Tucked amongst a panorama reflecting nature at its most pristine and seductive, Shangri-la is a surprise nirvana just 10kms through forest and gurgling rock pools from the old sugar town of Mossman, and its adjoining Newell Beach.

The frenchman who built a basic besser block abode with stone cornerwork in a forested tropical hideaway would barely recognise his former home if he returned. Two creative North Queenslanders, Hans and Wendy van der Wolf, discovered the tiny home when they were out sightseeing.

Wendy recalls the drive through magnificent Whyambeel Valley, north of Mossman, which resulted in the lucky real estate find and on-the-spot purchase of magical site and basic house. With their first look at the site and original house, Hans and Wendy knew this was the place that dreams are made of - not a word passed between them. Hans shook hands with the Frenchman, and the deal was done. The transformation began soon afterwards.

"The Frenchman who built it was adamant he wanted to go back to France on a certain day, as he had fallen in love with his childhood sweetheart and she found the tropics too hot", Wendy said.

"The house was basic, but it still had lots of charm and felt good. The stonework around the interior corners was something you see in European churches. It had been hand done with that French spirit". Wendy said. Now the revamp is finished, with the home emerging as the million dollar getaway, Shangri-La.

The feel of Europe still echoes through the new look country house, with its eye-catching addition - an open air, open plan, yling-ylang grass-roofed pavilion cum outdoor bedroom and ensuite. Surprisingly tropical architecture blends happily with the adjacent French provincial house.

Well known Cairns house designer Chris Van Dyke drew up plans for the renovation work. I certainly did wonder if a yling ylang roof went with French provincial. It was a game of mixing things," said Chris.

First renovation job was the kitchen, which wasn't useable - it's now been opened up to be cooler for the tropical, yet retained its French provincial feel, right down to the French cuisine cookbooks." Its been dressed up a little using stainless steel handmade locally by a craftsman in Mossman" Wendy said. A 'mish mash' of original floor tiles was replaced with matte white tiling throughout to contrast with the beams and dark timber around windows and doors.

The open plan dining/lounge area reflects the cosiness and comfort of Europe. A lego set of slate colored couches is both practical and comfortable, interchangeable for relaxation options. "We bought two couches and it didn't seem enough, so we went out and bought another," Wendy said," Now they all interlock"
The wet edge lap pool had to go close to the house for impact. Legal and pool safety regulations were overcome with the introduction of heavy mesh windows on the new poolside of the house.

"Mesh was the only option, as we wouldn't otherwise have been able to put the pool flush beside the house" said Wendy.

A large glass panel replaces a door in the hall of the original house, opening out onto the new pool area. It has given a new dimension and lightness to the interior - framing the blueness of the pool and the magnificent back drop of the forest and mountains. The long driveway of the 13.5ha estate abounds with tropical trees - mangoes, mangosteen, durian, gramachamas. "you can put your hand out of the window of the car and pick guanabanana (star applies)". Wendy enthuses.

Shangri-la has extraordinary charm, yet it still works well as a family home. It is one of the flagship rental properties of Executive Retreats, but will eventually be Hans and Wendy's own home.

"European clientele adore it here - the atmosphere of Europe in the tropics" Wendy said.