“I grew up in the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, which was a beautiful, forested area, but the cold eventually drove me north. “When I found the Daintree, I knew I was home,” Mark explained. 

Mark lives off-grid, generating his own power with solar and bio-gas.

“You can cook with rotting veggies!” he laughed, explaining how he turns food scraps into cooking gas. His self-sufficient lifestyle mirrors his approach to real estate.

“The Daintree is pure in every sense. Pure air, pure water, pure lifestyle,” he said. "Everywhere you look, there's beauty." 

Mark and his wife also enjoy the beauty of the Daintree, from the beaches to the rainforest, making every day feel like a holiday. “It’s a beautiful place to live,” Mark said. “It heals.”

Helping people find their paradise

Mark’s passion for the region is clear, and he loves helping people find their own piece of it.

With experience in national and international marketing and a hands-on approach, Mark helps clients find the right home to suit their lifestyle.

“The Daintree offers something for everyone, from smaller homes on a few acres to larger properties with ocean views,” he said.

“It’s still affordable compared to other places. You can find a good house with off-grid systems for around $500,000. Many properties even have fruit trees or space to add them.”

While off-grid living isn’t for everyone, Mark believes it’s perfect for those who embrace it. He recalled a couple who moved from Sydney to Cow Bay and initially found the transition challenging. 

“Now, they’re thriving, building veggie gardens, a greenhouse, and a walking track to their own swimming hole,” Mark explained.

“They arrived exhausted from city life, and now they’re full of energy. It’s amazing what the Daintree can do for people.”

Mark’s advice for anyone thinking about moving to the Daintree is simple: “Just do it. The lifestyle is incredible, pure air, clean water, fresh food. It’s a place that heals. And if it’s not for you, you can always sell.”