6 Lees St, Yorkeys Knob QLD 4878

What you see today is an evolution. The original house was just the Queenslander cottage — no toilet inside, no bathroom, just a cast iron clawfoot tub and an old outhouse out the back. Over the years, every extension, beam, and floorboard tells a story.

The original casement windows and the silky oak front door? Still there. The living room floors — a mix of original Kauri pine from the Atherton Tablelands and carefully matched replacements — were laid decades ago. Even the overhead tulip oak beams in the lounge were crafted and installed in 1977, giving structure and warmth to what was once a soaring, uninsulated ceiling.

And then there is the land. Eight mature mango trees, estimated to be over 70 years old, still bear delicious Bowen, Banana, and Peach mangoes every year — just like they did in 1972. As kids, the family sold them from a wheelbarrow at the end of the street for 20 cents each.

Massive coconut palms once lined the street front, so tall they could be seen from Varley Street. They were eventually removed in the late ’80s, when falling coconuts became a bit too exciting for comfort.

In 1975, Margaret and Richard were even married on-site, in the large old garage between the main house and what would later become the granny flat. That same shed was where Dad built his first boat.

A water tank once stood near the avocado tree, used by the original owners to water the backyard market garden. While the yard does pool with water during cyclones and heavy rain, it’s never caused damage — just a temporary, tropical quirk.

Now let’s talk updates.

In 1973, the chicken-wire fence was replaced with striking Black Penda timber. The kitchen moved from a bedroom to its current layout in 1976, and again saw updates in 2001 and 2008.

In 1977, downstairs bedrooms and a bathroom were added, and finally — indoor plumbing! That same year, the tulip oak ceiling beams were extended through.

By the early ’80s, the laundry was reconfigured, dining expanded, and stair access moved. Skylights once bathed the dining room in sunlight but were later covered to avoid maintenance.

In 1987, the patio and veranda took shape, followed by the carport in ’88. By 1991, the fully council-approved granny flat was built to Category 4 cyclone standards.

Cyclone Larry gave the fence a shake in 2006, and insurance helped replace it along Cunningham Street. In 2010, a jacuzzi deck was built after a spontaneous purchase — one thousand bucks well spent.

By 2012, the main roof was professionally replaced to cyclone standards, and a walk-in wardrobe was added. New floor tiles came in 2013, replacing the original 1977 handmade ceramic ones — though some original lino still holds its ground.

Fast forward to 2024: a brand-new 6.6kw solar system was installed on the main house, and new air conditioning now keeps the lounge and dining area cool. Fresh linoleum floors were laid in the kitchen and dining, with 19mm structural ply underneath — all hand-finished by Richard and Margaret.

This isn’t just a house. It’s a legacy.

A home with deep roots, carefully grown and lovingly maintained — ready for its next chapter, and its next story.