Carlene Duffy's favourite Queenslanders for sale

I have wanted to restore and renovate a Queenslander for as long as we’ve been renovating. Living in a young city like the Gold Coast means these historical homes are few and far between but giving new life to a structure that is deemed integral to Australia’s cultural heritage, I imagine to be an incredibly rewarding project.

In year four, I distinctly recall going on a school excursion to a heritage-listed Queenslander to learn about its history and the reason for its unique design; ornate stained glass windows, VJ-clad walls (only Queensland locals refer to VJ’s as VJ’s), fretwork breeze panels, and large sweeping verandas that promote what Queenslanders do best, indoor/outdoor living.

What each of us looks for in a home is very personal; number of children, physical ailments, is there a pool or a backyard big enough to foster a vegie patch? For me, when I’m one day on the hunt for a Queenslander of our own, my ultimate prerequisite will be that the house includes at least some of the original features that make this home design live up to its name.

For that reason, this edit of inner-city Brisbane Queenslanders is made up of homes that pay homage to the style’s long and cherished history. 

204 Norman Ave, Norman Park.

This Norman Park property is hard to fault. Its muted colour palette and paired-back styling is appealing to a broad demographic. I would have liked to see timber flooring and VJ walls in the renovated downstairs area but the extra space created by building-in the lower level of the house makes up for the cheaper flooring and wall choices.

61 Primrose Terrace, Red Hill.

Clever and classy is my first impression of this majestic Red Hill home. The view looking from the pool to the house is pretty breathtaking and once inside, the colour palette and styling choices are delicate and considered.

The easy flow between the kitchen and the deck makes this an ideal entertainer’s home and the second entertainment area beneath the deck is probably to where I would shoo the teenage kids. If you are looking in this price bracket, this property is a no-brainer, as there’s nothing to do here but unpack.

23 Terrace Street, Paddington.

This grand, old house in sought-after Paddington had me at that quaint black and white striped awning and matching black and white tiles on the verandah. Its huge scale is unique to Paddington where the blocks are generally small and houses close in proximity.

The bathrooms would benefit from a fresher tile choice and the kitchen benchtop may not be everyone’s cup-of-tea but the inclusion of the skylight in this space and the idea to open up the kitchen to the deck certainly won’t be lost on potential buyers.

23 Terrace Street, Paddington.​

The property’s inclusion of original features including the ceiling panelling, amber lead light windows, and original lattice indicates a home that has been largely untouched, making this one my pick of the bunch.