Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
3 Feb 2026
Reply rate
93.8 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
7
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We’re Michael and Jess, an American couple who settled in Australia over 30 years ago after sailing here from Boston. We live in the bush on a waterfront property overlooking the Whitsunday Islands. We enjoy an outdoor lifestyle centred around the ocean, including boating, scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing, and exploring the islands and reef surrounding our home.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Politics / Social justice
Technology
Sustainability
Culture
Movies & TV
Cooking & food
Writing
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Books
Art & design
Nature
Sailing / Boating
Beach
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The Whitsundays is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most beautiful regions. The Great Barrier Reef is on our doorstep, along with the 74 Whitsunday Islands. Our home is adjacent to the beach, just a three-minute walk from the cabin, where guests can watch sunsets over the bay (a rarity on the east coast). Guests will enjoy an off-grid experience, living independently on solar power and rainwater, in their own private space.
Help
Our property spans 70 acres, and we also own an old timber boat, so there is always a variety of hands-on projects underway. Help may include general property and vessel upkeep and maintenance, house cleaning, gardening and landscaping, and occasional odd jobs such as sanding and painting. We also enjoy good food and wine and would be delighted to host anyone who feels confident in the kitchen.
No prior experience is necessary, but if you have a background in farm work, trades, or other practical skills that suit this lifestyle, we’re very happy to tailor tasks to your interests and abilities.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Travellers are provided with a private, free-standing one-bedroom cabin with its own fully equipped kitchen and bathroom. The cabin features air-conditioning in the bedroom, a spacious living area, and ocean views overlooking Gloucester Island. It is a five-minute walk to the main house where we live, and three minutes’ walk to a beach that’s perfect for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and exploring.
What else ...
We are located a 40-minute drive from the nearest town centre, Airlie Beach, so having your own car is required. The airport is also approximately 40 minutes away, and there is no public transport.
Living on the water allows easy access to swimming and fishing, and the Whitsundays climate is warm and sunny from April through December. Nearby are two beach bar resort & restaurants that welcome day visitors. Our home is surrounded by bushland, eucalyptus trees, and a variety of birds and wildlife. If you love nature and would like to experience a unique off-grid coastal lifestyle in Australia, we’d love to arrange a chat and learn more about you.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (6)
From the very beginning, I felt truly welcome. The work was varied and enjoyable, including helping around the house, cleaning the pool, dusting, gardening and general… read more
The place itself feels like paradise, with the beach just a three-minute walk from the cabin. We were able to head out on our own kayak trips, and even learnt how to catch fish and squid straight from the shore. Although the location is… read more
During our stay, we went on an incredible four-day cruise,… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
From the very beginning, I felt truly welcome. The work was varied and enjoyable, including helping around the house, cleaning the pool, dusting, gardening and general… read more
The place itself feels like paradise, with the beach just a three-minute walk from the cabin. We were able to head out on our own kayak trips, and even learnt how to catch fish and squid straight from the shore. Although the location is… read more
During our stay, we went on an incredible four-day cruise,… read more
We helped them with them old wooden boat sanding and painting it before his return in water.
The place where they live is quite and so beautiful, and it's the same with the house, the pool, the sunsets and everything around.
We try to let some one pair of shoes to go there again but… read more
I learned so many things about offgrid lifestyle and boating.
I'm so glad i had the opportunity to meet those people.
The boat tour with… read more
The accomodation is just incredible, right next to the ocean, and the trips we had with them on their boat were definitely one… read more
