An overgrown tropical resort that’s slowly being engulfed by the surrounding rainforest has come to market decades after its heyday.
The sprawling site at 3 Greenhills Road, Kuranda was once a bustling resort catering to visitors exploring the Cairns hinterland.
But years of neglect and legal battles have taken their toll, with the complex now a shadow of its former glory.
3 Greenhills Road, Kuranda was once a bustling resort. Picture: realestate.com.au
It’s now on the market after attempts to amalgamate its former ownership structure ended in liquidation.
Dotted across the 9.5 acre site are 50 cabins, as well as a 160-person backpacker hostel, a 200-seat restaurant, a function centre and tennis court.
The property was built in 1988, but fell into a state of disrepair in recent years. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
However listing images reveal the extent of disrepair, with the swimming pool having turned into a swamp and vegetation encroaching upon the timber structures.
A walkthrough video depicts smashed windows, a discarded bike, and electrical cables hanging from ceilings.
The resort swimming pool has become a swamp after years of neglect. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Several cabins appear to have ferns and vines growing from roofs while others are missing shingles, allowing the weather to cause internal damage.
Selling agent David Murphy of Ray White Cairns, Cairns Beaches and Palm Cove said the property was well-known among the local community.
Individual lots were sold seperately, culminating in a legal battle over unpaid levies. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
“It was a very prominent resort back in its day,” he said. “So many people have called me and told me stories of getting married there, parties and all sorts of things.”
“It was then left for some time and got quite dilapidated.”
Constructed in 1988, the resort was already facing financial difficulties within a few years, trading hands for $2 million in 1993 in a mortgagee sale.
The site includes a restaurant and backpacker hostel. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Individual lots were later sold over the years and the property transitioned to residential accommodation occupied by owners and renters, but unpaid strata levies put a strain on the resort’s finances.
The property began to deteriorate as maintenance was neglected, and safety concerns began to mount.
In 2022 the electricity was disconnected over fears looters could be electrocuted.
Many of the facilities require signigicant restoration works. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The recent purchaser of 35 of the 64 lots became stuck in a legal quagmire, entering liquidation in 2024 after being sued for more than $1.7 million by the body corporate over unpaid levies accrued prior to the purchase.
However, Mr Murphy said that chapter of the property is now in the past, with all lots now offered with vacant possession.
“It’s being sold completely unencumbered,” he said. “Anyone who buys it will be free from the body corporate management scheme.”
The resort had become a target of squatters and looters. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Mr Murphy said there was strong interest from potential buyers in revitalising the property for tourism, residential or commercial purposes.
“If you had a big player that could come and bring it back to its former glory, it could be a great tourism destination,” he said.
“We've had people looking at it for school camps, demountable homes to help ease the rental crisis, or even making it a service station.”
“There's a lot of cosmetic work that needs to be done.”
The site includes a restaurant and backpacker hostel. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Mr Murphy said the character of Kuranda had changed over the years, with the pandemic having an effect.
“Kuranda used to be a very bustling little township,” he said “It was a hippy town that was affordable, with lifestyle properties a bit more private and secluded.”
“Now the residential market is crazy. The market has now gone through the roof.
The resort is located in Kuranda, about 40 minutes west of Cairns. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
House prices in Kuranda rose 8.8% in the past year and 62% in the past five years to a median of $779,000, according to PropTrack data.
Mr Murphy said the property was advertised for best offers by July 9th.
“Regardless of where buyers see values we encourage them to put their best offer forward,” he said. “The vendors are motivated to get this one sold.”
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