First-class: Jetstar high-flyer lists luxury Palm Cove home

HAVING piloted commercial aircraft in and out of major airports all around the world, David Probert and his wife Sharron one day landed in Palm Cove, not knowing they were about to stumble on a piece of land where they would build their first-class home.

The stunning architecturally-designed luxury property at 9 Colonel Cummings Drive is the definition of opulence and design, with a price guide of $8,000,000.

“We landed in Cairns with no intention of buying land, but on the very first day in FNQ, we came across this piece of land that had some of the best views we’d ever seen and we knew straight away this plot could be home,” Mr Probert said.

“I’d never considered building before but it was always my wife’s dream, so we bought the land at auction, and we took two years coming up with in-depth design ideas before beginning the five-year build.

“We were both living overseas and Sharron moved back to Australia to oversee the project from start to finish, and what we delivered is something beyond our wildest dreams.”

Mr Probert, who was a pilot for a number of airlines including EVA Air before moving to Flight Operations Senior Manager at Jetstar, has been in aviation for 40 years and spent years in China, Taipei and Bali.

“I’ve had the pleasure of flying B747 and A330 aircraft all over the world and I was lucky enough to be the one to introduce the Airbus fleet in Taipei,” he said.

“I’ve been an airline executive for 25 years, and I joined Jetstar 11 years ago, so this project has been something very different to what I’m used to.

“Sharron and I have been married for 29 years and it’s been wonderful being able to work on a project of this magnitude together. She’s very much into materials and colours, so she was critical to the final design of the property.

“We wanted a really substantial home, and not just in size, with some of the walls being more than half a metre thick with local stone used on the outside.

“We searched long and hard for the best architect and after a number of meetings with the renowned Roger Mainwood, we knew there was no one better for us.

“We also searched for the best interior designer to really deliver the vision we had – and he spent five years flying in and out of Palm Cove from Sydney for the project.

“It’s unique in the fact it has total privacy. The property sits high off the verge, 12 metres on one side and 30 metres on the other, where it is cantilevered over a steep drop.

“The windows give you a 270-degree outlook and the stunning views can be enjoyed from every room, with the pool also shrouded in complete privacy.

“Roger Mainwood really was fantastic. He pointed out the views were so amazing and so wide-ranging that we needed to segment them to stop us from becoming overwhelmed, so we used the cement support pillars to split the views.

“We wanted to deliver a tropical kind of home, but with sophistication and cutting edge technology, and we haven’t regretted a single decision we’ve made because we’ve taken our time.

“All the external timber is teak imported from Burma and deliberately has the low-grey beachy look to it.

“A real triumph is the roof, made of heavy cement to really ground the home, but it’s topped by a zinc roof with sharp lines to make it look lightweight and tropical.”

Mr Probert said he would happily spend the rest of his life in the stunning home, but family circumstances meant he and his wife need to move further south.

“We thought this would be our forever home so we really haven’t scrimped on anything. The buyer will be getting something of the highest quality,” he said.

“I’d love someone to come in and really appreciate just how much work has gone in to this home, down to the very last detail.

“The materials and styles are meticulous and its made for someone who wants a relaxed luxury style of living.”

Ray White Coolangatta Licensed Sales Agent Jason Monk said the property was the jewel in Palm Cove’s crown and exuded excessive detailing done so well that it created an exquisite experience for the senses.

“Inside, the interior designer has ensured no detail has been overlooked in the creation of an abode that’s comfortable, functional and ultimately luxurious,” Mr Monk said.

“A blend of honed limestone and Tallowood timber flow underfoot while timbers such as spotted gum, black bean and sally wattle feature throughout.

“The kitchen is a masterpiece with a sleek and contemporary design concealing the day-to-day appliances.

“There's a concealed additional Liebherr refrigerator and freezer and cold room for entertaining, a Siemens induction cooktop, oven and dishwasher, plus a beautiful North Queensland black bean timber breakfast bar and French Basaltina stone benches.”

Ray White Port Douglas Sales Manager Mark Flinn said there were four bedrooms, three bathrooms and an abundance of living space inside and out.

“From the cozy library to the sun-drenched deck, media room and adjoining guest kitchenette, the poolside living area and dedicated entertaining space, there’s plenty of room to host friends, relax or simply take in those views,” Mr Flinn said.

“The layout has been designed to take in the sweeping ocean views over the treetops and out to the surrounding mountains, Double Island, Cape Tribulation and beyond with the 80,000- litre infinity-edge pool offering the best place to take advantage of the vista.

“This is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime property.”