Port Douglas surf park: How new $317m NorthBreak project will benefit Cairns

Beach communities north of Cairns will become a fully fledged active adventure paradise following the approval of a $317m surf park and resort, which has been lauded across the Far North.

THE northern beaches and Port Douglas will be transformed into an active adventure paradise following the approval of a $317m surf park and resort, which has been lauded across the Far North.

The game-changing development, to be known as NorthBreak Port Douglas, is tipped to pump an eye-popping $117.5m into the Douglas Shire economy through jobs during the construction phase and create 740 full-time positions once completed.

A short trip down the Captain Cook Highway at Kewarra Beach, The Palms owner Darren Halpin plans to build a kids water park as part of his luxury property redevelopment.

He said the timing and position of the wave park on the outskirts of Port Douglas was “such a great idea” and could only benefit his concept.

An artist’s impression of a surfer at NorthBreak Port Douglas. Image: Hunt Design

“Where it is, it’s probably only going to be a 25 minute drive from our tourist park that we’re building,” he said.

“They’ve probably been missing that active attraction in Port Douglas and this will bring a whole new level of customer to their town.

“And if they’re in Port Douglas then they are going to come to Cairns.”

Mr Halpin said the northern beaches will be a fully-fledged “active adventure zone” once the Wangetti Trail development, NorthBreak and his proposal is complete, alongside the Skyrail, Cairns Wake Park and Aqua Park.

“We are all so close,” he said.

An artist’s impression for water slides at a water park at the Paradise Palms development. Picture: Supplied

“These projects only work on that land that is not that expensive and it’s why they are always built on land that is out of town.

“Especially in Port Douglas, it is a real positive that the Port Douglas council have realised the benefit of such an asset to them.”

The Port Douglas surf park, which will use cutting edge technology to generate swell similar to surf beaches, is expected to attract 28,680 visitor nights and generate $79.2m in direct expenditure per annum.

Cairns Division 9 councillor Brett Olds said it was “another arrow in the quiver” for Cairns and Far North tourism.

“People used to go to Bali, now when they think I want to go somewhere tropical to surf, there is nowhere in Australia like this,” he said.

An artist’s impression of the $317m NorthBreak Port Douglas surf park and resort, to be built south of the Mowbray River Bridge in Port Douglas. Image: Hunt Design.

“It’s another offering that we are going to have up here not just for the locals but for tourists.”

Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the proposal was another major attraction for the area.

“It’s at the start of the Wangetti Trail, it’s right there on the Mowbray River, and it’s the sort of investment we need in,” he said.

“It’s not just accommodation but gee whiz it’s another significant activity.

“If you want to go surfing the only place to go is in Port Douglas, and you are not going to be dodging the crocodiles in the river next door.”

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Originally published as Port Douglas surf park: How new $317m NorthBreak project will benefit Cairns