Cairns real estate: Top residential sales of 2020
From one of the country’s most luxurious houses to properties inspired by the Renaissance, take a look at Cairns’ top residential sales of 2020, and how much they went for.
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GROWTH was a term rarely used in 2020, but for regional real estate, especially in the Far North, it summed up the year for the sector that defied dire predictions when the pandemic first broke out.
After quieter months during the height of Queensland’s lockdowns, buyers showed just how eager they were to sign contracts when open home inspections were once again allowed.
In June and July, Cairns real estate agents were reporting sales on standard block homes, with multiple offers coming in within hours of properties going to market.
It created a “silent auction” environment, where buyers were unknowingly bidding against each other.
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And as South East Queenslanders, Sydneysiders and Victorians grew sick of being locked in their suburban concrete jungles, Far Northern agents reported growing interest in local properties from the southerners. This included one Sydney woman, who purchased three Cairns homes, sight unseen.
In September all this activity led to a median house price growth of 4.9 per cent to $430,000 for Cairns and the market was booming as rental vacancies dropped below 1 per cent in October.
With added government building incentives, 2020 was a busy year for anyone involved in Far Northern housing.
And while the majority of the focus was median-priced family homes, it didn’t halt the high-end real estate activity.
Here are the top 10 residential sales in the Far North from 2020, based on realestate.com.au data.
1-3 Wharf Street, Port Douglas
Price: Above $8m
Agent: Sotheby’s International Realty — Barbara Wolveridge
The December sale of one the country’s most luxurious hilltop estates set a 2020 sales record for the Far North.
The sought-after 2390 sqm property at 1-3 Wharf Street, Port Douglas sold for above $8m, 30 years after it was built by businessman and tourism identity John Morris.
The previous biggest sale in the town was in 2017 when Melbourne property developer Michael Yates sold his Wharf Street retreat for $6.8m to Paragon Financial Group director Dean Cook and his wife, Larah.
The five-bedroom, six-bathroom home spans across a U-shaped winged configuration.
One wing accommodates living and entertaining areas, while another is for private family-living with guest bedrooms and a master residence.
Records show Mr Morris sold the house in May 2000 for $4.6m to tourism company Quicksilver Connections, but bought it back again in 2007 for $10m.
21 Knott Court, Whitfield
Price: Above $5m
Agent: Colliers International — Jay Beattie and Tom Quaid
The home is an exercise in Italian grandeur, inspired by the work of Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, with 5m-high ceilings, 1441sq m of living space on a 7000sq m block with some of the best views of the city.
The home at the foothills of the Whitfield Range was purchased by Hong Kong businessman Benny Wu in November for above $5m.
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, twinned bedrooms that share a central music room, and a guest suite with a private bar and terrace overlooking the rainforest and rear lawn.
114D Hillview Crescent, Whitfield
Price: $2m
Agent: Australian First Realty — Robert Smith
On the precipice of the COVID crisis on March 13, Australian First Realty sold a palatial home at 114D Hillview Crescent for $2 million.
“This prestigious house was sold on a seven-day cash settlement,” agent Robert Smith said. The expansive 1573sq m, resort-style property has six bedrooms, four bathrooms and a four-car garage.
5 Planchonella Close, Edge Hill
Price: $2m
Agent: LJ Hooker Edge Hill — Nadine Edwards
Emerging out the other side of the coronavirus crunch in November, Nadine Edwards at LJ Hooker Edge Hill sold the three bedroom home at 5 Planchonella Close, Edge Hill, for $2m.
Planchonella House is an award-winning one-off concept, designed by Jesse Bennett Architect. The structure and fixtures were handcrafted in the house that is surrounded by lush heritage rainforest.
3-5 Melchiori Close, Edmonton
Price: $1.7m
Agent: Colliers International — Tom Quaid and Stacey Quaid
This elegantly modern home is elevated among the tree tops, with views across Cairns, from mountain ranges to the City and bay and was sold in August.
The 1.85ha property built with northern and southern wings includes five bedrooms and a 26m lap pool.
38 Kewarra Street, Kewarra Beach
Price: $1.45m
Agent: Ray White Cairns Beaches — Matthew Pearce and Simon Batt
This five-bedroom family home is positioned in one of the most prestigious addresses in North Queensland.
Known to locals as “Millionaires’ Row”, this Kewarra Beach home with panoramic views out to sea sold for $1.45m in March.
11/79-83 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove
Price: $1.4m
Agent: Belle Property — Nicholas and Renae Slatyer
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at Palm Cove sold for $1.4m in March by Belle Property. With ocean views, this beachfront property has a light-filled open plan layout and includes two versatile living areas.
36/181 Esplanade, Cairns City
Price: $1.4m
Agent: FNQ Hot Property — Nathan Shingles
This 401sq m Cairns City apartment sold for $1.4m in November. The massive four-bedroom apartment is a stunning collaboration of architecture, exquisite design, upscale luxury.
1 Lagoon Drive, Trinity Beach
Price: $1.32m
Agent: RE/MAX — Ray Murphy
This six-bedroom house sitting on an 800sq m parcel of land at Trinity Beach sold for $1.32m in October.
The house is complete with an entertainer’s kitchen, built in pizza oven and sparkling Magna pool.
13-15 Soderberg Close, Redlynch
Price: $1.3m
Agent: Cairns Property Office Redlynch — Oliver Voss
This six-bedroom, 0.62ha semirural property in sought-after Redlynch sold for $1.3m in May.
It includes a four-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom granny flat.
Originally published as Cairns real estate: Top residential sales of 2020
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