Where a beachfront beauty meets enduring strength. Designed for Queensland Living

When Thomas and Kylie began searching for an investment property in Far North Queensland, they weren’t expecting to fall in love. Yet that’s exactly what happened when they found a beachside gem at Holloways Beach, just north of Cairns. Perfectly positioned on the oceanfront, this property, aptly named Ocean’s Edge, offered sweeping views, salty air, and the unmistakable sound of waves rolling ashore. Originally purchased as an investment, he quickly realised this might be more than just a holiday opportunity, it could be their forever home. Over the years Ocean’s Edge had undergone a few transformations. Once a humble beach shack, the home has evolved over time into a modern two storey residence at the front, with a charming colonial-style structure at the rear, tucked amid lush tropical gardens that open directly onto the sand.

“As soon as we saw the house, we fell in love with it”, says Thomas. “You can walk straight from the back gate into this incredible tropical landscape. You can lie in bed and watch and hear the waves. It’s quite amazing”.

Designed for Tropical Living

The heart of the home is its expansive, open plan design and a breathtaking beach facing deck on the upper level, a feature that Thomas describes as his favourite place to sit and relax. “The balcony is amazing” he says. “We sit there all the time. There's even a TV outside so you can play music or just relax and watch the ocean."

Louvred slats surround the deck, enhancing to the airflow and 'breeziness' - that combined with the high ceilings and ceiling fans provides the abundant natural cooling, promoting cross-ventilation and airflow so characteristic of Queensland homes. The balcony, added later in the property’s evolution, even extends over part of the free form swimming pool, providing shade from the tropical sun.

Recent upgrades included a new roof made from COLORBOND® Ultra steel in colour Surfmist®, perfectly complementing the fresh white palette of the home. The couple retained the same colour for the original front garage roof, maintaining harmony across the design. Subtle black accents, such as the balcony handrails and a sleek new kitchen, now frame the home’s predominantly white scheme, adding balance and contrast.

Tested in some of Australia’s Harshest Conditions

In this coastal environment, durability and protection were non negotiable. Ocean’s Edge is located within metres of the sea, where salt, humidity and storms are a reality of daily life. The choice of COLORBOND® Ultra steel was both practical and essential; designed and tested specifically for severe coastal conditions, it’s recommended for properties within 200 metres of breaking surf.

Choosing the colour Surfmist® also helps to keep the house cool, thanks to a combination of its light colour and COLORBOND® steel’s advanced Thermatech® solar reflectance technology which has special pigments that reflect more of the sun’s infrared heat, helping to reduce internal temperatures and contributing to lower energy costs*, a clever example of design meeting performance.

In a region known for cyclones, resilience is paramount with buildings required to withstand up to 220km/h Category 5 windspeeds and heavy debris. If you’re building in areas like this, it’s also good to know that roof systems made from COLORBOND® steel can be designed, engineered and installed with specific cyclonic fixing assemblies to be cyclone-rated, offering excellent wind and impact resistance. Back in December 2023, Cyclone Jasper hammered the coast of Far North Queensland, with Ocean’s Edge coming through it structurally intact. Cyclonic-rated roof systems made from COLORBOND® steel are a top choice in cyclone-prone areas around Australia, offering peace of mind for homeowners in Australia’s most demanding climates.

For Thomas and Kylie, the home continues to be a labour of love, a slice of paradise that they’re happy to share with their guests. Set against a backdrop of palm trees and ocean views, Ocean’s Edge is more than a coastal retreat; it’s a story of craftsmanship, resilience, and connection to place. An award-winning home discovered, renovated and loved by Thomas and Kylie, and proudly Made by Australia.

*Results will depend on roof colour, roof shape, level and location of insulation, type, location, shape, and function of the building.