Port Douglas trophy home sells to cashed-up young family from Melbourne

A spectacular Port Douglas trophy home has been snapped up for $6.8 million after only just over one month on the market.

The property at 7 Wharf Street, once owned by former Tourism Queensland chairman Don Morris and his wife Verity, was bought by a young couple from Melbourne, who plan to use it as a holiday home with their children.

As holiday homes go, it’s the stuff dreams are made of; with unobstructed, 180-degree views across the Coral Sea towards the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef Low Islands, to the Daintree Rainforest, it’s a veritable paradise complete with a healthy dose of luxury.

Inspired by plantation-style British West Indies architectural style – cathedral ceilings, open island house plan, columns and louvre shutters to maximise the breezes – it’s as stunning as it is practical for the climate.

Raine & Horne agent Barbara Wolveridge secured the deal and says it illustrates Port Douglas’ rapidly changing demographic, where long-term, 20-year residents are moving out and young couples and families are moving in.

“These wealthy young couples and families are able to work remotely – that factor alone has changed things significantly,” she says.

“Our Wi-Fi is as good as anywhere else, which means they can get the dream trophy home and the lifestyle and work … this factor alone has opened up Port Douglas real estate to all over the world.”

Port Douglas has long been a tropical playground for wealthy business executives, who have made it their escape for the winter months.

“We’ve always had people here who have a lot of money – nobody cares. It’s a totally different world, it’s private, it’s spectacular, and it’s also still amazing value,” Ms Wolveridge says.