforest.
• Grounds Sitting pretty on a secluded stretch of Oak Beach, Thirty-one Degrees is sandwiched between the Daintree Rainforest and the sparkling Coral Sea. The private grounds are planted with coconut trees and tropical foliage.
• Minimum hire Three-night minimum stay.
• Children Children can shack up in the second bedroom, and rollaway beds can be arranged on request for AU$50. More...
• Booking process Upon booking, a confirmation agreement listing terms, conditions and cancellation policy will be sent out. Bookings will be confirmed on receipt of full payment and signed acceptance of rules and conditions. The person who makes the booking must be the same one changing or cancelling the booking and co-ordinating payment. Cash, company cheques and some credit cards are accepted. Rates are subject to change without notice. Credit card merchant fee applies.
• Also There's an additional AU$50 linen charge for each bedroom used. Non-smoking throughout; no pets allowed.

Floor plan

• Open-plan living and louvered windows make for a light-filled space that captures the sea breeze. For afternoon naps, it's hard to go past the gentle whir of a ceiling fan, but there's also air-conditioning in both bedrooms should you need a quick Arctic blast.
• Bedrooms Both bedrooms have queen-size beds, bedside tables with reading lamps and clothing racks for storage. The larger main bedroom has louvered windows that face the tree-lined fence for absolute privacy; the second bedroom overlooks Oak Beach. Rollaway beds can be arranged for AU$50.
• Kitchen A modern black marble benchtop runs the length of the kitchen, plus there's an oven, gas cooktop, dishwasher, family-sized fridge and a pantry stocked with basic provisions, such as salt, pepper, coffee and olive oil.
  
• Living room Adjoining the kitchen, the spacious living room has two three-seater couches, a low-slung coffee table, white cube seats and woven rattan armchairs.
  
• Dining room A 10-seater dining table with iconic Fritz Hansen chairs will easily accommodate family and friends.
  
• Poolside The curvaceous saltwater swimming pool sure isn't built for laps, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in setting. This shady, secluded spot is flanked by rock gardens, lush greenery and a small timber deck with sunloungers. An alfresco bath tub on a raised platform screams out for cheeky soaks à deux.
• Gardens This deep, narrow block is front-and-centre on the Coral Sea, with the rainforest at its back and pebbled, palm-spiked gardens giving on to the soft sands of Oak Beach. Hammocks are trussed between coconut trees, and cushioned day-beds dot the way to the water's edge.
• Private parking There's ample parking on the street.