Many first-home buyers are searching for more space. But in the case of Maquel and Elliot, the couple were \u201cliterally bursting at seams\u201d in their current rental. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maquel (a former climate scientist turned wildlife researcher who uses \u201cdrones to survey different populations of wildlife\u201d) and Elliot (a marine biologist who \"researches oysters and how they respond to climate change\u201d) were very ready to move their chickens and rescue cat, Rocco (a.k.a. \u201cthe master of the house\u201d) out of their small Inner City cottage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s not surprising that being \u201ccloser to nature\u201d was a top priority for the couple. \u201cI really value being close to the water\u2026 somewhere I can go swimming, diving, kayaking and engage in marine activities,\u201d tells Elliot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the pair were realistic about their options, with Maquel admitting, \u201cwe never expected that we could get somewhere next to the water. We were happy to suffice with a bush block.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After searching for over a year, they spotted a beach shack on the shores of Brisbane Water in a small pocket of Koolewong (named from an Aboriginal word meaning \u2018koalas there'). \u201cThe house has obviously been added to and modified by people over the years, but it has been here for about 100 years is our best guess,\u201d tells Elliot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite being a little rough around the edges, the cottage ticked all their boxes: it shared a boundary with the Brisbane Water National Park and was quite literally waterfront, complete with a shared jetty. \u201cI would have sold my right leg to live here,\u201d tells Maquel. Luckily, she didn't have to\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe well-worn condition of the home worked in their favour, with damaged windows and rooms filled with clutter putting many other buyers off. \u201cOne time when we went to check it out, the back door was wide open and there was brush turkey nesting in the house,\u201d laughs Maquel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeople thought we were mad\u2026 the only other person that was potentially interested was a couple that was going to completely demolish the house.\u201d But the pair saw its potential: it was secluded, yet only 10 minutes away from the nearest major train station and just needed a bit of love and attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLike many first-time buyers, Maquel and Elliot were \u201ca little bit intimidated by the process\u201d of securing their first home. \u201cOnce we had engaged with the Pure Finance team, we realised there was nothing to be scared of. It was all quite a simple process in the end,\u201d tells Elliot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of their biggest priorities was to make sure they were working with an ethical lender that aligned with their values, as Elliot explains, \u201cWe know that climate change is a massive issue. Any financial institution that is working towards reducing carbon emissions and putting money in a place where it's going to help our environment means a lot to us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the challenges of living in the bush, Maquel and Elliot couldn\u2019t be more at home. \u201cIt makes you feel alive and like you\u2019ve got this really special place that\u2019s very private and very personal,\u201d shares Maquel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What makes this spot extra special is its easy access to the National Park, which \u201chas a really high density of original Aboriginal artwork. Every time we go for a walk, we respectfully go and have a look at some of these amazing artworks\u2026 It\u2019s a fantastic reminder of the original inhabitants of this region, and their continuing connection and custodianship of the land\u201d shares Elliot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you\u2019d expect, the pair have already put their stamp on the home, spending their weekends slowly fixing bits and pieces. \u201cEverything we\u2019ve done on this house we\u2019ve done ourselves using recycled materials\u2026 when we can\u2019t get the items we want, we go to a local recycled timber supplier (who gets recycled timber from local houses that have been demolished) and we use that to make our own furniture,\u201d explains Elliot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKeen to live a \u201clow impact\u201d lifestyle, the couple is currently \u201ctrying to decarbonise our entire home so we don\u2019t use gas. We bought a very efficient induction electric stove and we have electric hot water.\u201d Even the chicken pen they\u2019ve made for their \u201ctwo feathered friends, Bootsy and Ester\u201d has been built from the trees they\u2019ve needed to clear on their property for fire protection purposes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Maquel explains, \u201cnext on our list is [getting] a flow hive, so instead of actually having to take the frames out of the beehive and disturb the bees to scrape off the honey, you just simply turn a tap and the honey drains. It means the bees are happier and undisturbed. Unfortunately though, we have to wait until varroa mite sorts itself out, because we are in a surveillance zone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe like to eat wild as well, so we like to harvest sea lettuce, Neptune\u2019s necklace, different types of seaweed and we can pickle them and have them on sushi. We also love to harvest oysters and local, sustainable food sources\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a one-of-a-kind property for a one-of-a-kind couple. \u201cWe genuinely wake up every day and cannot believe we\u2019re here. I feel like I\u2019m on a holiday,\u201d shares Maquel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maquel and Elliot\u2019s top picks for eating and drinking in their new neighbourhood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Young Barrons,<\/a> Woy Woy - their favourite local cafe and deli (don\u2019t miss the pork and fennel sausage rolls and daily pasta specials)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nero\u2019s Pizza, Woy Woy<\/a> - for traditional, sourdough woodfired pizza<\/p>\n\n\n\n Upstairs Wines, Ettalong<\/a> - for an excellent bottle of natural wine <\/p>\n\n\n\n Osteria Il Coccia, Ettalong<\/a> - an Italian fine diner (recently awarded One Hat in the 2023 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide NSW Awards<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n