Work and live in the Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest, in Far North Queensland, is surely one of the most special places were I got the luck to live and work in.
Together with Lapland, of course!
Finding a job and moving there has surely been on of the highlights in my Australian Working Holiday journey. Unfortunately, as my year long visa was running out, I was able to spend there only a couple of months. Still enough for having an amazing experience. And saving good money too.
What does living in forest look like?
First of all, I wasn’t actually living IN the forest. Or better, I was, but not as you can imagine.
I love to see people picturing me hanging on a tree like a koala or something.
But for this time my definition of “living in the forest” is more like in a jungle resort with swimming pool and stuff.
Still, I wouldn’t mind to try out the koala mode for a while. Especially the eat-sleep-repeat way of life. But this was not the case yet.
Anyways, despite being mainly made for tourists, my working place was amazingly created to experience the forest at its most. With beautiful wooden cabins hidden between the trees, a basically outdoor restaurant and a crystal clear natural swimming hole.
By the way the place is called The heritage Lodge, if you want to check it out. It might look a bit fancy, but I assure is far more nature than luxury oriented. And the owners are just lovely.
How to get a job in the Daintree
Like in most cases during my working holiday year, I found my job in the forest thank to an announce on a facebook group.
I usually join the ones related to hospitality, or whichever field I am willing to work in. Possibly about the area I am looking for. Type something like backpacker jobs -Australia, Outback, Cairns, whatever. And try to spot opportunities.
The other most common option is Gumtree, where you can choose the area or city as well.
After applying with my resume, I got a phone call from the owner, and planned a visit for a few days later. One of the main requirements for working in a place like this is usually to have a car. I actually had it at that time, but as soon as I finally got the job it was no longer the case. I didn’t lie to my boss, it just broke down when I was driving there. But this is another story.
As you can imagine, the Daintree is a quite remote area.
The closest supermarkets are in Mossman, at about 70 kilometres from my place. But as long as I could drive to the shops for the groceries with my boss every friday, there was not big issues.
So if you feel comfortable with being kind of stuck in your working place, you should manage living there even without a car. And to convince the boss to give you the job. Anyways there are also some small shops along the road, so do not worry too much.
Move to the Rainforest
As you probably already guessed, the easiest way to reach any place around the rainforest is driving. Also the main reason why having your own car is kindly raccomended by every boss. Hichhike is a good option as long as the place you are trying to reach is not too much remote, like chilometres away from the main road. But even in that case you can still walk or ask your boss to sort something out from you. Another good option is to find buddies willing to drive there as well, from your hostel or the usual travellers facebook groups.
Whichever solution you are about to use, there will be just one way to follow. From cairns head straight north passing by places like Palm Cove, Port Douglas and the less touristy Mossman. Also the places where you will be more likely to need a car change when hitchhiking.
Passed Mossman follow the right side driveway between the sugar canes plantations until the river crossing. Remember it runs only between 6 am and midnight, and it costs 18$ one way or 31$ rountrip.
insider tip:
Locals doesn’t have to pay for the ferry. So if you are about working there, ask to your place for a pass. I can’t guarantee they will give you it for free, but it will surely be cheaper
Working days and duties
I got hired as waitress, but since it was a small resort I ended up doing a bit of everything. I actually love that, as works never gets too boring in this way!
My shift mainly was for launch and dinner time. Sometimes I also had to set the buffet and keep the dining area clean while guests were having breakfast, roughly from 7am to 10am. The lunch shift was mainly oriented to the big tour groups stopping along their trip in the forest, and just a few à la carte guests. It usually started around 10 or 11 for cleaning the area and preparing tables and buffet. Then dinner was only from the menu and usually not so crowded.
Other duties have been helping the reception with check-ins and tour bookings. Making coffees and basic drinks at the bar. Doing some basic cleanings and food preps when needed. I’ve also been my boss secretary for a few days when she had to clean up her office.
A nice assigment was to decorate the tables and dining area with flowers. With all the effort to do the possible best job, but already knowing my boss was going to change it. Among the many other jobs, she has been a florist for a while, so nothing was professional enough for her. At least I got more luck with Christmas decorations. We started in November akready.
Visas and stuff
I will not get too specific on visa rules, better explained in posts like this one. But for the lucky ones holding a 462 Working Visa it also count for getting the 88 days required to apply for a second year. So my dear Spanish, Canadian, American and South American friends. You can’t imagine how much I envy you. I got to pick strawberries and pack potatoes to achieve the same result.
I actually didn’t, as I left it after three weeks. So no more visa for me! No need to say how much I regret the choice now. But I have been lazy, and that is the result.
One of my colleagues was so jealous of my relationship with the owner that he used to call me Baby Boss! I admit I’ve had very good times working for her.
I can easily say Vicky has been my best boss by far.
She is a fun and strong woman, and she has basically done any possible job before buying the place. We are quite similar in this sense, I am really try to get some experience in any kind of role. And maybe, one day, become a good boss too. We got the chance to talk a lot driving to Mossman for the weekly shopping. Once we started driving down a random way, and she explained me she used to explore unknown roads to discover new places. Or to try out all the possible ways to get to a place without even check it on the maps. She’s basically my grown-up version! I consider her a very inspiring person to work for.
On top, she plans the best staff Christmas parties ever!
Saving money
The pay was fairly good too: 26 $ per hour, 30$ on saturdays, 35$ sundays and double on public holidays. I admit I felt quite guilty seeing my paycheck after a 10 hours long holiday shift.
Also, there are not many money wasting possibilities, so it is a good place for saving up. Pretty much like the outback.. maybe slightly less lucrative, but greener and more adventurous for sure.
But of course you need to pay it back always doing you best. Happy customers, happy owner, happy workers, happy everyone. That’s how a good business should work.
Free time
In the free time we were allowed to use the swimming pool and all the facilities, as long as no guests were around. Or could be disturbed by our music.
About this topic, I have to admit I could be responsible for the only complain we got (sorry boss). I should have guessed people come to the forest to hear its sounds, not some loud raggaeton. Or dine in a fancy place listening to Eminem in the background.
Since English is not my first language, I have to pay particular attention to the song to understand its lyric. But Australian well, they obviously don’t.
Days off in the Daintree Rainforest
When I had more time, like days off or something, I used to go for a trip. Especially when someone else was off too, friends where coming for a visit, or the boss was driving to the supermarket. Shopping time!
With no need to cross the Daintree River, we went hiking to Thorton’s Peak and along pretty much every creek. Swimming included, as we often had to go from a side to another to keep going. Head to one of the hidden hippie communities, jump in a swimming hole or get a Daintree Ice Cream. My really favorite one!!
There are also many eateries to check out, ranging from crocodile burgers to fine dining or pizza. And obviously pubs. But I got a full article on what to do in the daintree here.
I often used to walk to the beach, but this time without swimming,,.. You know, CROCODILES!
beyond the Daintree River
A couple of times we also went all the way to the civilization to visit the Mossman Gorge or Port Douglas. Just remember to don’t join a Latin Party till late if you don’t know how to drive back. Especially if you are going to work the following morning.
From Port Douglas you can also take a diving trip to the reef. You probably better look for an hostel there, as boats usually leave before 8am.
When to Go: picking the right season
The North queensland in located in a Tropical area, where the weather is very crucial. Summers are very hot and very humid, and it rains like crazy. I was there in Springtime, from september to november. Luckily that year the wet season started a little bit later, so I haven’t experienced much floodings. But we were already start to get less tourists, and the season was going towards its lowest.
So if you are planning a visit there, definitely do it between may and october. Even more if you are looking for a job, as there will be more demand. Don’t worry, even winters are everything but cold!
About this topic, I have a TRAVEL TIP to share with you:
Since Australia is so huge and different, you can basically follow the perfect weather during a one year time. Summers are too hot and humid in the north, but nice in the south. Winters are surprisingly cold in the south, but nice and warm in the north. And then there are areas like the Gold Coast, were everything is always perfect. Or like the outback, where.. well, it must have and hidden charm.
I’ve personally started my journey from the Gold Coast in November and stayed in the NSW coast from january until march. Then I went to visit Tasmania, Melbourne and Adelaide, and moved north in may. Except Tassie, still a bit cold for camping, I can say it has been a pretty good plan.
When I was in Cairns I remember lots of people from Melbourne escaping the cold there. And we were going around in shorts and sandals. That’s funny!
In conclusion..
whether you are planning to spend some time working and living there. Or you just end up around north Queensland for some days, don’t miss the chance to take a look at the amazing Daintree!
And if you are still wondering what to do there, we also have a specific post here
Thank you for taking the time to read this post!
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