Page 115 - Port Douglas Magazine 41

TIM & MATT

SMITH

PORT DOUGLAS
GETAWAYS

TIM AND MATT, brothers at the helm of Port Douglas Getaways, Their management approach is hands-on, with Matt having a keen
continue the legacy of their family business established 30 years eye for detail, ensuring the smallest problems are addressed, even
ago, offering a premier selection of quality holiday accommodation if it is after hours; diligence stemming from years of experience, in-
in Port Douglas. depth knowledge of each property, and a genuine drive to provide
Their family’s business roots extend back to their parents’ relocation a great holiday for their guests. They treat each property as if it
to Port Douglas in November ‘82. Larry and Robyn, their American were their own, fostering close relationships with owners, some of
father and Australian mother, met in a bar while in St. Thomas in the whom have been with them for 30 years.
Caribbean. A chance encounter led to the couple traversing the Working together as brothers, Matt and Tim seamlessly
globe before settling in a then little-known tropical paradise called complement each other, evident in their ‘yin and yang’ dynamic.
Port Douglas. Matt spends much of his time in the field, liaising with tradespeople
Initially, their father pursued his trade of carpentry while their mother and overseeing property management operations, while Tim
held various hospitality roles. Their journey took a unique turn when concentrates on owner relations, accounts, business development
their mother, known for her vigilant eye over the neighbourhood, and marketing. Their mutual trust enables them to effectively
was entrusted by a Southern property investor to oversee his address challenges.
three townhouses on Solander Boulevard. Balancing personal lives with work can be challenging,
This marked the family’s entry into the holiday home rental especially since Matt and Tim are always on call to
business, taking bookings via phone calls and faxes and “ handle emergencies. Despite the challenges of
sending marketing brochures via snail mail to would- managing urgent matters during family time,
be travellers. The hard work paid off with their especially during peak season, they strive to
portfolio of properties growing each year, long WORKING TOGETHER AS keep a healthy work-life balance and are
before the advent of Airbnb. BROTHERS, MATT AND TIM adamant they couldn’t achieve this without
Growing up, the business was a core part SEAMLESSLY COMPLEMENT an incredible long-standing team they
are lucky to have on board.
of Matt, Tim and their younger sister
Jaqui’s upbringing. With the nature of the EACH OTHER, EVIDENT Both Matt and Tim tied the knot with
industry, weekends would be spent helping IN THEIR ‘YIN AND YANG’ their respective partners in Port Douglas.
out wherever possible. Holidays and trips DYNAMIC Tim, who has two young children, spends his
abroad were solely reserved for the off season. free time working around the house and enjoys
quality family time. Matt and his partner prioritise
After completing high school in Cairns, Tim pursued “ wearing out their high-energy dog, running on the
higher education in Brisbane where he met his partner, beach and swimming in creeks, spending time with
Lauren, and they made their home in the inner city for a friends, and planning their own getaways.
decade while Tim focused on real estate sales.
Their love for Port Douglas is deeply rooted in the memories
However, city life drawbacks - constant traffic, congestion, and and connections they’ve built over the years. Growing up here
a lack of leisure time – were taking their toll, with Tim and Lauren and then leaving only strengthened their appreciation for the
questioning their urban lifestyle. The pull to return to Port Douglas beauty and uniqueness of the place.
was strong, especially with a desire to raise a family in a more
relaxed environment. Reflecting on their childhood in Port Douglas, Matt and Tim
Matt, having lived in Port Douglas for most of his life, always felt recall a simpler time when the town lacked major amenities like
supermarkets and the tourism industry was just beginning to take
a strong connection to the area. The thought of living in a busy off. Despite gradual changes over the years, the essence of the
city never appealed to him and despite stints living in Cairns, and town remains, and they believe this is why guests keep coming back
extensive travels throughout his twenties and early thirties, he year after year.
always found himself drawn back to his hometown.
In 2009, about 16 years after their parents established Port Douglas It is the seasonal nature of Port Douglas, with its beautiful weather
and relaxed atmosphere, that holds a special allure for Matt and
Getaways, Matt stepped into the family business, with Tim following Tim. As well, interacting with tourists daily reminds them of how
suit in 2016. Today, their parents are retired and the brothers maintain fortunate they are to call this place home.
the family’s long-standing emphasis on quality. Currently exclusively
overseeing 60 properties, they prioritise personalised service for
their guests and select properties in prime locations around town. portdouglasgetaways.com