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A Grove of Their Own
Like most good Port Douglas stories, this one began
with a simple visit that turned into a decades-long
family holiday tradition. For more than 30 years,
Graham and Jane Williams have been holidaying in
our slice of tropical paradise, so it’s of no surprise
that their newly refurbished and now ready-to-rent
apartment embodies everything you would want in a
tropical getaway.
Words by Lisa Keller
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spacious, without
ever feeling wasted
and the large
communal areas
create feelings
of openness and
expansion.
Ideally located at the Four Mile end of Macrossan Street, Coconut Grove couple stayed in Coconut Grove four separate times over those years, with Reimagined with purpose
stands as an icon of the Port Douglas landscape. Its large frontage greets each visit cementing the same realisation: That this was the place they
you each time you turn onto the town’s vibrant main street and too often wanted to return to again and again. Graham and Jane purchased what would soon become the Deluxe Terrace
you’ll see holidaymakers looking down from their rooftop pools. Pool Apartment in 2022 and quickly began renovations. With the help of
“We just couldn’t look past the building, the management and of course the acclaimed local interior designer, Janet Morris, they set out to bring their
But not all apartments within the luxury residence are created equal, with location,” he said. “It was a no-brainer in the end”. vision to life.
one standing out among the rest. A rare, dual level, five-bedroom residence Made for living “The key design focus of the house was to make sure it had lots of different,
sits inside (the only one of its kind in the building) that has been designed Graham and Jane’s intimate understanding of Port Douglas and what usable spaces,” Graham explained. And that’s exactly what they did. The
not just with luxury in mind, but lifestyle.
layout is spacious, without ever feeling wasted and the large communal
Deluxe Terrace Pool Apartment, owned by Graham and his wife Jane, has makes a stay here memorable is evident throughout the home, with its areas create feelings of openness and expansion.
all the benefits of a stay at Coconut Grove — steps from the beach, walking features and layout reflecting their three decades of history to living and
distance to your favourite restaurants, beautiful facilities, safety and style holidaying here. Tiles were replaced with floorboards, furniture was upgraded, and the
— but with the added bonus of a strategically designed, multi-generational It’s designed for the way people want to holiday: together, but not on top glasses, crockery and linen were replaced with something a little more luxe.
layout. What does that mean? It means the couple have used their years of of each other. Whether you’re a group of friends, family with young and Even the art was thoughtfully considered, sourced from local galleries.
“Everyone told us we couldn’t put nice artwork in a rental and we said,
family holiday experience to create a space that is not just beautiful, but teenage children or even a wedding party, you’ll never feel there isn’t “why not?!”’Jane laughed.
functional.
enough space. Even down to the ensuites. Every bedroom has one, and a
A story three decades in the making generous one at that. What was once an old home theatre room became a dedicated office space,
Few people know that a five-bedroom apartment even exists within Coconut another feature included though years of travel experience. “In this day
If you’ve been visiting Port Douglas for more than 30 years, you learn a thing Grove, assuming that for larger groups, they have to look elsewhere. and age, our work follows us so we wanted to make sure we had a room,
so guests had a private space to set up away from distraction if it’s needed,”
or two about what makes a stay memorable. Graham grew up holidaying
here, with his late father’s home perched on the hill above town, and what Set across two levels, the apartment offers true personal space for every Graham explained.
he remembers most is the convenience. The location. The ease of being able guest complemented perfectly by the open, communal style living areas The result is a full refurbishment that feels elevated, beachy and
to run down to the beach or shoot across to get an ice cream after dinner. where the whole group can come together. effortlessly liveable. A place you’ll want to return to time and time again.
And after years of renting around Port Douglas once he reached adulthood,
this became even more evident. A private pool terrace overlooking Macrossan Street, a front door on each
level for privacy, access to the main Coconut Grove pool below and gardens
“We spent more than 10 years renting in different areas around town to that wrap the walkways in greenery. It’s a literal oasis hidden right in the coconutgroveportdouglas.com.au
really get to know each section and its pros and cons,” Graham said. The heart of town.
PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 35