1980s, the population increased by about two-thirds. Growth continued into the 2000s. A middle to upper class suburb emerged with a large number of retirees. The area between the highway and the beach was almost entirely built up, while the other side of the highway, which borders the Kuranda State Forest and accounts for about two-thirds of Clifton Beach, remained largely undeveloped. A shopping centre was built on Captain Cook Highway. A 2004 expansion added a supermarket operated by the national Coles chain, making the suburb even more attractive and attracting shoppers from neighbouring suburbs. The nearest major shopping centre is about halfway to Cairns in Smithfield. The median price for three-bedroom houses between October 2021 and September 2022 was about $720,000, and the median for rentals was $600 per week for the corresponding period Amenities There are no schools or the like in Clifton Beach. The post office is in the shopping centre, the Clifton Village Shopping Centre on Captain Cook Highway, which is accessible via Endeavour Road and where you will also find doctors, a few other shops for local needs and restaurants. The latter close early. There are more eating establishments in the more touristy Palm Cove, about two to three kilometres away. There is some accommodations for tourists. In the centre, there is a bar and grill restaurant, but it also closes early. It "does a roaring trade of breakfast cocktails because locals struggle with the crushing weight of reality and like to be legless by noon". There are a number of parks in the suburb, including: Eddy Street Park Edward Mann Park Images References External links "Clifton_Beach48571", Queensland place names search, Queensland Government "Clifton Beach", Queensland Places, University of Queensland Suburbs of Cairns Beaches of Queensland Coastline of Queensland