Behind every unforgettable journey with Luxury Lodges of Australia are the people who bring each experience to life. For guests aboard True North, the voyage is shaped as much by the landscapes beyond the deck as it is by what arrives on the plate.

Meet Hannah Jukes, known to many simply as “Chef” or “Juksey” – the Head Chef responsible for crafting a dining experience that evolves with every nautical mile. With a background spanning French fine dining and cooking across mainland Europe on coach tours, Hannah brings both technical precision and adaptability to life at sea. On True North, her role goes far beyond the galley. She leads a close-knit team of chefs, designing daily menus that reflect the remote regions the vessel explores – from the rugged Kimberley coastline to the reefs of the Rowley Shoals and the buzz of Sydney Harbour during the festive season.

Cooking in such isolated environments demands creativity and resourcefulness. Ingredients shift with location, often inspired by freshly caught seafood or local market finds. The result is a dining experience that is immersive, place-driven and deeply connected to the journey itself. “Each expedition is a journey not just for our guests, but for the kitchen as well,” says Jukes. “The landscapes constantly inspire the food we create. In the Kimberley we celebrate incredible Australian seafood — mud crab, barramundi, coral trout and freshly caught fish prepared simply to highlight their natural flavours.

“Life on board moves with the rhythm of exploration. Guests head out early for helicopter flights, fishing, waterfalls and reef snorkelling. When they return, our role is to welcome them back with something special – a long lunch on the deck, canapés at sunset or a multi-course dinner that feels like a reward after a day of adventure.

For me, the most satisfying part of the job is seeing guests genuinely surprised by the level of cuisine we can deliver in such remote locations. Creating refined, thoughtful food in a small galley while travelling through wilderness areas is a challenge, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. True North is about more than luxury – it’s about immersion in remarkable places. The kitchen is simply another way we help tell the story of those landscapes and cultures through food.”

Behind the Scenes with Hannah Jukes

Can you tell us about the Head Chef experience on True North?

“My role is to create menus that reflect the places we travel while delivering a dining experience that matches the adventure of the journey. Cooking at sea in remote locations keeps things exciting – every day brings different ingredients, different landscapes and new inspiration.”

What do you enjoy most about working at True North?

“The sense of adventure. Few kitchens in the world travel through places as spectacular and remote as these. One day we might be anchored beneath towering Kimberley cliffs, the next drifting over coral reefs hundreds of kilometres from land. Being able to cook beautiful food while experiencing these places is something very special.”

What does creating a memorable luxury experience for guests look like to you?

“It’s about the small details. Luxury doesn’t have to be formal – it’s about thoughtful food, generous hospitality and creating moments guests will remember long after the charter ends.”

What makes True North such a special place to stay?

“True North allows guests to access places very few people will ever see. The scale is small and intimate, so guests feel connected to both the crew and the environment.”

Where is the best place to watch sunrise or sunset on True North?

“Sunrise or sunset in the Hunter River is hard to beat. Watching the cliffs turn deep red while guests enjoy either that first sip of coffee in the morning or canapés and drinks after a day exploring is always a special moment.”

What is the most memorable wildlife experience you’ve had?

“Seeing the marine life at the Rowley Shoals is incredible — pristine coral reefs full of sharks, turtles and huge schools of fish. It’s one of the most untouched marine environments I’ve ever experienced.”

What’s your top tip for guests on board True North?

“Say yes to everything – the helicopter flights, fishing trips, waterfall hikes and snorkelling adventures. The more you explore during the day, the better that sunset drink and dinner tastes.”

Fun fact about the Kimberley region:

“The Kimberley coastline is one of the most ancient landscapes on earth, with rock formations over 1.8 billion years old and some of the world’s largest tidal movements. It’s a place that feels truly wild and timeless.”

To join True North on one of their aquatic adventures and taste Hannah’s cuisine, visit.