Tropical Island Seeks Live-in Caretakers for Paradise Rent-Free

A tropical paradise with a population of just two is inviting live-in caretakers to join its community rent-free. Middle Percy Island, 125 kilometres south-east of Mackay in North Queensland, is seeking volunteers to help maintain its infrastructure and promote conservation.

Martin Papay, a resident of the island for 15 years, described living on Middle Percy as "beautiful".

"It feels like a strength every time you get things like that done which provides for your future needs," he said. "It's not work, it's love, it's passion, doing the things you need to do to survive."

Papay lives a self-sufficient lifestyle on the island, producing his own coconuts, pineapples, and honey. He said it takes him months to prepare the ingredients for a piña colada.

Ralph Ender, who moved to the island at the beginning of the year, shares Papay's passion for the island lifestyle. His day starts at sunrise, cleaning up after the goats and tending to the garden.

"You get used to that feeling of being alone, which I like," he said. "[When the boat season starts] I can't scream when I want or run around naked … it would be to their amusement though."

Ender also spoke about the emotional challenges of living remotely, including the passing of his dog, Amigo.

"There's lots of dramas," he said. "You've got to be capable of dealing with those emotions on your own."

The Percy Island Conservation Group Inc is seeking "suitably skilled" volunteers who can commit to living on the island for at least a year. The group's director, Cathryn Radclyffe, said island residents are essential to maintaining infrastructure, gardens, and grazing animal levels.

"Island residents are essential to maintain island infrastructure, gardens, apiary and grazing animal levels, as well as maintaining the traditions of hospitality for crew of visiting vessels," she said.

Volunteers will be responsible for tasks such as pumping rainwater, tending to the chooks, and bottling honey from the island's bees. In return, they will receive free accommodation, but will need to be able to support themselves.

A Rich History

Middle Percy Island has a rich history, with the remaining 316 hectares separated into the Percy Island Conservation Park. The island is also home to a number of cottage industries, including tanning skins and beeswax products sold in the island's produce stand.

The island's population can increase five-fold with the addition of new residents, who will be expected to contribute to the island's conservation efforts and hospitality for visiting vessels.