Paradises on your doorstep

Want a holiday home but don’t want to travel great distances to get there? Bianca Keegan has compiled a list of properties for Far Northerners seeking a getaway close to home.

FROM Mission Beach to Cape Tribulation – the tropics have always been a popular holiday destination.

While it is no surprise Port Douglas and Mission Beach are dotted with holiday homes, securing a rainforest retreat in Kuranda and the Daintree is also rising in demand.

Kuranda real estate agent Sonia Poole is currently marketing a pavilion-style home at 5 Gregory Tce for $595,000.

“It has been operating as a holiday home for the owners for several years and has been regularly booked,” Ms Poole said.

“The sellers live in Cairns and the home is specifically an investment.”

The rainforest retreat was built about 25 years ago and features private pavilions with large undercover decks connecting the sleeping and living quarters.

“This property is definitely an ideal escape and relaxing getaway,” she said.

“Kuranda offers stunning waterfalls, amazing rainforest walks and adventures, loads of hidden pristine swimming holes along with natural and abundant wildlife.

“Where else can you experience a cassowar y walking through your backyard?”

Ray White Mission Beach marketing agent Dick Williams said the town 140km south of Cairns also offered a unique experience without the hustle and bustle of other holiday destinations.

Just 80m from the beach, Mr Williams has listed a prime holiday home at 8 Conch St for $695,000.

“It ’s a modern home with tropical design, a large pool, privacy for holiday guests, locat- ed across from the beach with easy beach access and Mission Beach Tourist Village is about 1km north,” he said.

“It ’s just perfect to stroll along the 12km beach to Mission Beach Shopping Village for great coffee and food in the popular restaurant precinct with no fewer than 13 cafes and restaurants all clustered together.”

Here are five most welcoming homes to consider for the ultimate “staycation”.

Address/ 5 Gregory Tce, Kuranda Features/ Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, pavilion design, nestled in the rainforest with a seasonal creek, ideal for entertaining and separate living spaces. Price/ $595,000 KURANDA RAINFOREST RETREAT

Address/ Unit 21, 35 Mowbray St, Port Douglas Features/ Three bedroom apartment in Cayman Villas, 4.5 star luxury resort, walking distance to Four Mile Beach and the main street of Port Douglas, weekly room servicing, fullyequipped kitchen with...

Address/ 110 Railway Ave, Cooktown Features/ Hobby farm on 11.73 hectares (29 acres), near-new two-bedroom home, room to add more accommodation, three-bay lockup machinery shed and packing area, worker’s accommodation with bedroom and bathroom, two...

Address/ 39 Cape Tribulation Rd, Kimberley Features/ Self-sufficient threebedroom Queenslander on 1.2 hectares (3 acres), set among tropical rainforest, it has an entertainment deck, workshop, lagoon, seasonal creek, solar energy and back-up...

Address/ 8 Conch St, Mission Beach Features/ Three bedrooms with ensuites and private individual decks, office, inground pool, Balinese-inspired outdoor entertaining area, beach access walkway and proximity to Dunk and Bedarra islands, cafes,...