VIDEO: Daintree Eco Lodge bounces back to business after months of blood, sweat and tears following Jasper, floods

OPEN

Byron Filmer

Junior Reporter

Email Byron
Last updated:
Richmond Sear. Video and pictures: Bryon Filmer
The aftermath of last December's flood.

Well-known Daintree resort the Daintree Eco Lodge is set to reopen today almost three months after heavy rain post Tropical Cyclone Jasper devastated the Lodge's low-lying restaurant, as well as three of their high-end luxury rooms.

The journey to reopening has been a long one for the Daintree Eco Lodge. The lower buildings of the resort were flooded completely by the Daintree River which reached heights of up to 14 metres in late December 2023.

General Manager Richmond Sear has led the rebuilding efforts, working tirelessly to return the Daintree Eco Lodge to the cultural and luxury experience it once was. Mr Sear spoke with Newsport about the work that has been done over the past few months.

 

“The flood itself did a significant amount of damage… we lost basically everything including kitchen equipment and glassware. Not too much was salvageable, it was a huge clean-up for the first few weeks,” Mr Sear stated.

“Fortunately, we’ve been able to get all the necessary trades in to help, all of which are dedicated to the cause of getting this place back up and running."

Upon reopening the Daintree Eco Lodge seeks to completely revitalise the experience in which they offer.

The new range of activities includes a beekeeping experience, an interactive kitchen, cocktail classes and new guided walks around the property.

Mr Sear also mentioned that several Indigenous immersion experiences will also be set up in the near future.

“Unfortunately, what’s happened has happened, but overall, we’ve seen this as an opportunity to improve on what we had previously," he said.

Mr Sear claims that since the disaster they have coined the phrase ‘build back better’ and it is this philosophy that has backed the rebuild.

It was only in late 2023 that Intrepid Travel acquired the Daintree Eco Lodge which is also when Mr Sear took his position as general manager.

“Coming previously from the desert this isn’t something I expected to happen a month and a half into the job," he said.

“But overall, it’s been an experience in itself and I couldn’t be more grateful for the company (Intrepid Travel) who have been supporting me and our staff throughout this period."

 

Last year's flood waters caused major damage to the lodge.

Support public interest journalism

Help us to continue covering local stories that matter. Please consider supporting below.

Got a news tip?

Send a news tip or submit a letter to the Newsport Editor here.

Comments

Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.