REAL ESTATE | A mini resort built with maximum love
33 CORAL DRIVE
The moment you open the unassuming gate of this property you realise that you have entered into a unique realm. Like discovering a secret garden.
33 Coral Drive is one of the most unique properties in Port Douglas. With a capacity to accommodate 12 people extremely comfortably it is one of the highest performing holiday accommodation properties in the area.
This unique residence was the creative phoenix of Narelle Brazenor with her husband Graeme.
After attending a business conference together and visiting Port Douglas for the first time they fell in love with the place. Subsequent visits with their family staying in a variety of different styles of accommodation was fun for everyone and served as a great source of research for Narelle for designing her ultimate Port Douglas getaway.
Every house and accommodation place was a chance for Narelle to learn what she wanted and didn’t want in her own property. Living in Richmond in Victoria the architecture and design was directed to the Melbourne climate. Learning what worked in a tropical climate was another learning curve entirely.
Finally, in 2009 the opportunity arose to buy some land with 3 existing properties on it at 33 Coral Drive. The existing buildings were demolished and out of the brick dust rose their creation.
With three teenage children (and partners) all wanting their own privacy, the key design factor was to create a residence that not only fitted in with the environment, but also to create separate private areas. Narelle designed every bedroom to have its own ensuite bathroom, not unlike a mini resort.
Adding to the resort feel was the addition of a fully equipped gym and its proximity to the beach (2 min walk away).
The stunning living area opens out to create a seamless inside/outside area for poolside tropical living. The attention to detail is obvious. The kitchen has Pilbara Dream marble from WA, with waterfall edge finish, Travertine stone tiles (from Italy) surround the pool, Tasmanian Oak and Loune New Guinea Rosewood are used for the ceilings and finishes with termite resistant Jarrah for the floorboards.
The amazing skills of their builder Mike O’Farrell paid a big part in the successful outcome. As a skilled craftsman he hand made the wooden louvres and many of the other wooden installations. Narelle worked directly with Mike and skilled Building Designer, Jon Ewen-Smith to take initial concepts to bricks and mortar. Their partnership worked so well that Mike and Narelle remain close friends to this day.
The property has a modern Baliesque feel to it, not unlike the Niramaya villas. Separate structures for the different living areas, with covered walkway connections, creates an exotic vibe that is enhanced by the use of tropical flora and fauna (landscape design by Hortulus).
It is with sadness that Narelle and Graeme are looking to sell no. 33. As Narelle says “we’ve made such great friends in Port Douglas and have wonderful memories”, but with their children now being adults and Narelle and Graeme wanting to travel more without the responsibility of looking after such a large residence, they felt it was time.
A last family Brazenor holiday has been organised in 2020 to not only reminisce on their wonderful times spent in Port Douglas, but to celebrate the legacy of the amazing house they will leave behind.
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