Maintenance Manager - Mt Mulligan Lodge

Morris Escapes; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidised staff accommodation

Electricity & internet included

Food provided

Career development opportunities

Ownership of maintenance operations

Job summary

Mt Mulligan Lodge, part of Morris Escapes, seeks an experienced Maintenance Manager to lead our remote lodge maintenance team. This permanent, live-in role covers buildings, grounds, plant, and essential infrastructure, with a hands-on approach and a focus on safety and guest readiness.

You will manage preventative maintenance, coordinate licensed trades, oversee solar power, diesel generators and off-grid water systems, and contribute to budgeting and spares planning.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading maintenance teams in hospitality or remote facilities.
• Experience managing solar power, diesel generators and off-grid water systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and fault resolution abilities.
• Experience developing preventative maintenance schedules and maintaining service records.
• Ability to coordinate licensed trades and manage site logistics remotely.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the maintenance team, set priorities and maintain high workmanship standards.
• Develop and manage a preventative maintenance programme for buildings, equipment and grounds.
• Prioritise daily work with urgent repairs and longer-term improvements.
• Oversee solar power systems and diesel generators operations and maintenance.
• Monitor off-grid water infrastructure and coordinate servicing with licensed trades.
• Maintain accurate service records, schedules and equipment documentation.
• Assist with budgeting, purchasing and planning for repairs or replacement.
• Ensure safe work practices and risk assessments are conducted.

Skills

Maintenance management

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Preventative maintenance

Contractor coordination

Remote-site logistics

Driver licence

Health & safety

Communication

Grounds maintenance

Education

Trade apprenticeship certificate

Job description

Mt Mulligan Lodge | Morris Escapes

Far North Queensland | Permanent, live-in position

Maintenance Manager

Mt Mulligan Lodge | Morris Escapes

Far North Queensland | Permanent, live-in position

About us

Part of Morris Escapes, a curated portfolio of boutique sustainable lodges and experiences showcasing Far North Queensland’s reef, outback and hinterland, Mt Mulligan Lodge offers laid‑back luxury in the Queensland outback and is a proud member of Luxury Lodges of Australia.

Located on a 28,000-hectare working cattle station, Mt Mulligan Lodge welcomes just 28 guests to experience a captivating landscape rich in Indigenous significance, mining heritage and pastoral history.

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced, practical and proactive Maintenance Manager to lead our maintenance team and oversee the upkeep of our remote luxury lodge.

This is a hands‑on management role responsible for lodge accommodation, staff facilities, back‑of‑house areas, plant, grounds and essential infrastructure. You will combine strong leadership with practical maintenance skills to keep the property safe, well presented and guest‑ready.

Experience with solar power systems, diesel generators and off‑grid water systems is essential, along with an understanding of the maintenance planning and operational challenges involved in a remote environment.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate and support the maintenance team, setting clear priorities and maintaining high standards of workmanship.
• Develop and manage a preventative maintenance programme covering buildings, equipment, grounds and essential infrastructure.
• Prioritise daily work, balancing urgent repairs with scheduled maintenance and longer‑term improvements.
• Oversee the reliable operation of solar power systems, associated battery storage where applicable, and diesel generators.
• Monitor and maintain off‑grid water infrastructure, including pumps, tanks, filtration and treatment equipment, as applicable.
• Coordinate servicing, inspections and specialist repairs to minimise disruption to guests and lodge operations.
• Manage maintenance requests and communicate progress, operational risks and equipment downtime to lodge management.
• Coordinate contractors and licensed trades, ensuring work is completed safely and to the required standard.
• Maintain accurate service records, maintenance schedules and equipment documentation.
• Manage tools, consumables and spare parts, allowing for remote‑location supply lead times.
• Support maintenance budgeting, purchasing and planning for equipment repairs or replacement.
• Maintain safe work practices, including risk assessments, manual handling, ladder use and safe equipment isolation.
• Promote a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues before they affect the guest experience.

Hands‑on maintenance

Alongside managing the team, you will assist with practical maintenance tasks within your qualifications, competence and licence requirements, including:

• Patching, painting, minor carpentry and general building repairs.
• Repairs to doors, locks, fittings and hardware.
• Basic plumbing maintenance and troubleshooting, with licensed plumbing work referred to qualified trades.
• Routine equipment checks and fault identification across kitchen, laundry and lodge facilities.
• Routine inspections and servicing of diesel generators within your competence and manufacturer requirements.
• Monitoring solar system performance and identifying faults for escalation to qualified technicians.
• Checking water pumps, tanks and associated infrastructure, and coordinating specialist servicing as required.
• Grounds maintenance and general property upkeep.

Electrical, plumbing and other regulated work must be undertaken by appropriately licensed personnel.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience in maintenance management or supervision, ideally within hospitality, remote accommodation, facilities management or a similar environment.
• Demonstrated experience operating, monitoring and coordinating maintenance of solar power systems, diesel generators and off‑grid water systems.
• Strong practical troubleshooting skills and the ability to respond calmly to equipment failures or service interruptions.
• Experience developing preventative maintenance schedules and maintaining service records.
• The ability to lead a small team while remaining actively involved in day‑to‑day maintenance.
• Strong organisation, communication and contractor coordination skills.
• An understanding of remote‑site logistics, critical spare parts and continuity of essential services.
• Excellent attention to detail and pride in property presentation.
• A current Australian driver licence.
• The ability to undertake the physical requirements of the role safely.

Trade‑qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates with broad practical maintenance experience and demonstrated leadership capability will also be considered.

Couples are welcome to apply where a partner has skills suited to opportunities in other lodge departments.

Why join us?

• Permanent, live‑in opportunity in a spectacular Queensland outback setting.
• Subsidised colleague accommodation, including electricity, water, food and internet.
• Career development opportunities within the Morris Escapes portfolio.
• The opportunity to take ownership of maintenance operations at a boutique luxury lodge.
• Enjoy your days off exploring the surrounding landscape while reducing city‑living expenses.