A New Pool for Daintree Siesta Guests
Over the last few months we have often said to ourselves ‘What could possibly happen next to delay completion of our pool project?!’
Living in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest often throws challenges at those who live and work here and in the case of this project there have definitely been a few hurdles thrown at us by the weather!
However, we are excited to say that we will finally be launching our new ‘Float’ Pool for Daintree Siesta guests staying in our campground and air-conditioned accommodation at the end of May 2024!
Imagine floating beneath the trees in a rainforest oasis during your stay in the oldest continuous rainforest in the world.
It’s the icing on the cake for your stay at Daintree Siesta – a cooling dip in our peaceful rainforest float pool, cheekily known as the ‘croc pool’.
Why is it the croc pool you may well ask? Well when we bought Daintree Siesta (then known as Lync Haven) in late 2021, there was a 4 meter saltwater crocodile, named Doris, in residence. We decided this was an adventure too far in our move north from Sydney. Doris the croc was relocated by the previous owners (while we were spending some time in COVID hotel quarantine as we crossed the border from NSW to Queensland).
On arrival at Daintree Siesta we had a large enclosed pool amidst the rainforest which was now croc-free but required a bit of work and money to be spent to get it ship-shape for guests so it was put on our ‘future possible project list”.
Then, Austrade announced a grant to help Caravan Park industry businesses improve facilities. We saw an opportunity for an exciting new project. Basically, we decided to convert the old ‘croc’ pool into a relaxing ‘people’ pool in the middle of the rainforest. We applied for funding and received the email saying that we were one of the lucky grant recipients.
Now, you may be thinking, that sounds simple and what could go wrong?
Here’s the low-down on what happened.
Well-Laid Plans & a Tropical North Queensland Timeline
As our pre tree-change careers had meant we were involved in construction industry projects and risk management we had numerous contingencies for weather included in our project plan. We had thought we had it all worked out with months up our sleeve.
But then the Queensland Tropics threw us a rather ‘dry’ season which even the long-term locals found damp. Turns out that emptying the old pool to check the concrete surface didn’t need to happen just once before an inspection by our local pool support team at https://www.portdouglaspoolshop.com.au/ could occur.
In fact it occurred 7 times. Every time Bruno spent a day pumping out the pool it would rain heavily before we knew it and the pool was full again!
Living in the Tropics Lesson Learned 1 – Plan for rain when you least expect it in the rainforest!
Slow Down in the Daintree Rainforest
You’ll have to do things at a slower pace now that you live in the Daintree Rainforest said the locals when we arrived from the city. Time works differently and things take longer to do in the rainforest, they said.
Yes and yes!
Since moving to the Daintree Coast we have learnt many “new” ways of doing things. For example, rather than driving 5 minutes down the road to the local Bunnings or landscape supplier it is now closer to an hour and a half each way with the trailer to collect any project necessities. It can be even longer if you pop a trailer tyre on the way home and need to change it or there are road access controls following tropical cyclones!
Living in the Tropics Lesson Learned 2 – Rainforest time will help you take a slower pace in life!
Cyclone Jasper, a ‘Once in a Lifetime Rain Event’ & Road Closures in the Daintree
You may find that you have planned for the weather. But then the rainforest and Cyclone Jasper throws a curveball.
We were a week or so away from finalising the project when the Cyclone warnings started. We prepared by securing anything that may have been blown away – including putting pool furniture in the new pool – and relaxing in one of our cosy and solid rainforest accommodation rooms with the kids and the dog.
The pool survived the cyclone but the massive rain event within a couple of days turned the whole area into a river. The massive amount of water which flowed through pushed all of our new garden mulch into the pool and washed away the timber framing and the new paths and drainage! The frogs loved it and soon the pool was a tadpole haven!
So, you guessed it, we had to drain the pool again, work out improved water flow and drainage in the area and redo the paths and gardens. All of this while facing road access restrictions between the Daintree Coast and our closest town of Mossman. We had a number of weeks where we were unable to drive south and then, once the road reopened, there were load restrictions which meant that towing the trailer with a load of gravel and mulch was not an immediate option.
Living in the Tropics Lesson Learned 3 – When in the rainforest be fluid and adaptable to reach the best desired outcome using what you have at hand!
Floating in the Daintree Rainforest
The silver lining…
After a year of sweat, tears (and possibly a few swear words!) from Bruno and a few local tradespeople we now have a relaxing pool for our guests to share an immersive rainforest experience during their stay. We are looking forward to enjoying the serenity of the pool at Daintree Siesta.
Speaking to one of our local contractors about the project, now we are on the other side he said, ‘It was frustrating but fun’. When asked why it was fun he told us that, ‘The project was always changing and kept us thinking of new solutions’.
As David Suzuki stated, “Environmentalism is really about seeing our place in the world in a way that humans have always known up until very recently – that we are part of nature – utterly dependent on the natural world for our well being and survival”.
And now that we are getting ready for the grand opening of the pool a quote from the poem Breathe by Beck Hemsley
‘…And she sat there for hours not wanting to leave,
For the forest said nothing, it just let her breathe.’
https://southerncrossreview.org/141/hemsley-breathe.html
The best part? Now that the new and improved pool is finished our guests don’t have to lift a finger and can just lie back and relax while floating in the clear water and gazing at the trees around them!
A Final Rainforest Lesson
There are times when it is best to work with the environment around you and take a deep breath and wait until the rain stops.
Take the time to stay a few nights in the Daintree Rainforest so you can see nature at its most amazing and truly appreciate the gifts and lessons the rainforest has for you.
Living in the Tropics Lesson Learned 4 – The rainforest will let you know what you need to do, just take a moment to stop and listen.
Planning Your Daintree Holiday Today
When you’re planning a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, book your accommodation or a campsite at Daintree Siesta through our website at https://daintreesiesta.com.au/
Our website also has some some ideas of things to do – https://daintreesiesta.com.au/activities-tours/
Or give us a call on 07 4098 9155 (leave a message if we are away from the desk working on our next project or taking a moment to breathe!).
And when you come to stay with us don’t forget to spend a moment or ten floating in our rainforest pool. You’ll have an experience you’ll never forget immersed in nature.
What’s the first thing you need to do to schedule a break to come and discover the Daintree Rainforest?
Note: A big thanks to the Australian government, via Austrade, for contributing tourism grant funding to this project.
Blog Template: © ConversionMinded | All Rights Reserved
