Cairns Beaches marketplace has burgeoned during the past ten years and most recently we have seen enormous growth in the number of beachfront or near beachfront resorts and apartments to cater for the influx of international tourists. Partly as a result of the establishment of the Australian Airlines hub in Cairns and other major business opportunities in the city, Cairns’ population growth is one of the highest in the state.

Of course these people need to be housed and Cairns Beaches has become the new home for many, where a low-lying belt of lush sugar cane fields on the Barron River delta naturally separates the Cairns Beaches from the city precinct.

Increased population has brought increased services and shopping to the area and no longer do people have to make that trip to town (average 20 mins) for the weekly supplies or specialty item.

Housing

$280,000 - $290,000 is fast becoming the new lowest price for a property approximately twenty years old - with many being purchased for perceived land value only.

A reasonably modern four bedroom, two bathroom, air conditioned house with pool will most likely start around $360,000 - $380,000 range and new homes with similar features in the mid to high $400,000’s.

Land

Land is a scarce commodity on the ocean side of the Captain Cook Highway, however new land estates which are currently or soon to be released will alleviate some of this shortage.

Prices for newly released estate land could start at:-

Yorkeys Knob - $150000
Trinity Park - $142000
Kewarra Beach - $150000
Clifton Beach - $239000
Palm Cove - $200000

Available blocks on the western side of the highway commence at approximately $140000

Apartments

The range is quite vast depending on age, location, configuration and condition.

Older two bedroom, 1 bathroom from $165000
New two bedroom, 2 bathroom from $320000

Beachfront:
1 bedroom from $250000
2 bedroom from $350000
New 2 bedroom from $730000

Current percentage returns, coupled with the depreciation allowances are seeing strong sales to investors. Rental options include 6/12 month long term leases; 4-6 week medium term stays or holiday letting on multiple night or weekly stays. Many apartments buildings have on-site managers who work to ensure top condition of the grounds and to maximise the occupancy level.

Facilities

Shopping Centres

Major centers are located at Smithfield and Clifton Beach with well serviced suburban centers at Kewarra Beach, Trinity Beach, Yorkeys Knob Beach and Redlynch. The major centers are anchored by a Woolworths and/or Coles store plus many Australian franchised or chain specialty shops.

Schools

Cairns Beaches and the nearby suburbs of Caravonica, Smithfield, Kamerunga, Brinsmead, Redlynch and Freshwater are well serviced by a number of public and private primary and secondary schools.

Kewarra Beach

Trinity Anglican Primary School

Trinity Beach

State Primary

Trinity Park

Holy Cross Catholic Primary

Smithfield

State Secondary

Yorkeys Knob

State Primary

Machans Beach

State Primary

Caravonica

State Primary

Freshwater

State Primary

Redlynch

State Primary and Catholic Primary advancing to secondary

Kamerunga

Lutheran primary and secondary

Brinsmead

Christian primary and secondary

Medical

Cairns’ two major hospitals are located on the fringe of the CBD which is a 10-20 minute drive from most of Cairns northern and western suburbs. Smaller medical practices are found in most suburbs as are pharmacies. A 24hr medical service is in Cairns CBD.

Veterinary

A number of veterinary practices exist in the general locale.

Public Transport

Bus services from the beaches and western suburbs run every hour to the city and return.

Sunbus website - www.sunbus.com.au

Approximate travel time by car to:
Port Douglas - 45 minutes
Daintree - 120 minutes
Mossman - 55 minutes
Kuranda - 35 minutes
Atherton - 70 minutes
Innisfail - 60 minutes
Mission Beach - 150 minutes

Tourist Spots

Some useful links for things to see and do:
Tourism Tropical North
Queensland
Cairns City Council
Cairns Fishing