A brand-new over-50s lifestyle community between Cairns and Port Douglas has officially welcomed its very first residents, marking a milestone moment for what is shaping up to be one of Queensland’s most desirable retirement lifestyle destinations – and a small part of a much bigger national story.

Thyme Lifestyle Resort Palm Cove, located in the Kewarra Beach area, celebrated the arrival of homeowners Pauline Bryan and Carol James this week, the first of what will eventually become a 368-home community.

A big move, made easy

For Carol, who relocated from Melbourne, the move to tropical Far North Queensland was a significant change – but one she says has already paid off in lifestyle and peace of mind.

“At this stage of my life, Thyme Palm Cove offers me an amazing home to live in, the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends,” Carol said. “Also, most importantly, safety and security living inside a community with a secure, gated entry.”

Pauline, who moved from another over-50s community, said she was surprised at how quickly she settled into her new home. “I am looking forward to meeting people and enjoying the facilities once they are up and running,” she said. “I am very happy with everything, and I look forward to many happy years being close to family and with new friends.”

Michelle Fitzjohn, Sales Consultant for Thyme Palm Cove, said the community was designed to give homeowners security and the best of coastal living in an unrivalled location.

What’s on offer

Homes at Thyme Palm Cove start from $635,000, featuring coastal-inspired finishes, stone benchtops, ceiling fans and split-system air-conditioning as standard, with a mix of two- and three-bedroom layouts and some RV-friendly garage designs. A future clubhouse is planned as the heart of the community, with a pool and spa, pickleball courts, cinema and games room, golf simulator, arts and crafts studio, private dining areas, dog park and hobby shed all on the cards.

Part of a rapidly growing national trend

Thyme Palm Cove is one small piece of a genuinely fast-growing sector in Australian housing. Land lease communities – where residents own their home but lease the land it sits on – are now home to more than 100,000 Australians across roughly 900 communities nationwide, and the sector has been described by industry analysts as the fastest-growing seniors housing option in the country.

The growth shows no signs of slowing. According to CBRE’s 2026 Seniors Living Report, Australia currently has just over 40,000 land lease sites in operation, yet penetration among over-65s sits at only 1.0 to 1.5 per cent, well behind the 5 to 6 per cent penetration of traditional retirement villages – suggesting significant room for the sector to keep expanding. With roughly 150,000 Australians turning 65 each year, the report estimates around 2,500 new occupied land lease sites are needed annually just to maintain current levels, let alone grow the sector’s share further.

Land lease living has also become an increasingly mainstream choice rather than a niche one: in 2026, around one in four new entrants into over-55s housing in Australia are choosing a land lease community over a traditional retirement village, drawn by the ability to keep 100 per cent of any capital gain when they sell, avoid stamp duty on the home purchase in most states, and access resort-style facilities without the deferred management fees associated with many retirement villages.

Thyme Lifestyle Resorts is operated by Serenitas, which already has more than 7,000 Australians living across its network of over 30 lifestyle communities nationally, with a further pipeline of over-50s developments already under construction.