Townsville’s iconic Port of Call sells for $1.5m after death in the family
Steeped in history, Townsville’s iconic Port of Call has been sold after being run by the same family for over half a century. Find out what was behind the decision to sell.
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After providing a sanctuary for many a weary traveller over the last 56 years, the family operating Townsville’s iconic Port of Call have tearfully parted ways with their beloved accommodation business.
Charters Towers couple Fae and Rix O’Connell began building Port of Call at 53-55 Ford St, Hermit Park in 1967, starting with a four-bedroom house and 20m pool, where Fae could swim laps.
They constructed nine units in the late 1960s, before buying a neighbouring block from the Hermit Park Hotel in the 1980s and adding another 14 units.
Fae’s granddaughter Tammy Tyrrell had fond memories growing up with the colourful characters staying at the Port of Call, where Fae ran the show, supported by Rix and her mother Coral.
Built before the motels emerged along Bowen Rd, Ms Tyrrell said the Port of Call was one of the few options for visitors to stay in Townsville, attracting all walks of life.
“You talk to everyone in Townsville, and there’s not one person that I’ve come across who hasn’t heard of the Port of Call,” Ms Tyrrell said
“There was never a day the same. Every day your house was always open to everybody, it was open 24 hours, seven days a week back in those years.
“Two o’clock in the morning, you’d wake up to the bell ringing and checking in a truckie or someone passing through. Very few did they say no to.”
The clientele was always on their best behaviour, because if they weren’t, they were quickly shown the door.
She fondly remembered collecting rent from guests as a seven-year-old, and the “wonderful pool parties”, which provided plenty of fuel for school gossip.
“I wish my Nana had written a book about it,” she said.
Much like Sturt Lodge in the CBD, Port of Call has played a vital role as a “safety net” for Townsville’s single men, where long-term accommodation had been provided to one guest for over 20 years.
“They have their own space, but they’ve just got a bit of community there with the relationships that people have made throughout the years,” she said.
“It’s a mix, where some have got their own toilets and showers and there’s also shared toilets and showers as well.”
Following Fae’s death two years ago the family was forced to put the Port of Call on the market.
Ray White Commercial Townsville Principal Graeme Russell sold Port of Call for $1.575m to a Melbourne-based investor in August.
He said the investor didn’t physically inspect the property, instead relying on a buyer’s agent and observing it through FaceTime during a detailed inspection.
The property generates $162,000 per annum, with the manager’s residence capable of bringing in an additional $25,000 per year,
Comparing what could be purchased in Melbourne for $1.5m compared to Townsville Mr Russell said it was the price point that was attracting investors to the city.
“The idea of buying a property as big as this, with as much potential income for that price in Melbourne is impossible,” he said.
“The return on investment is double what you could expect in southern capitals.”
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Originally published as Townsville’s iconic Port of Call sells for $1.5m after death in the family
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