What’s it like living and working on a remote island with your significant other? Orpheus Island Lodge team members Elise Sarantou and Liam Hay share their stories about how they ended up living the island life, their career growth, and what it’s like sharing the experience side-by-side.
Tell us about your career pathway with Morris Escapes. How did you end up working on Orpheus Island and what roles have you had?
Elise: I spent the COVID lockdown years at home in Adelaide working in the hospitality and tourism industry – first at a backpackers’ which was eventually shut down, and then at the local pub. I’d heard of Orpheus Island through my cousin who worked there in the restaurant.
At one stage the island was really busy and desperate for staff because borders in Australia had opened but international travel hadn’t started. So, my cousin called me and asked if I’d be interested in going up to work as a food and beverage attendant. I was itching to get out of Adelaide and had been considering doing some remote work for a while, so I jumped at the opportunity.
I started working on Orpheus in May 2021 and completed the season before going over to Lizard Island for six months. I came back to Orpheus in May 2023 as a Restaurant Supervisor and was promoted to Restaurant Manager shortly after that. This year I’m stepping into a Guest Services role which I’m really looking forward to.
Liam: I grew up in Mount Gambier and got my plumbing qualification there before I left to go live in Western Australia. I’d been there two years doing farm work before moving back home. My brother drives boats and had applied for a job on Orpheus Island and told me about an opportunity to work in the maintenance team. He didn’t end up taking the job, but I still made the 3,000km journey up north.
I spent the season working in the maintenance team but also had the opportunity to go out on local and outer reef fishing charters. I ended up getting my coxswain at the end of last season, and I’ll be joining the marine team this season which I’m really looking forward to.
How have you grown personally and professionally since starting with Morris Escapes?
Elise: I’d like to think I’ve grown a lot as a person since starting on Orpheus. It’s definitely had its character-building moments, and it’s certainly hard living and working so far from home sometimes. But the experience makes it all worth it. I’ve learned to take more opportunities that come my way and take advantage of being in such a unique working environment. We get a lot of support from (Lodge Manager) Chrissie and the whole team.
Liam: Moving into a commercial plumbing and maintenance job on a remote island is certainly different to work on the mainland. I got to learn a lot about the back of house and inner workings of running an island – things like the desalination plant which I’d never come across before. Also being able to do some general maintenance work throughout the week keeps things interesting and I’m always learning new things from the Maintenance Manager Darren.
What’s the best thing about working somewhere like Orpheus?
Elise: The best thing is being able to explore the island and its surrounds on days off. We will often take the staff boat out to go fishing or snorkelling around in different spots around the island. One day we took it over to Hinchinbrook Island and spent the day up at Zoe Falls.
In my first season here I got my PADI Open Water and Advanced Certificate which was a great opportunity to learn a bit more about the Great Barrier Reef, especially since the guests always have so many questions. More recently they organised for staff to get their recreational boating licenses. On quieter days here, the staff will often hole up on someone’s balcony eating cheese, drinking wine, and playing card games.
Liam: It’s hard to have a bad day of work when you live and work on a tropical island! I love to fish and being able to do that as part of my job has been pretty unreal. Working back of house in maintenance, you don’t get much interaction with guests, so I love having the opportunity to go out the front and work on the boats. It’s been great being able to meet and chat with guests on charters.
On our days off we get to do as little or as much as we want. Elise and I often take out the staff boat and bring fishing and snorkelling gear with us. When the weather doesn’t really permit it’s a great excuse to stay indoors with some card games and movies.
The remote work lifestyle isn’t for everyone. Why do you think it works for you?
Elise: It’s hard living away from my family but I do like the kind of lifestyle Orpheus Island provides. It’s certainly an adjustment going from living in Adelaide to living on an island with 30 other people. But those people quickly become your friends. There’s a great sense of friendship and community amongst the team which is so important. You’re never short of company.
It’s also remote without feeling too remote. It’s easy to get to the mainland if you’re ever in need of some normality. But we’re all usually pretty content to stay on the island enjoying the quieter side of things. It’s also a great way to save a bit of money.
Liam: Being from a country town in South Australia I’m used to small, tight-knit communities which is exactly what you get on Orpheus Island. Living and working all together, you know everyone supports you and has your back.
What’s it like as a couple living and working together in this kind of environment?
Elise: We actually met on the island, so I think it’s easy for us living and working together because we’ve never known it any other way. It’s such a unique experience working and living on an island so it’s nice to know your partner can relate. You certainly get you know each other very quickly! We’ve had some amazing opportunities to get out on the water fishing, snorkelling and island-hopping. Liam taught me how to fish, and I even own my own fishing rod now.
Liam: We obviously work in different departments, so while it’s lovely that we get to see each other throughout the day, it’s not like we’re working closely together. We still get to come home at the end of the day and chat about our days and catch each other up. There can be challenges to any relationship but working on the island together has been great for us. We’ve had a lot of amazing experiences together that you’d never get on the mainland.
Would you recommend working at a Morris Escapes lodge to other couples?
Elise: Having a partner in this situation has been a lovely change for me in the past year. I’d absolutely recommend the experience to anyone. I never could have imagined when I first started that I’d still be here a few years down the track with a new job and having met Liam. It’s a great way to explore and live in a different part of the country, and Morris Escapes has endless opportunities in amazing parts of Queensland.
Liam: Of course! I think any kind of remote work is always worthwhile. It forces you to get outside your comfort zone and try new things together.