Mark And Janelle
Daintree Rainforest Village
- We are owners of the local petrol station, and are home to the BIGGEST little SUPERMARKET in the UNIVERSE and we are also hosts of Australia’s most beautiful campground.
- daintreerainforestvillage.com.au
- We live in a hamlet called Diwan which is on Cape Tribulation Road halfway between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation…. right in amongst the rainforest and the mountains.
- We have been here since 2017
What attracted you to the Daintree Coast?
We came here to find a little weekender to live in while Mark was working on a sail and snorkel tour out of Cape Tribulation. We stumbled across the FOR SALE sign on the servo and could not stop thinking about it. We decided that we would prefer to be self employed and as we have both worked in hospitality, tourism and retail…this was a good fit. We also had lived off grid for years previously, so that was not an obstacle for us.
So, really, it was the business that attracted us to the Daintree Coast. We had all the skills needed to polish up this beautiful property and make a good living too. We were really attracted to the challenge of creating something special and to bring a valuable service to the community.
Where did you previously live?
Originally from New Zealand and South Coast NSW, we then spent many years in the NSW northern rivers area. We raised a family and had an organic farm while building a 45 foot catamaran. In 2012 we hit the high seas and spent the next five years sailing all parts of east coast Australia….. exploring all of the islands and all of the rivers and inlets, creeks and lakes. In 2017, on our way back south from a month at Lizard Island we stopped in at Port Douglas to earn a bit of dosh, (sailing is expensive!) And that’s where this latest chapter began.
What made you/your family move here?
The two toughest parts about living here is being so far from family and friends… but almost everyone who lives here has relatives scattered far and wide, so we are all in the same boat. We sneak off now and then to get some grandchildren time and although our families visit us here from time to time, it is a big excursion for them to get here. The other drawback is that you cannot swim in the ocean even though it is often excruciatingly beautiful!
But we end up staying here because our business is absorbing and rewarding. The view from our home is breathtaking every day and the wildlife is extraordinary and unique. We love the wild cassowaries, bandicoots, tree kangaroos and goannas and I am a respectful fan of the estuarine crocodile.
What do you like to do with your time here?
Fishing, crabbing, gardening is where we spend our leisure time. Reef fishing is an exciting past time and a lot the marine wildlife on the reef is unique to this area too. It is a special place.
What changes have you seen whilst living here?
In seven years, we have seen three major floods, one powerful cyclone and a million landslides. We have seen familiar cassowaries revisit us to show off their new chicks. One of the privileges of owning a community hub like ours is that we get to welcome all of the new locals as they find their way around their new environment.
What is something you wish you knew about before moving here?
I wish I knew how busy I was going to be! But I’m not sure what you could do about that.
What do you see/or would like to see for future of the Daintree Coast region?
I would like to see a better management and eradication of feral pigs, they are the biggest threat to a healthy rainforest and all of its inhabitants.
