Cairns real estate: Palm Cove, Trinity Park lead million-dollar sales in July-September quarter

Thirteen homes cracked the $1 million mark for real estate sales in Cairns in the past quarter – and eight of them were in one postcode. Take a look at the stunning properties.

POSTCODE 4879 has cemented its status as the hottest in a sizzling Far North property market, with eight of 13 homes to break the $1m in the last quarter on the northern beaches.

Data on homes sold from July 1 to September 30 reveal the real estate boom has shown no sign of abating and Palm Cove and Trinity Park are particularly sought after by southerners seeking refuge from Covid lockdowns.

But it was an unpretentious little Queenslander – albeit with development approval in place for a three-storey apartment complex – that was the top-priced home with 231 Esplanade, Cairns North, selling for $2.87m.

Housing in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke.

And while the northern beaches dominate the top end of the market in Cairns region, there’s a demand for beautiful design and high-end finishing touches in homes on expansive land.

CoreLogic data shows that nationally, house prices increased by 1.5 per cent in September. From December 2019 to June 2021, the average dwelling price in Australia shot up by $144,000 to $835,700.

Compared with Brisbane’s median of $709,136, the Cairns region’s median is highly appealing for southern buyers.

TOP SALES FROM JULY 1 – SEPTEMBER 30

$2.87m 231 Esplanade Cairns North

This unpretentious Queenslander on a prime piece of land was passed in at auction and subsequently fetched a price that surpassed all home sales in the Cairns region sales for the quarter. Houses on the Esplanade are rarely on the market and have fetched more than $1m for the past decade.

231 Esplanade, which has plans for three storey apartments in place, sold for $2.87m. Picture: Supplied

$2m 63 Foley Rd, Palm Cove

Boasting superlative ocean views and a celebrity-style deck, this four bedroom, four bathroom home on a sprawling 3208sq m block was owned by Stephen O’Reilly, managing partner at O’Reilly Stephens Lawyers. A four bedroom home on the same street sold for $2m in May this year.

Glorious ocean views add to the attraction of 63 Foley Rd, Palm, Cove, which sold for $2m. Picture: supplied.

$1.775m 70 Kewarra St, Kewarra Beach

The generously proportioned oceanfront two storey home on 1650 sqm was built in 1974 and is modestly appointed by today’s standards but it is in a prized location on a tightly held little street. It has been rented for $1500 per week. The house at 80 Kewarra St fetched $2.7m in 2017.

Built in 1974, this home at 70 Kewarra St commands a prime oceanfront position and sold for $1.775m. Picture: supplied.

$1.55m 120 Nolan St Whitfield

Set well back against a mountain of greenery, this five bedroom home on 1,366 sqm was offered for the first time. It has city views, extensive use of glass and magnificent gardens.

120 Nolan St Whitfield sold for $1.55m. Picture: supplied.

$1.48m 14/79-83 Williams Esp, Palm Cove

Apartments on this sought after beachfront strip don’t seem to come up very often, and like this modern, airy three bedroom unit, they command a premium. Apartment prices regularly fetch a minimum of $1.4m, with a three-bedroom apartment selling in June for $1.65m.

79-83 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove. Picture: supplied.

$1.25m 97A Moore Rd, Kewarra Beach

This superb, minimalist home has won multiple awards for its sleek design. It combines elements of the 1970s with futuristic industrial finishes for a creative and highly functional effect. A house site on Moore Rd sold for $935,000 in February and dwellings at 136-166 Moore St start at about $730,000.

97A Moore Rd, Kewarra Beach is a multiple award-winning home that sold for $1.25m. Picture: supplied.

$1.25m 2-4 Sudbury Close, Clifton Beach

Set in an elevated position with ocean views and a rainforest backdrop, this six bedroom home is on a generous 8102 sqm block. It is the first property to be sold at the closely-held location since 7 Sudbury Close sold for $800,000 in 2019.

2-4 Sudbury Close, Clifton Beach sold for $1.25m. Picture: supplied.

$1.24m 61 Harbour Dve, Trinity Park

Unassuming street frontage gives way to an executive style home at the hottest street address in the Far North in present. The luxurious home is on 830 sqm – a generous size for the area – and has a seven metre pontoon on the canal. Two properties on Harbour Drive sold for $1.3m and $1.5m respectively earlier this year.

Three properties on Harbour Drive have sold for more than $1m this year, including 61 Harbour Drive, which sold for $1.24m. Picture: supplied.

$1.216m 430 Mayers St, Edge Hill

Superbly renovated, this grand home in a hillside niche with enchanting mountain views has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and is on a 1,954 sqm block. While units and townhouses change hands regularly on Mayers St, houses are harder to come by with the last house sale more than a year ago.

430 Mayers St, Edge Hill, is being marketed by Colliers International. Picture: supplied.

$1.185m 54 Ocean Dr, Palm Cove

This award-winning three bedroom home with state-of-the-art amenities has striking design with soaring ceilings and timber features and it is 200m from the beach. Only one other home on Ocean Dr has come to market in the last two years and it sold for $1.205m.

54 Ocean Drive, Palm Cove, sold for $1.185m. Picture: supplied.

$1.15m 11 Trivia St, Palm Cove

Striking topiary at the entrance to this four bedroom home sets it apart and the interior is roomy and elegant. Only six properties on Trivia St have changed hands in the last six years.

11 Trivia St, Palm Cove, sold for $1.15m. Picture: supplied.

$1.1m 11 Apollo Quay, Trinity Park

Bluewater Harbour Estate continues to dominate the luxury market and this five bedroom pavilion style home with a private pontoon and finishes such as granite benches in the kitchen continues a theme of strong sales for Apollo Quay with five properties sold in the past 12 months.

11 Apollo Quay, Trinity Park, fetched $1.1m. Picture: supplied.

$1.075m 1-3 Quoll St, Redlynch

Demand for lifestyle acreage at Redlynch continued with this 550 sqm home on .41ha quickly snapped up. It has room for three cars at the house as well as a huge five bay garage and room for all the toys.

1-3 Quoll St, Redlynch, sold for $1,075,000. Picture: supplied.

Originally published as Cairns real estate: Palm Cove, Trinity Park lead million-dollar sales in July-September quarter