Unique Stays: Club Tropical Resort

The rebirth of a Macrossan Street icon

Words by Jamie Jansen

There are chapters in Port Douglas’s history that some live to remember and others are simply too young to know, but the stories left behind are well worth recounting. The glamorous 1980s brought an incredibly eccentric chapter to town; high-flying celebrity visits, grand visions, and the electric energy of a place transforming into a world-class playground.

Right in the thick of it was Club Tropical Resort, Port Douglas’s second oldest resort. Developed in August 1988 where Macrossan meets Wharf Street in the absolute heart of town, this iconic boutique hotel boasts what many consider the best views in town over the Coral Sea and the Dickson Inlet.

Known for its unapologetically flamboyant decor, the resort quickly earned a colourful 1980s reputation, fuelled by urban legends of hidden cash inside the walls and decades of celebrity party tales.

Now, decades later, this landmark is stepping into a sophisticated new era. The energy of the past has evolved into a deeply personal, family-led triumph, with the Star Resorts team, led by Daina and Daniel Keech alongside co-owner Jenny Fulton, driving a massive $2 million refurbishment.

The transformation trades yesteryear's eccentric boutique vibes for a chic day-club aesthetic. With a fresh focus on wellness, the space brings a stunningly redesigned pool landscape and exclusive wellness facilities. It’s a bold step forward, but to truly appreciate its soul, you must look back at the million-dollar dreams that started it all. 
 

Million-dollar dreams

Visionary locals Warren and Narelle Wearne developed the five-star Club Tropical complex at a reported cost of $15 million, sparing no expense. It was built right on the heels of flamboyant developer Christopher Skase’s Sheraton Grand Mirage, the project that put Port Douglas on the global map. The Wearnes, who also shaped local culinary icons including the long-standing Nautilus Restaurant, created a resort that was unapologetically bold.

Seeking to bring artistic prestige to the property, Narelle Wearne commissioned iconic designer Linda Jackson to shape its visual identity. A pioneer of Australia’s kaleidoscopic fashion scene, Linda had worked with Jenny Kee at Sydney’s Flamingo Park Frock Salon in the '70s before opening her own Kings Cross studio in the '80s. For this commission, she painted environment-inspired artworks in a massive Mossman creative shed, which were then hand-printed onto custom room textiles.

Rather than cookie-cutter hotel spaces, these fabrics dressed a flamboyant carousel of themed spaces across the 50-room boutique icon. The suites immersed guests in international styles like the exotic "African" and lush "Bali" rooms, alongside vibrant spaces dedicated entirely to local reef, rainforest, and tropical themes. The vibrant decor even extended to the guest elevator, featuring a custom pink hibiscus print laminated directly into the walls. Today, that heritage lives on, with the resort still holding many of her original paintings.

Over the years, Club Tropical changed hands a few times before the family-owned Star Resorts team took the reins 10 years ago, breathing fresh life into the property while proudly keeping its rich heritage alive.
 

A sophisticated new era

It had been nearly a quarter of a century since the resort's last major artistic overhaul. While its colourful character never faded, a transformation on this scale was long overdue. The Star Resorts team wanted to ensure the recent 2026 makeover honoured the building's bold past while seamlessly stepping into a relaxed, modern wellness luxury.

The resulting $2 million transformation masterfully delivers a chic, day-club aesthetic across the property. The pool and wellness area is a visual masterpiece, serving as the crown jewel of the ground level and the only venue in Port Douglas to offer these state-of-the-art facilities. Designed with a soft, natural palette inspired by the sand quays, reef, and rainforest, this poolside oasis features a heated pool with hydro fountains, a steam room, a hot rock sauna, an 18-degree cold plunge pool, and stylish cabana day-beds. The entire space is accented by striking, hand-done tiles personally curated by Daina and Jenny.

Upstairs, the design intentionally caters to the resort's many multi-generational travellers by separating the leisure spaces into two distinct tropical experiences. The “reef” themed BBQ deck offers perfect sunset views over the Coral Sea, styled with vibrant blue umbrellas. Further up, a spacious “rainforest” leisure deck features lush plants, cosy sofas, and a highly versatile extendable long table designed for large family gatherings.

Not only did the leisure decks receive a major upgrade, but virtually all 40 short-term stay rooms, ranging from studios to expansive three-bedroom apartments, were updated over the low season. This massive effort was guided by Jenny, who donated her interior design expertise completely free of charge to collaborate directly with the individual unit owners, whose combined investments made the upgrade possible.

“This transformation has been a true labour of love for our family, and we couldn't have done it without the incredible support of our apartment owners,” Daina says. “Now, we just can't wait to welcome visitors, as well as the local community, to come and experience it.”

Click here to book your stay with Club Tropical Resort.