Cairns: Top sale ever in 16 most expensive suburbs
They are the 16 most expensive suburbs in the Cairns region, with 10 of those suburbs achieving their biggest sale in the past two years alone. So what is the top property in each suburb?
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They are the 16 most expensive suburbs in the Cairns region, with 10 of those suburbs achieving their biggest sale in the past two years alone.
While many were snapped up by local buyers upgrading during the pandemic property boom, there was also no shortage of interstate buyers keen to buy their own slice of our tropical paradise.
A stunning penthouse at Palm Cove was snapped up by a Sydney business man in July last year for $2.4 million, while an AFL football player swooped on a showstopper at Port Douglas.
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For the top house in our most expensive suburbs you can expect to pay 3-4 times the median house price to call one of these residential jewels home.
Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty Tropical North Queensland director Barbara Wolveridge said the prestige market in Cairns was going “brilliantly”.
“The big money is coming from interstate, from Sydney and Melbourne, Adeliade is good too,” she said.
“I have some $6m, $7m, 13m properties on the market right now, and they come out of a place like Sydney where a similar $6m property would be $22m and they realise just how well-priced it is up here.”
And Ms Wolveridge said that interest rate rises were not a concern to the well-heeled.
“It just doesn’t really affect this end of the market,” she said.
“It is the poor buyers in the sub-$1m price range that gets hit the hardest.”
Ms Wolveridge said there was also no signs of the stampede from down south easing up anytime soon, with no shortage of cashed-up buyers looking to the tropical north.
“Since Covid, they have realised they can work from anywhere without being disadvantaged,” she said.
“There is Zoom everywhere and they can always get on a plane.”
Belle Property Cairns director Nicholas Slatyer said the prestige market was still strong but the urgency had eased.
“Prices haven’t softened but they are not rising as fast as they were last year,” he said.
“I’d say it is more balanced.”
Mr Slatyer said the demand for prestige buys was very “suburb dependent”, adding that interstate buyers dominated the market from Holloways Beach to Palm Cove while locals buyers were more active in the inner-city ring suburbs.
“Up to $2m is quiet comfortable for buyers,” he said.
“We saw a 300 per cent increase in sales over $1m in 2021.
“For the five years prior, it was more like 50-60 sales (above $1m) whereas there were over 170 last year alone.
“Ten years ago sellers would tell me that nothing sold over $1m in the Cairns region.
“Now it is common place in suburbs like Palm Cove, Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach.”
Mowbray is the most expensive suburb in the Cairns region with a median house price of $1,132,500.
But the coastal suburb recorded just 10 sales in the 12 months to the end of July compared to its closest rival, Palm Cove, with a median of $947,500 on the back of 84 house sales.
The most expensive property on the market in the Cairns region right now is a stunning elevated residence on the market for offers betweent $7.1m and $7.5m at Palm Cove.
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1. Mowbray
Record breaker: 5247 Captain Cook Highway
Sale price: $2.275 million
Sale date: December 29, 2003
Selling agent: N/A
Description: Owned by artist Danielle Piat, this striking residence sits on a 3546sq m block with views across the Coral Sea. It has five bedrooms including a huge ground level master suite. There is also a ‘secret garden’, pool and a timber decked area for entertaining.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $1,132,500
2. Palm Cove
Record breaker: 2/17 Colonel Cummings Drive
Sale price: $2.4 million
Sale date: July 3, 2021
Selling agent: Nicholas Slatyer, Belle Property Cairns
Description: With panoramic views of the ocean, this penthouse is one of just three apartments in the building, which is located in the Munbilla estate. With 286sq m of floor space, it has two balconies, a large kitchen, light-filled interiors, a huge master suite and a private entry with no stairs. It was purchased by a Sydney businessman.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $947,500
3. Port Douglas
Record breaker: 1-3 Wharf Street Port Douglas
Sale price: $8.25 million
Sale date: December 8, 2020
Selling agent: Barbara Wolveridge, Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty
Description: The five-bedroom, six-bathroom Wharf St address has capacity for more than 100 guests and was designed to double as a corporate retreat. Set among landscaped grounds that include natural stone gardens and a freshwater stream, the floorplan follows a U-shaped configuration, with one wing used for entertaining and the other wing for guest bedrooms and private family living spaces. There’s two kitchens, one for entertaining and the other adjoining a refrigerated cool room. It was sold by tourism identity John and wife Marillyn Morris to former Carlton premiership player Fraser Brown.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $935,000
4. Clifton Beach
Record breaker: 20-24 Alexandra Street
Sale price: $2.45 million
Sale date: March 29, 2021
Selling agent: Shira David Stern, Twomey Schriber Property Group
Description: This designer house at the foothills of McAlister Range has sweeping ocean views, six ensuited bedrooms, and an award-winning pool and spa. The main living floor includes the master residence with its own private indoor and outdoor deck living areas, spacious office, king size bedroom, walk-in-robe and bathroom. Three further double queen bedrooms are also located here. There is a vast kitchen and landscape-designed gardens.
Former owners Frank Baars and Karen Higgins ran it as a B&B before it was sold to entrepreneurs Leonardo and Susan Conti.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $820,500
5. Edge Hill
Record breaker: 3 Alison Close
Sale price: $2.4 million
Sale date: November 25, 2013
Selling agent: Sue Clyde-Smith, Elite Cairns and Beaches
Description: Set on 3.6 acres, this grand estate had a bespoke kitchen and four ensuited bedrooms when it sold almost 10 years ago. There is living and poolside areas off the kitchen, polished timber floors, and a rainforest backdrop. The bespoke kitchen is simply a modern masterpiece.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $732,500
6. Craiglie
Record breaker: LOT 6 Captain Cook Highway
Sale price: $2.58 million
Sale date: October 16, 2021
Selling agent: Soula Kazakis, Ray White Port Douglas
Description: Architecturally designed by award-winning Driscoll Carvey Building Design and with interiors by renowned Leroy Belle Interior Design, this is estate has panoramic views from Cape Tribulation, across Port Douglas and south to Oak Beach. There is an open plan living, dining and kitchen area which opens on the alfresco BBQ kitchen, outdoor dining and lounge which surrounds the infinity pool. The property has fruit trees, a gym, and a guest wing featuring three individual bedroom suites with an exclusive lounge.
The master suite is on its own private floor and has dual walk-in closets, a private office/library/lounge and a bathroom, all of this accessed via a crystal elevator with views into a tropical plantation.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $714,750
7. Kanimbla
Record breaker: 9 Hussar Close
Sale price: $1.3 million
Sale date: January 24, 2015
Selling agent: Michael Barton, Twomey Schriber Property Group
Description: This commanding residence sits on a 3137sq m block. It has open plan lounge and dining areas and soaring high ceilings that flow out to the alfresco entertainers terrace and wet edge lap pool. There are five bedrooms, four bathrooms, high quality fittings, a Cbus smart control system, full security and automated systems throughout the home. It also has
uninterrupted 180 degree views over the Cairns City skyline and inlet and is accessed by a long and private driveway.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $702,500
8. Whitfield
Record breaker: 21-22 Knott Court
Sale price: $5.29 million
Sale date: October 10, 2020
Selling agent: Jay Beattie, Colliers
Description: Inspired by the work of Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, the grand residence has 5m-high ceilings, 1441sq m of living space and sits on a 7000sq m block with some of the best views of the city. The main residence features a porte cochere and stunning central living area leading on to four ensuite bedrooms – including a Palazzo Versace-style master suite, a central music room, and a guest suite with a private bar and terrace. There is also a gymnasium with private terrace, timber panelled offices and a wine cellar complete with mural, an eight-car underground garage and a blue mosaic 17m pool. It was sold by Patrice Knott and bought by Hong Kong businessman and Double Island Resort and Acacia Court Hotel owner Benny Wu.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $670,000
9. Stratford
Record breaker: 1-5 Cochrane Street
Sale price: $1.3 million
Sale date: November 19, 2021
Selling agent: Kim Ryan LJ Hooker Cairns Edge Hill
Description: Called Alira, this 3566sq m block with rainforest backdrop has a renovated three-level residence with a whopping 593sq m under roof. The first floor has an open plan design with formal and informal living areas and a well-appointed kitchen. There is also three bedrooms that access the covered patio and private sitting areas. There is also a games room, home office and a separate detached self-contained granny flat. The top floor is home to a master suite, while the lower level has two self-contained bedrooms each with kitchenettes and full bathrooms. Other features include a powered shed, a carport, a pool with a wrap around timber deck and a range of fruit trees.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $660,000
10. Trinity Beach
Record breaker: 129 Vasey Esplanade
Sale price: $5.5 million
Sale date: October 30, 2019
Selling agent: Abercromby’s Jock Langley and Mission Beach Real Estate’s Steve Wiltshire
Description: This stunning beach house was owned by fund management pioneer Otto Buttula and his wife Virginia, but was snapped up by four investors, Jason Hedlund, founder of the Canberra-based Financial Integrity Group, Ivan Juric, Stephen Bates and Stephen Thompson.
It is set on 7585sq m of beachfront land and features five bedrooms, six bathrooms and a safari-themed den.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $650,000
11. Freshwater
Record breaker: 61 Old Smithfield Road
Sale price: $1.412 million
Sale date: February 23, 2022
Selling agent: Andrea Rolley, Twomey Schriber Property Group
Description: This tropical entertainer on a fenced 2971sq m block has a luxury residence with over 400sq m under roof plus a separate two bedroom guesthouse above the large triple garage. The main residence features a chefs kitchen, three bedrooms on the upper level and a kingsize master suite with a balcony, airconditioned walk-in robe and luxe ensuite. There is also a media room, a home office or sixth bedroom, a pool and multiple outdoor entertaining areas. It was sold by the owners of a construction software company to a health practitioner.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $635,000
12. Redlynch
Record breaker: 21-23 Copeman Close
Sale price: $2.25 million
Sale date: November 20, 2020
Selling agent: Nadine Edwards, LJ Hooker Cairns Edge Hill
Description: On two elevated acres, this resort-style home has sea, mountain and valley views.
Surrounded by established tropical gardens and sprawling, manicured lawns, the single level residence is surrounded by verandas and boasts six bedrooms, four bathrooms and a modern kitchen. There is large formal and informal spaces, and the kitchen connects to the Balinese style pavilion and the adjoining poolside terrace. There is also a separate lounge and a games room. Four bedrooms are located in one wing, including the master retreat, which has a walk-in robe and a stunning ensuite with rainforest views. There is a triple car garage, workshop and storeroom plus additional undercover parking for six vehicles attached to the home. Outside there is a fruit orchard, seasonal creek, a swimming hole, rainforest, a tennis court and extensive gardens.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $623,200
13. Kewarra Beach
Record breaker: 34 Kewarra Street
Sale price: $3.2 million
Sale date: December 15, 2005
Selling agent: Lachlan Leishman, Coldwell Banker Barrier Reef
Description: On 32489sq m with absolute beachfront views, this striking residence has five bedrooms, five bathrooms and space for six vehicles. Property records at the time show vast, light-filled interiors, gated entry, a pool, and spectacular beach views. It was sold to a Sydney businessman.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $620,000
14. Kuranda
Record breaker: 60 Barron Falls Road
Sale price: $1.275 million
Sale date: February 17, 2022
Selling agent: Sonia Poole, Ray White Cairns Beaches
Description: Completely off-grid and on 26 acres, this two year old designer house backs onto World Heritage rainforest, and is a 10-minute walk to iconic Barron Falls. Once part of a 10-lot subdivision, there are still seven house pads scattered along walking tracks through the property. The home was designed to be completely self-sufficient and is run with a state of the art solar and battery set up. The residence has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with high ceilings, bright interiors, polished floors, and a statement kitchen. There is also vast decks to take in the views and an outdoor tub.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $605,000
15. Cairns North
Record breaker: 199 Esplanade
Sale price: $1.2 million
Sale date: October 29, 2010
Selling agent: N/A
Description: On 405sq m, there is very little information about this property but when it last sold, there was a cottage on the block. Google street view images show a modern residence now in its place. The property has parkland and water views.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $605,000
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16. Brinsmead
Record breaker: 24 The Peak Road
Sale price: $2,374,920
Sale date: January 29, 2022
Selling agent: Shira David Stern, Twomey Schriber Property Group
Description: Architecturally-designed, this striking home offers complete privacy and spectacular views. It has a flexible split-level living layout with multiple living areas both indoor and out. Features include high ceilings, an infinity pool, an office, home automation system, two media rooms, a huge utilities room with a butlers pantry and laundry, and a massive alfresco area with am outdoor BBQ and pizza oven. There are four double bedrooms plus a master suite with a stunning ensuite, dressing room and private balcony with ocean views.
SUBURB MEDIAN: $595,000
*These are the top sale in the top 15 most expensive suburbs in the Cairns region, according to the August REA Market Trends report. Suburbs with less than 20 sales over 12 month were excluded, as were Pty Ltd entities. Suburb median is for houses.
Originally published as Cairns: Top sale ever in 16 most expensive suburbs
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