Our Story
Launched in 2023, Daintree Siesta is your place to slow down, settle in and experience the Daintree Rainforest.
Stay amongst the trees at our rainforest campground with powered and unpowered sites, relax in our comfortable air-conditioned accommodation, and enjoy a meal at our licensed on-site restaurant – all surrounded by the incredible natural beauty of the ancient, World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest.
Moe than simply a place to stay, Daintree Siesta is a place to slow down and experience the rainforest.
Wander our private rainforest tracks, cool off in our splash ‘Croc’ pool, listen for the wildlife and take the time to notice what’s around you.
Stay a little longer. Slow down. Experience the Daintree.
Our Journey
Welcome to our home - Daintree Siesta
– and your home whilst staying in the oldest rainforest in the world!
Our family – Bruno, Tamara, Nicolas, Natasha and husky, Opi welcome you to our rainforest haven.
Previous guests may have known our place as Lync Haven. Our family purchased the property in late 2021, beginning a new chapter and relaunching as Daintree Siesta in January 2023.
We’re continuing to shape Daintree Siesta with a love for this remarkable place, and we warmly invite you to become part of its story. We hope you enjoy your time here in the Daintree Rainforest.
Our Philosophy
Daintree Siesta
We aim to make the world a better place for others by providing a relaxing place to immerse in the amazing Daintree Rainforest environment. We want guests to feel that Daintree Siesta is a space they can relax, unwind, connect with each other and nature while treading lightly on a peaceful and awe-inspiring environment. Read on for examples of how we try to do this.
Rest & Restoration
Discover slow travel, rest and restoration at Daintree Siesta in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest.
Listen to an interview with Tamara on ABC FNQ radio discussing our slow-travel rest & restoration philosophy.
Inclusion & Accessibility
- Providing a range of accommodation options so everyone can experience a holiday in the Daintree Rainforest in line with their budget.
- Member of Travel Australia With Kids (TAWK) to increase campground affordability for travelling families – up to two children free for two nights.
- Welcoming those from multicultural and diverse backgrounds whose common thread is wanting to appreciate the natural UNESCO listed World Heritage site around them.
- Accessible accommodation motel room. We have also had guests with accessibility issues stay in our campground (please discuss at time of booking).
- Regular donations to Royal Flying Doctors Service from book exchange jar.
Environment
- Appreciation of the UNESCO World Heritage listed environment in which we work - including staff training such as Wet Tropics Ambassadors program and taking part in local experiences firsthand.
- Reducing single use plastics in restaurant and accommodation - Plastic Free Douglas Shire member and Hotel Pilot participant.
- Limiting room make ups (weekly) to reduce water usage.
- Limiting harmful chemicals for cleaning and other purposes. ENJO fibres are our cleaning product of choice.
- Locally sourcing food and other products where possible to support the local economy and reduce transport impacts for example Mungalli milk, Daintree Tea (amazing tea from next door!) and locally sourced salad items.
- Participating in Cape Kimberley Beach clean up with Tangaora Blue.
- Participating in tree replanting with Rainforest Rescue & Daintree Life both on site and at local locations.
- Energy efficiency modernisation program underway - in 2024 we installed solar battery hybrid system and we are continuously monitoring and implementing energy efficiency reduction principles.
- For every booking we allocate funds for on-site rainforest revegetation.
Community
What makes our community different?
The north of the river Daintree Coast community is a small and complex but one uniting factor is that those who live here love the place they live in.
- Population – at the time of the last census there were a little over 500 people recorded as living in the area north of the Daintree River. The small number of residences are largely hidden from view amongst the trees.
- Car Ferry Access – The main way to get to us is across the Daintree River on the Daintree River Car Ferry. There is no direct road access from Mossman.
- Health Facilities and School – We are very lucky to have both a medical clinic (staffed by a nurse Monday to Friday) and a primary school on the north side of the river.
- Off-grid – we are not connected to the main Australian power grid. All power in the area is currently either generated by diesel or solar (although this is a limited option due to the requirement for extended periods of sunlight in cleared rainforest areas).
- Water – we are not connected to town water. At Daintree Siesta our water comes from deep underground and is tested annually for safety.
- Remote – our location is considered remote and regional. Repairs, servicing and delivery can be more challenging than in metropolitan locations. It can take time to source tradespeople who are willing to make the trip ‘over the river’ and delivery charges can sometimes be enormous. Please be patient when things are not as instantaneous as you may be used to them being.
- Limited internet and phone reception – while a new Telstra mobile tower has recently been installed at Cow Bay there can still be limited reception in the area with all mobile carriers so please do not rely on this and enjoy some digital downtime during your stay. We primarily rely on satellite internet connection to facilitate payments but even this can be disrupted so having a small cash back up supply can be a good idea.
Giving Back
- For every booking we allocate funds to on-site rainforest revegetation projects and weed management.
- Collaborating with other local businesses to enhance the community and increase understanding of our amazing home.
- Members of the local Rural Firefighters.
- Hosting community events including Harmony Day and Big Blue Table dinners.
- Supporting fundraising for local facilities including Alexandra Bay State School - our local primary school with around 10 students, Cow Bay Clinic - our local medical centre & Cow Bay Community Shed.
- Building appreciation of the diversity and interconnectivity of the rainforest with our new Rainforest Connections Walk.