Easy access to paradise

Nothing is perfect, but a luxury house facing an unspoilt beach and surrounded by rainforest-capped mountains can come very close.

Oceans Edge, an exclusive residential resort village in Palm Cove, Queensland, Australia, has all of these attributes as well as easy access to transport and all the facilities of a modern community.

Palm Cove is the doorway to the magnificent Daintree Rainforest and a short boat trip from the stunning underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. Just 20 minutes from Cairns International Airport, it is easily reached, yet is far enough away to maintain its internationally famed tranquil village atmosphere and lifestyle.

The Oceans Edge community has been carefully planned to preserve this pristine environment, which is naturally its greatest asset. Planners have incorporated cutting-edge ecologically sustainable development features that not only provide protection for the surrounding natural treasures, but also reduce energy and water consumption and allow the seamless integration of built and natural environments.

Oceans Edge measures about 40 hectares, including a hotel resort. The village is being developed in three different stages. One hundred houses are now being built in the first stage, with 300 more eventually being built in the next two stages.

'This is a unique project in Queensland since the land in Oceans Edge is the last piece available in Palm Cove,' said David Stafford, general manager sales and marketing for Indigo, which develops Oceans Edge.

'We have downgraded the number of Oceans Edge houses to ensure that the residential area is truly exclusive,' he said.

Mr Stafford, who was recently in Hong Kong to promote the development, said many Hong Kong professionals were interested in buying properties in Australia. 'Some of them use it as a holiday home, others regard it as an investment. There are also Australians working here who want to buy a house for themselves when they are sent back home,' he said.

Sizes of the houses range from 200 to 450 square metres and sell for between A$875,000 (HK$5.78 million) and A$2.5 million.

Community facilities and retail outlets such as fashion boutiques and grocery shops are accessible, as well as award-winning restaurants within walking distance.

Indigo is no stranger to many Hong Kong property investors. Over the past seven years, it has been selling properties here. 'We regard Hong Kong as an important market with a strong buying power,' said Indigo managing director Mitchell Nielsen.

Given the nation's strong economic growth and low unemployment, Mr Nielsen was optimistic that expatriates would continue to invest in the Australian property market.