Is this a realistic commute which google tells me its approx 1 hour drive?
Would look to live around Edmonton/Mount Sheridan area of Cairns if I had job in Innisfail. I currently commute for 30 minutes in UK so I dont want to burn myself out.
gary

Hi Gary.
Just sent you this by PM before seeing the thread.
I'll paste it here in case anyone else would like to comment on anything I've said.
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It's realistic if you don't mind the travel time.

Drove down to Mission Beach last weekend so it's fresh in the mind.
It's single carriageway (quite wide) most of the way.

They have put some passing zones in since I was last on that road which gives periodic opportunities for overtaking any slow moving traffic.

A lot of road improvements taking place just North of Innisfail but mainly to higher the road as a flood prevention measure.

Innisfail itself has some quite big development planned. A large waterfront housing complex.

About an hour from Edmonton is about right. The biggest development area in Cairns is going to be Mount Peter area which is Edmonton to Gordonvale region.
Supposed to be putting a new town centre in Edmonton with shops, businesses, offices and precinct.

Also the largest theme park in Australia was announced a few weeks ago and that is opposite side of the highway to Edmonton.

Don't exclude Gordonvale. could take 10-15 minutes off the commute and still be pretty close to your friends.

Get good value for money in Gordonvale both in terms of house and land and it should appreciate nicely as the development of Cairns moves farther South.

Couple of ways of looking at it. You may end up liking Innisfail enough to live there. Or you may use it as a stepping stone and eventually work in Cairns.

Only one way to find out mate.

thanks for informative post Bix
need to keep a 16 and 12 year old happy too so need to get first mov right if I can.
gary

The drive is pretty easy. Just keep to the speed limit. The limit should be 110 however the powers that be have reduced it to 90 on parts of the open road.

The only downer would be the wet season when the drive would be a PIB especialy at night. The rain can be torrential at times which can add a bit of excitement to the trip.

WW

Cairns doesnt have the population base to support such a venture unless they did daily A380 day trips from Japan.

They'll build some other part of the development which is viable first then plead poor/GFC on the theme park. That part of the development may not be what Cairns was expecting. No inside info, just a smoke n mirrors gut feel.

WW

My feelings too.

The Smithfield water park has a better chance but is lacking 50% of the required funds.

Have you given up on the idea of moving to the Beenleigh area Gary?

As you have kids, you also need to consider schools & the amount of taxiing you will end up doing to get them into the city for activities. I most certainly would not recommend Gordonvale State or Bentley Park
I know nothing about shools in Innisfail but I do know that I wouldn't want to live there!
There can be a lot of flooding along the road between Cairns & Innisfail in wet season & you may not always get to work, some may see that as a bonus but I reckon it is an added stress.
The drive is also very boring once you have done it a few times & I really wouldn't want to do it every day.
Best of luck

thanks for reply sallyclaire. my thoughts exactly but I like Cairns and this may be only chance at moment of getting near there. I suppose 1 hour commute is nothing to Australians and its probably done regular. I would be a little concerned if the road was cut off though.
Decsions decisions.
gary

I live in St Andrews, Vic and commute daily into Melbourne CBD. I close my front door at 7.30 am and walk into the office at 9.00am. An hours commute would be luxury to me!

Hi
Whats your weekly fuel bill or do you take the train?
gary

Highly probable that the road will be cut for several days, if not weeks in every wet season, due to either rain or cyclone activity.

Both car and train. Monthly ticket $160ish, gas $60pm

not a good idea then? best I opt for south east then.
Caught a film on ITV yesterday called Pollyana. Is that where you got your name?

Was that $60 per month? thats not bad, what do you drive?
I take it thats 5 days a week?