Page 98 - Port Douglas Magazine 28

CORAL SEA LOVE AFFAIR

WORDS by Howard Salkow
7 Wharf Street with its signature lighthouse is described as a commanding address
in Port Douglas. For the Melbourne-based Cook family, Dean, Larah and their
three young girls, their resplendent waterfront treasure means so much more

Purchased two years ago, this centrally located property has become a part of the “This is a part of the world that has so much to offer: you are never too busy; it
Cook’s life and lifestyle. So much so, Larah views it as home-away-from-home. is laid back; it is relaxing; there are excellent restaurants; the view is something
special; the weather cannot be faulted and it is family-friendly.”
“The sheer spectacular offerings have constantly attracted us and this began
when we started renting it over a 10-year period as a holiday home. For the Cook family, who also own property in the Yarra Valley, a strong
connection in Port Douglas has been with respected realtor Barbara Wolveridge,
“It developed into a strong love affair and when it became available for purchase
who is now a Director of Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty.
two years ago, we jumped at the opportunity to buy,” said Larah
“I met Larah and Dean Cook long before I sold them their waterfront home.
Sitting at her dining room table with its unobstructed 180-degree views across
Larah’s father and Mike (my husband) had been business associates some time
the Coral Sea toward the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, Low Isles
back so there was a connection,” says Barbara.
to the Daintree Rainforest, Larah says the love affair with Seven Wharf Street
is just as real to that of Port Douglas itself. “They had been looking around for quite a while at several properties, before it
With husband Dean and her three girls – Viviana (9), Piper (4) and Maya (1) – was decided to auction 7 Wharf Street.
they ‘escape’ from Melbourne at least four times a year: at Christmas, Easter, and “Larah and I always knew they were the buyer, but Dean was the only one who
the June and September school holidays. didn’t. He’s a pretty smart fellow and ferocious negotiator. But we got there in
the end.
“To maximise our stay, we leave for port the day school breaks for the holidays
and return the night before the kids’ return to school. This ensures we get “I think Dean and Larah are a great couple and they love Port Douglas – they
maximum time in Port Douglas and at the house. are the ‘new guard’,” says Barbara.
“This clearly articulates how much we enjoy being here,” she says. 7 Wharf Street was also previously owned by former Tourism Queensland
chairman Don Morris and his wife Verity, close friends of the Wolveridge’s.
With its spectacular view and classic lighthouse, which adds to the property’s
charm, intrigue and allure, Larah says Port Douglas complements what the “It has always been one of my favourite addresses because we all arrived and built
house presents. our beautiful homes around the same time, so we became firm friends.
98 tourismportdouglas.com.au