RACE season on the Whitsundays is well and truly here, with the 2019 Airlie Beach Race Week: Festival of Sailing and the Hamilton Island Race Week both taking place from now through until 24th August.
However, not all the action takes place on the water.
According to real estate doyen Carol Carter, the property market is also a focus for the national and international visitors who flock to the North Queensland dream destination for the annual A-list events.
Ms Carter, part of the prestigious Sotheby’s International Realty group, says Hamilton Island Race Week brings a discerning clientele to the area, many of whom look to make a real estate investment in the region.
“Race Week sees more and more people falling in love with the area,” Ms Carter says. “Many of these are looking at investing in a holiday home or moving to the area.”
Ms Carter, who handles many of the region’s most celebrated and significant properties, says there are some stunning homes on the market during Race Week 2019, including the spectacular 7 Forest Lane home of prominent Queensland property developer Cliff Hill.
“The Forest Lane home is a perfect example of why people want to move to The Whitsundays,” Ms Carter says.
“It is a magnificent home. Sophisticated yet practical, high-end yet understated, and views that are truly unsurpassed.
“Cliff and his wife Freya have created an outstanding home, and we know there will be a lot of interest in it.”
Just a five-minute drive from the Port of Airlie, 7 Forest Lane is located at the peak of Mount Whitsunday, surrounded by tropical rainforest, high above the Whitsunday township. With sweeping 300-degree views of the sparkling Coral Sea, this home has been masterfully designed by Paul Curran, principal of PUSH Architects, in conjunction with owners Cliff and Freya.
Mr Hill, who over his 50-year building career has built over 2,300 houses and over 600 units in Queensland alone, says he never tires of creating homes people love, and Forest Lane was no exception.
“This location is so spectacular, we wanted to respect the natural elements and build a home that is quite simple really, not fussy or overdone,” Mr Hill says. “The home is sophisticated, practical and lets the location take centre stage.”
Maximising the natural elements of the north facing site, with an emphasis on modern open plan living, the home features beautiful Tallowwood joinery, a gourmet kitchen with a spacious pantry and four king sized bedrooms, each with breathtaking views.
The covered terrace with BBQ kitchen is perfect for outdoor entertaining and is enhanced by a stunning mosaic tiled pool.
Cliff says the home is a place to be enjoyed, whether entertaining guests, or enjoying some quiet time admiring the stunning sunset with a glass of wine.
“Waking up here is really something,” Cliff says. “The view alone makes the simple act of sitting on the deck in the mornings a wonderful experience.”
Extra attention to design detail, engineering and construction techniques have made this a rock-solid home able to withstand the worst mother nature can bestow.
“When we briefed the engineers, I said ‘Go overboard. Make this home as strong as possible’ and they did,” Mr Hill says. “The house has been put to the test and it came through brilliantly.”
Other features include an internal lift adjacent to the oversized garage, a climate-controlled wine and storage cellar, solar panels, backup generator, reticulation, and water tanks.
Wander through low maintenance gardens which include a fire pit and an extensive tropical orchard, which is a particular passion of the Hills.
“A few years ago I built a development in Ipswich, where we integrated beneficial landscaping – giving all residents access to fruit trees,” Mr Hill says. “It was so well received, that I have tried to implement beneficial landscaping ever since. Here at Forest Lane we have this wonderful orchard, with over 30 types of fruits.
“In the morning, I wander down and pick the fruit we will have for breakfast – it really is idyllic.”
The home is completed by a flat grassy pad at the property entrance which features a large shed with additional car parking and boat storage.
Ms Carter says she expects the home to generate strong interest during Race Week. “It’s a beautiful, well-designed, and solidly constructed home in a stunning location with views you simply won’t find anywhere else.”
7 Forest Lane
https://queenslandsothebysrealty.com/20308605/7-forest-lane-airlie-beach
Domestic “Domus” lift from garage entry level to each level
4 king size bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 powder room
Well-appointed kitchen, Corian Benchtops, Meile oven, steam oven, integrated fridge, Highland gas cooktop, Walk in pantry
Laundry with Corian benchtops, ample storage throughout the home Architecturally designed and custom-made tallowwood joinery
Tallowwood flooring on ground level
Tretford goat’s hair carpet and European tiles on second level
Quality fixtures and fittings throughout – including Haiku Big Ass Fans, Winkleman tiles, Australian made tapware
European basins, toilets and European lighting throughout
External, undercover BBQ/kitchen/dining area
Ducted Air-Conditioning throughout
Fully tiled pool, mosaic tiles, Enviro Swim’ pool with heating Hot water shower in pool area
Beautifully fitted out, temperature controlled wine cellar
Solar panels – 6.5kw
Double garage plus 6m x 6m shed with undercover parking bay
Orchard featuring over 50 different species of tropical fruits
Reticulation to the gardens Town water + 35,000 litre rainwater tank with switch over system and first flush system. Connected to town sewerage system
17 KVA generator – capacity to run entire house at maximum power use
CCTV systems in place. Auto security gate to the property
Tennis Court on estate, maintained by the body corporate
The only way is up – our Whitsunday dream picks
Ms Carter says the Whitsunday property market, which has seen a renewed surge in activity and sales figures in recent months, currently features a host of stunning properties.
Here are three of our favourites.
HIDDEN COVE, HAMILTON ISLAND
https://queenslandsothebysrealty.com/20610973/hidden-cove-6-6-acacia-drive-hamilton-island
A magnificent single standing two level home with huge open plan living, dining and kitchen areas, all with breathtaking views of the crystal clear Whitsunday waters. (High Res Images in Link at Top)
SOUTHWINDS, HAMILTON ISLAND
https://queenslandsothebysrealty.com/20136022/southwinds-3-dianella-close-hamilton-island
One of the largest homes offered for sale, with seven bedrooms (making holiday rentals for large groups very attractive), Southwinds features extensive living and entertaining areas, a large gourmet kitchen, generous dining area with a huge lounge and bar area.
WHITSUNDAY WATERS, HAMILTON ISLAND
https://queenslandsothebysrealty.com/20136285/11-great-northern-highway-hamilton-island
For the first time in 20 years, this icon of Hamilton Island elite living is on the market, with sprawling living areas, breathtaking entertainment areas, world class luxury and views that are simply to die for. Beautifully integrated into a purpose designed, and magnificently manicured tropical garden oasis on 2,000sqm of elevated hillside.
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