From the street, Australia’s so-called Crypto Castle is quite the local landmark. Perched atop the South Coogee cliffs in Sydney’s east, between salt-crusted and red-brick houses, the Renato D’Ettorre-designed stone and concrete structure features a castellated roof and a turret-like belvedere. The hybrid Porsche Panamera 4 and vintage Suzuki motorcycle parked in the drive add to the vibe.

I peer through an archway carved into the castle walls and see a group of models posing for the camera as hangers-on mill about a moat-like swimming pool and DJ booth. “I’m looking for Fred Schebesta,” I inquire of the young woman seemingly in charge. “Who the f--- is that?” she glares back, looking up briefly from her screen-scrolling, before barking a few orders to the assorted glitterati.