I have now stayed at Lilybank 3 times and thoroughly recommend it to those travelers who are "over" the all too familiar look, smell and feel of multi-national commercial accommodation. Lilybank is a beautiful, traditional "Queenslander" - a double story Victorian timber building in large gardens with rainforest pools - one of which you can swim in - and gorgeous verandahs with stunning views of the surrounding rainforest clad hills. The rooms are exquisite - French doors and louver windows, fans and air conditioning, really - really comfortable beds with crisp linen, and very accommodating bathrooms. I have very good sleeps every night because the natural air is circulating and I am just - well - comfortable. Add to this the generosity of Pat, Mike and Jo - the BEST breakfasts including their home-made jams, and not to mention hand-made soaps, an interesting cockatoo, the BEST spaniels, very wise green tree frogs and stunning HUGE stag beetles... And now you get it. If you want excellent conversation around the groaning breakfast table with the most interesting fellow travelers, in the kind and generous company of your hosts, and all in the Garden of Eden - don't miss the opportunity to visit Lilybank. I travel a lot in my work, and I look for something restorative in my accommodation choices - Lilybank works for me every time. But Lilybank is not only for the workers - it is also for those who are hollidaying and want to experience Australia rather than a developer's return on investment.

We stayed in the cottage which was a large, very basic room. Window in bath was broken and did not close so bugs came in. We had to keep the bath door closed all the time so the bath was not covered by the AC and so it was hot. Fodors and other reviews said it was "pristine" but we found it worn and not as attractive as the internet photos which must have been taken years ago. We also felt the inside lounge had seen better days and never went there. Breakfast was not as luscious as pictured either. For our two night stay to just do the Skyrail to Kuranda, we didn't have a car and had been told the bus service was adequate. However, bus service was very limited and we had to tell the bus drivers where the B&B was in the dark. We did not feel comfortable at the bus stop after dark either. Restaurant shown nearby was closed and for sale and no food was available on Monday night. Thank heaven we grabbed a Subway sandwich at the bus stop, just before the 6:30pm bus or we would have had to wait for the 8:30 bus. Without a car, better to stay in town.

We very much enjoyed the home cooked breakfasts in the unique atmosphere of their breakfast nook with indoor lily pond! Pat and Mike were hospitable and shared good sightseeing advice when asked. They gave us lots of privacy when we didnt seek them out. We enjoyed the pool and the open space of our rooms on the upper floor which were air conditioned at night. We had kitchen area , Tv area with reference books on Australia's highlights and cd's if we wanted to play music. We had nice clean bathrooms and everything we needed. We stayed three or four nights and were happy throughout.

I totally disagree with that ridiculous last review!! If you want 6 star then go to Versace and pay an arm and a leg for it!!!

Mike and Pat are warm and welcoming and bend over backwards to ensure your stay is pleasant.

I have been staying here on a regular basis for over one year now and I find it great value, in a great location close to shops and eating options and only a stones throw from the airport.
The lizards on the wall that were mentioned are harmless geckos that keep bugs away (get a grip whoever wrote that) - you will find these all over Cairns, the bedrooms are comfortable with their own bathroom, there is a spacious family room with dining table, kitchen facilities and a large wrap around verandah overlooking the pool.

I look forward to my next stay soon.