Life on the Water

Following is a selection of the newest and most hospitable waterfront residential and marina developments. The facilities are first class, and so is the lifestyle...

WHISPER BAY, AIRLIE BEACH
Seventy-four islands in the heart of Great Barrier Reef country offer a unique opportunity 'Out of the Blue'.

The booming township of Airlie Beach in tropical north Queensland offers unparalleled opportunities of absolute waterfront living. Airlie Beach is the closest mainland town to the Great Barrier Reef and the gateway to a marine playground with 74 unspoilt islands.

Surrounded by Conway National Park and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, opportunities like this are rare indeed. The waterfront villa seen hereabouts, is due to be completed in mid 2008. It is adjacent to world class Meridien Marinas Abel Point and even boasts a 24m berth for your convenience.

The luxury villa, located in the prestigious Whisper Bay development, has been designed by international award winning architects to enjoy the vista of the Coral Sea and nearby islands. The home is designed for casual indoor-outdoor living, with a nine-metre pool, rooftop terrace, a balcony from the master bedroom overlooking the ocean, and set in lush tropical landscaped grounds.

The two-storey villa features three large bedrooms (all with access to its own balcony) and two bathrooms on the first floor. The open-plan living area and kitchen with quality fixtures on the ground floor open up to the landscaped courtyard, a perfect spot for a barbecue or a drink by your private pool while listening to the water lapping on your doorstep. A third bathroom, a second terrace and a two-car garage can also be found on the ground floor.

Airlie Beach and nearby Hamilton Island are home to some of Australia's most prestigious regattas - Meridien Airlie Beach Race Week and Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, not to mention the Multihull Rendezvous Airlie Beach regatta and the international Hamilton Island outrigger regatta.

There are plenty of ways to discover this aquatic playground, with snorkelling, scuba-diving, fishing and pristine beaches. One of the world's most famous beaches, Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island is only a short boat trip away. Every Wednesday, the Whitsunday Sailing Club has twilight racing.

There are daily flights from most major Australian cities to the airports on Hamilton Island and Proserpine.

For more info, phone (07) 4946 2055; 0438 464 813, or email: taniabennett@prd.com.au

MARTHA COVE MARINA
From waking to the sounds of lapping waves to an early evening stroll along the harbourside, Martha Cove Apartments offers a relaxing boardwalk lifestyle on Melbourne's scenic Mornington Peninsula.

Investing in a modern, well-appointed apartment is an opportunity to enjoy convenient, hassle-free living.

Securing that apartment on a popular, beachlined peninsula is an investment in not only an attractive residence but an entire lifestyle.

Martha Cove Apartments, from developer Indigo, presents just such a lifestyle allure to potential buyers.

Essentially, Martha Cove offers relaxed boardwalk living - the sounds of waves, the nearby bustling beaches, and strolling to your favourite local harbour restaurant are all part of the ambience that encapsulates Martha Cove.

Designed by SJB Architects, all 60 of the sleek two and three-bedroom Martha Cove apartments have been carefully laid out to maximise the views of the Mornington coastal lifestyle.

In all, the development consists of 12 beachside apartments, 38 harbourside apartments and 10 marina terraces.

Buyers can opt to live in a Martha Cove residence all year round, or simply lock it up and return in the holidays.

The apartments' location, within a safe, secure community, provides peace of mind as well as an abundance of coastal scenery.

Looking out from apartment interiors finished in classic, low-maintenance materials such as timber, stone and glass, occupants take in views of the Martha Cove and Port Phillip Bay beyond.

Design options include a private terrace courtyard, a balcony or winter garden. The winter gardens open up to the apartments' interiors via sliding glass doors - adding to the versatility of the two-car parking spaces, lock-up storage, a resident swimming pool, sundeck and a Bocce or yoga lawn are some of the amenities dedicated to all apartments in the boutique seaside community.

Mornington Peninsula is as famous for its beaches as for its chardonnay and pinot served at local harbour restaurants.

Martha Cove boasts a number of nearby attractions, not least the bustling marina at its doorstep. Set in a safe harbour, all marina berths are accessed by a public boat ramp and boardwalk.

Early purchasers will have the opportunity to secure a freehold or leasehold marina berth.

Whether as a full-time home, a holiday getaway, or even an investment for retirement or the children, Martha Cove Apartments by Indigo offer a lifestyle of bustling harbourside activity and sheer relaxation.

For further information, phone 1800 098 908, or visit www.marthacoveharbour.com.au.

PORT BINNLI'S QLD DEVELOPMENTS
Port Binnli Pty Ltd was formed in November, 1993 to develop a marina project at Raby Bay, Southeast Queensland.

The company has grown significantly in the last 14 years and is now a multi-million dollar enterprise with projects throughout Qld - the largest Mackay Marina Village.

Port Binnli designs, builds, owns and operates marina facilities, waterfront residential and commercial precincts, integrating and blending design themes and concepts into the natural environment.

Developments by Port Binnli are aimed at delivering net benefits to the community in terms of economic, environmental and social aspects appropriate to the company's commitment to sustainable development.

Currently Port Binnli have three developments on the market - Captains Corner at Mackay Marina Village, Admiralty Raby Bay and Flagship Airlie Beach.

Captains Corner is a twin-building apartment complex offering views over the marina out to the Coral Sea, with a sauna, gym and large pool with entertainment area. Each apartment has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two undercover car parks, storage space and two balconies. It is located a short stroll from the marina's many restaurants and sandy Harbour Beach.

Admiralty Raby Bay is the latest waterfront development to be constructed at Raby Bay Marina by Port Binnli. Construction begins shortly with completion in late 2008 or early 2009. The design allocates two car parks and a storeroom for each luxury apartment. On the ground floor, the main entry to the apartment tower faces the marina. From the entry, two lifts service the 16 apartments, each lift providing exclusive entry to only eight apartments, on the north and south sides of the tower respectively.

Also located on the ground floor are professional suites, one of which will house Peter Hansen Yacht Brokers. The complex incorporates an elevated swimming pool on the first floor with shaded barbecue and entertainment area, a gym and amenities.

Flagship Airlie Beach is located opposite the new Port of Airlie marina, 1km from the centre of Airlie Beach. Port Binnli has preliminary approval to build apartment blocks on each of the parcels of land available but due to other commitments, has proposed to sell the parcels separately to interested developers.

Port Binnli will create the communal infrastructure for the development providing sewerage, roads, landscaping, drainage and everything needed to ensure that the purchaser only needs to concentrate on building their own apartment complex.

For more info, visit www.portbinnli.com

KEPPEL BAY MARINA
Queensland's Capricorn Coast offers the ultimate boating accessory of a private berth off your Bayside Villa front deck at Keppel Bay Marina.
The Capricorn Coast is rapidly expanding with people opting for a relaxed way of life, right on the coast with access to 27 pristine Keppel Bay islands all year round.

Keppel Bay Marina is a major catalyst for development on the Capricorn Coast and is the hub of activity for all water-based activities for residents and tourists alike.

The Bayside Villas overlooking the marina have an easterly aspect with cool breezes right off the water.

The stunning design, attention to detail and quality workmanship matched with the location in Keppel Bay, assures astute buyers a lifestyle of comfort and relaxation, and a prudent investment.

A 16 or 19m marina berth off the front deck and 390m² living area create an instant impression.

Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, three balconies, a home theatre and large open plan kitchen/dining/living come alive with quality granite, marble, tiles and timber.

This is a unique lifestyle opportunity easily accessed by direct Virgin flights from Sydney and more recently, direct Tiger Airways flights from Melbourne.

The superb quality is reflected in the number of building, landscape, tourism and restaurant awards the Bayside Villas and the marina have won, including 2007 Best Regional Tourism Restaurant.

The development is poised for capital growth with marina berth expansion underway, and tourist and recreational facilities in planning.

For more information, phone (07) 4933 6991, fax (07) 4933 6992, or visit www.keppelbaymarina.com.au

NOOSA RESORT LIVING
Unit 53 Culgoa Point Beach Resort is a single level two-bedroom, two-bathroom waterfront unit situated in one of the most desirable positions of the resort. 

Being set high in the complex means that the sensational water views remain unobstructed. It offers added privacy as an end unit and the tastefully decorated interior is impeccable. Unit 53 is spacious and has a full-width balcony off the living area. It is air-conditioned with internal laundry and undercover parking.

The views over the inlet include the complex's private marina where you can moor your boat. The inlet is a romantic, quiet and peaceful waterway. It opens into the Noosa River at a junction where the river forks into three directions.

The resort has been built over 3.5 acres of tropical landscaped gardens and has a wide variety of recreational facilities. There is a large undercover barbecue area, heated swimming pool, sauna, spa and half-tennis court. Quamby Place is a very special Noosa precinct and this property will offer the new owner a fabulous investment and a wonderful waterfront holiday destination.

Unit 9 Noosa Pacific is a superb two-bedroom apartment. It is beautifully presented, north facing and positioned on the sandy banks of the Noosa River. The sweeping water views are magnificent as the river forks majestically in three directions.

This fully furnished apartment offers luxurious accommodation ideal for comfortable short or long-term visits. It is the preferred floor-plan in the complex with spacious living areas and the bedrooms situated at opposite ends of the apartment. Both bedrooms and the living areas offer wonderful, panoramic water views.

Noosa Pacific stands out on the local horizon as Noosa's tallest building. It is well located within an easy level-walk to restaurants, Noosa beach and Gympie Terrace.

The complex has on-site management, secure undercover parking, and direct lift access, security access, two jetties, gyms, a tennis court, barbecue area and a fabulous resort pool. Noosa Pacific has a great history of capital growth; it is an iconic structure on one of Noosa's prime riverfront locations.

For more information, phone Marcus Bengtsson on 0408 230 011, or email: marcus@offermann.com.au