by Shaun Craike
Welcome to the Investment By Design Podcast, where we sit down with successful and up-and-coming real estate investors from Cairns and across Australia. Each episode uncovers their journey, the lessons they’ve learned, and the strategies that led to their success. Whether you’re just starting out or building your portfolio, you’ll find practical insights, inspiration, and real-world advice to help you invest smarter and grow with confidence.
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Publishing Since
10/11/2025
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July 2, 2026
<p>In this episode of Investment by Design, we look at Cairns property investing through a different lens: Cairns tourism, local business growth, major development, the Cairns Aquarium, the Cairns economy, and what these forces mean for the future of the Cairns real estate market and North Queensland property investors.What does it really take to make a $54 million bet on Cairns?I sit down with Daniel Leipnik, the man behind the Cairns Aquarium, to unpack one of the biggest tourism and development stories our region has seen.This is not just a conversation about an aquarium. It is a conversation about risk, vision, business creation, tourism, leadership, employment, and the future of Cairns.For property investors, the Cairns property market is shaped by more than house prices, rental yields and vacancy rates. It is shaped by population growth, business confidence, tourism, infrastructure, private investment, major projects, and the people willing to back the region before the outcome is obvious.Daniel shares what it took to bring the Cairns Aquarium to life, including the challenges before construction, the funding journey, the hurdles during construction, what surprised him most, and what has happened since opening.We also talk about his new business ventures, the reality of building and keeping a great team in Cairns, what tourism looks like after COVID, and where he believes Cairns needs to go next.If you are researching Cairns property, investing in North Queensland, building a business, watching the local economy, or trying to understand where Cairns is heading over the next decade, this conversation is worth your time.In this episode we cover:• The $54 million Cairns Aquarium project• Why major private investment matters to Cairns• What can go wrong when bringing a major project to life• Cairns tourism before and after COVID• The challenge of finding and keeping good staff• New business ventures after launching the aquarium• What Cairns is missing• The future of Cairns tourism and business• What all of this means for property investorsAt The Buyers Co, we help clients buy property with strategy, due diligence and local market insight across Cairns and North Queensland. If you are thinking about investing in Cairns and want to understand the market beyond the surface-level numbers, get in touch with us.Find out more about The Buyers Co at <a href="www.thebuyersco.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">www.thebuyersco.com.au</a></p>
June 25, 2026
<p>Cairns property investors are facing a new wave of uncertainty as government tax changes and shifting property policies continue to impact confidence across the market.In this Cairns property market update, we discuss how recent tax changes, legislative inconsistency and poor communication from government can affect investors, landlords, homeowners and buyers trying to make smart long-term decisions.The issue is not just one policy change. It is the constant uncertainty. When rules are introduced, changed, withdrawn or poorly explained, it becomes harder for property investors to plan, manage risk and understand what the future may look like for the Cairns real estate market.In this video, we break down what these government policy shifts could mean for the Cairns property market, including the potential impact on investor confidence, rental supply, housing affordability, landlord decision-making and long-term investment strategy.If you are investing in Cairns, buying property in North Queensland, or trying to understand how tax changes may affect the Australian property market, this discussion will help you think through the risks and opportunities more clearly.At The Buyers Co, we help buyers and investors navigate the Cairns property market with local knowledge, due diligence and a clear investment strategy.<a href="www.thebuyersco.com.ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">www.thebuyersco.com.au</a>Subscribe for weekly Cairns property market updates, investment insights and real estate commentary.Comment below: do you think these tax and policy changes will help the property market, or make the housing crisis worse?</p>
June 24, 2026
<p>In this video, I break down the 5 best suburbs to buy property in Cairns and 1 suburb I’d be very careful investing in right now. If you’re looking at the Cairns property market, Cairns real estate, or trying to understand where to buy an investment property in Cairns, this video will help you think through the suburbs with long-term growth, lifestyle appeal, rental demand and risk.After investing in Cairns property for more than 16 years and building a $5.5M property portfolio, I’ve learned that not all suburbs are equal. Some areas have strong fundamentals that make sense for long-term buy-and-hold investors, while others can look attractive on paper but carry risks that buyers often overlook.In this video I cover:* The 5 Cairns suburbs I’d consider buying and holding for the long term* The key fundamentals I look for before buying* Why lifestyle, land supply, rental demand and affordability matter* The suburb I’d be careful buying in right now* How I think about risk when investing in Cairns propertyThis is not financial advice, and every buyer’s situation is different, but if you’re looking to buy in Cairns, invest in Cairns property, or understand the local market better, this video is a great starting point. #CairnsProperty #CairnsRealEstate #PropertyInvesting #AustralianProperty #BuyersAgent</p>
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Welcome to the Investment By Design Podcast, where we sit down with successful and up-and-coming real estate investors from Cairns and across Australia.
Each episode uncovers their journey, the lessons they’ve learned, and the strategies that led to their success.
Whether you’re just starting out or building your portfolio, you’ll find practical insights, inspiration, and real-world advice to help you invest smarter and grow with confidence.
This podcast updates daily.
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