In this episode of the Investment by Design Podcast, we sit down with Alesha Wilson from Ray White Cairns to unpack her journey from army life to building a property portfolio in one of Australia’s most talked-about markets. After moving to Cairns, Alesha didn’t just settle into a new lifestyle — she took action. Within just 3 years, she secured 3 investment properties and built a strong foundation for long-term wealth.

In this episode of the Investment by Design Podcast, I sit down with Natasha Whalley‑Thompson — one of Cairns’ leading real estate agents who has sold over 130 properties in the past 12 months and consistently ranks among the top Ray White agents in Australia.

Natasha shares what she’s seeing on the ground in the Cairns property market right now — from first home buyers turning to units, to auction strategies that actually work, and the big mistakes buyers make when purchasing real estate.

Over the last few years something interesting has been happening in the Cairns property market. Interstate buyers are arriving, billions of dollars are being invested in infrastructure, and property prices are beginning to move.

So the question is: Why is everyone suddenly talking about Cairns?

In this episode of Investment by Design, we unpack the bigger story unfolding across the Cairns property market, the Cairns real estate market, and the wider Cairns economy.

For years, Cairns has been viewed primarily as a tourism city. But is that still the full picture? With major investment flowing into health infrastructure, education, airport upgrades, housing growth, defence and major events, Cairns may be entering a new phase — one where the Cairns economy becomes more diversified, more resilient and more attractive to long-term business owners, professionals and property investors.

Joining us for this conversation is Omer Bernstein, who brings a unique perspective as a local business figure, investor and someone closely connected to JCU.

In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with financial planner Ben Cole to unpack what financial advice actually means in Australia, how loan structuring and asset selection impact long-term outcomes, and why strategy matters more than chasing the next investment.

Why do so many property investors in Cairns and regional Australia get stuck after one or two properties even when prices are rising and rents are strong? In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with Kurt from Blue Collar Money to unpack the finance mistakes we see repeatedly holding investors back across Cairns, Far North Queensland, and Australia more broadly.

Most investors think tenancy issues come down to “bad tenants.” Experienced property managers know that’s rarely the real problem.

In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with Adam Saitta from Benchmark Real Estate Cairns, a local property manager with 20 years of hands-on experience, to unpack where investors most commonly go wrong with tenancies and how those mistakes quietly erode returns over time.

Are you at risk of making an expensive property mistake? In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with Keegan Lake, a Cairns-based real estate sales expert with 8 years of industry experience and lifelong local knowledge, to break down the 5 biggest mistakes buyers make when purchasing property and how to avoid them.

In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with David Murphy, Director at Ray White Cairns & Cairns Beaches, to unpack what’s really happening across the residential and commercial property markets in Far North Queensland. With an economics degree, decades of industry experience, and an office that manages over 2,000 properties while selling both residential and commercial real estate, David brings a rare data-backed perspective on where Cairns has been and where it’s heading next.

What does a real investment return look like in the Cairns property market right now? In this episode, I break down one of my own recent property purchases, a $420,000 Cairns apartment that produced $74,892 profit in the first 12 months.

Is Cairns heading for a decade of growth or are major structural constraints beginning to bite? In this deep-dive episode, we sit down with Economist Pete Faulkner of Conus Business Consultancy to unpack the real forces shaping the Cairns economy today and into the future.

With decades of experience analysing regional markets, working with councils, industry groups, and major businesses, Pete provides rare clarity on what’s actually happening underneath the headline numbers. Whether you’re an investor, business owner, or someone who wants to understand where Cairns is heading, this conversation breaks it all down in a clear, data-backed way.

Is Cairns on the verge of a major transformation? In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with Sarah Mort, Managing Director of MiHaven Cairns, to unpack the real forces shaping the city’s future.

With 20 years of experience in the Cairns economy and over $50 million in NDIS projects, 135 share house rooms, and multiple residential developments, Sarah provides rare insight into what’s really happening on the ground.

Thinking about buying an apartment in Cairns? Don’t overlook this investment class! Apartments and units can be one of the most affordable and high-potential property types for first-time buyers and investors alike, especially here in Cairns.

The Cairns real estate market has outperformed many capital cities in recent years, and 2026 could be another breakout year. Whether you’re an investor chasing yield, a first home buyer, or relocating to Far North Queensland, this deep dive will help you understand where the opportunities (and risks) lie.

In this week’s episode, we chat with Emma Craig, one of Queensland’s most respected property managers and the youngest Principal in the Professionals Network globally. Emma brings over a decade of experience managing investment properties across Cairns and regional Queensland, sharing powerful insights into what it really takes to build a successful property portfolio in today’s market.

In this episode of Investment by Design, we sit down with James Fennell, a self-made multi-millionaire developer who’s built projects worth hundreds of million across Cairns, Gladstone, and Townsville. James shares his raw and unfiltered journey from his first development with no plan to navigating the GFC, when the bank literally ran out of money mid-project.

Looking for properties under market value in Cairns, Townsville, or North Queensland? 🏠

In this episode, Nicole Craike and I share how to find real opportunities in today’s property market, even when prices feel high. We dive into a block of units that had been sitting on the market for over 200 days, why it was overlooked by others, and how we turned it into a smart investment. If you’re interested in property investing in Cairns or North Queensland, this episode will give you actionable strategies for spotting diamonds in the rough and avoiding common pitfalls.

In this episode of Investment by Design, I sit down with David Galloway-Penny, who proves it’s never too late to start investing in property. After buying his first investment property at 41, David has built a portfolio of four properties in just five years, all while navigating Australia’s changing real estate market.

In this episode of Investment by Design, I’m joined by my wife, Nicole Craike, as we open up about our real property investing journey, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. We share the real story behind how we started investing in property, the mistakes we made, and the lessons that helped us grow a diverse portfolio across Cairns, Townsville, and Port Douglas.

From overcoming the fear of debt to finding off-market opportunities and managing risk, this conversation is an honest look at what it really takes to build wealth through Australian real estate.

Discover how Ken Turner purchased 6 properties in just 12 months and become a truly successful property investor in Cairns.