Celebrity homes caught in Sydney COVID-19 lockdown on Northern beaches
These are the Aussie stars who have homes on Sydney’s northern beaches, where more than 250,000 residents are locked down by the COVID-19 cluster.
NSW
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Sydney’s northern beaches has been thrust into the spotlight thanks to the emergence of a COVID cluster that has led to the area going into lockdown until Wednesday.
And among the 250,000-plus residents now confined to their homes are some local and international celebrities who bought properties there looking for the quiet, idyllic life.
Here are just some of those stars who either live there full time or for some part of the year in their luxury holiday homes.
MIKE CANNON-BROOKES
Billionaire Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes and wife Annie broke the northern beaches’ record property price this year when the paid $24.5 million for the stunning Newport mansion built by supermodel Jennifer Hawkins and Jake Wall.
The purchase adds to the Cannon-Brookes’ impressive collection of trophy homes, including Fairwater, Australia’s most expensive house.
They bought the waterfront Point Piper mansion in 2018 for $100 million. The couple also own property at Palm Beach and Great Mackerel Beach.
RICHARD ROXBURGH AND SILVIA COLLOCA
Star of the television series Rake, Roxburgh, and his wife Colloca, author, chef, actor and presenter of the SBS series Made in Italy, live in an oceanfront Newport home they bought in October 2015 for $2.87 million.
The cliff-front home has stunning ocean views to the Central Coast, and is positioned directly above Newport Reef.
The couple, who have three children, previously lived at Bilgola Plateau, selling there in the same year their bought in Newport.
ADAM GILCHRIST
Not to be confused with the international cricketer of the same name, Gilchrist is the co-founder of F45 gym franchise.
In 2017 he and wife Eli spent $5.4 million on an original cottage close to the beach, and the following year bought the house next door for $14 million.
The couple also owns several beachfront homes in northern NSW, and last year spent $18.85m on Wategos House at Byron Bay.
TOM BURLINSON
The actor and singer, best known for his roles in The Man From Snowy River film series, Pharlap, the 1986 movie he made with Nicole Kidman called Windrider, more recently in performances with big band orchestras, has lived in Newport since 2000.
He and wife Mandy bought their private home for $942,000, CoreLogic records show. They raised their two children there and Mandy now owns and runs a health and fitness studio in Newport called Perfect Fit.
MATT BURKE
The Australian rugby union fullback turned television sports presenter and his wife Kate, and their four daughters are long-time northern beaches locals. They live in an elevated home in Newport’s Golden Triangle.
They bought the home in 2013 for $1.67 million, and embarked on a major renovation, overseen by Kate, who has previously been very hands on with the renovation of their other homes.
Burke was one of the most Burke was one of the most prolific try scorers in the history of Australian Test rugby, and played internationally from 1993 until his retirement from the sport in 2004.
Even 16 years after retirement he holds the world number 12 ranking for top scoring international players.
JENNIFER HAWKINS AND JAKE WALL
Supermodel Jennifer Hawkins and her husband Jake Wall moved quickly to snap up another northern beaches property when they sold their Newport mansion to Mike Cannon-Brookes for a record $24.5 million.
They bought the impressive Whale Beach oceanfront estate known as Villa Rocca Bella, once owned by the late Dame Joan Sutherland, for $6.95 million.
The house has original 1950s charm, as well as a family room, rumpus and a bunk room. It also has full-length terraces on each level and a 15m pool.
The 3100sqm property includes a three-level, 1950s home and pool, and spectacular views.
Within weeks of buying their latest building project, Jennifer Hawkins and Jake Wall had lodged the architectural plans for a new $3 million home.
DAVID KOCH
Sunrise presenter Koch and his wife Libby have lived in their current Newport home since buying it in 2007 for $4.65 million.
Just days before the northern beaches COVID cluster emerged, forcing a strict lockdown for all residents, Koch had uploaded a video showing the emotional reunion with his Perth-based daughter Brianna and her family.
The 64-year-old presenter shared the footage on social media on Wednesday as he and Libby and their other children met Briana and her children, including baby Ella.
The family had flown to Sydney from Perth and it was the first time Koch had met Ella, eight months. They had been unable to travel due to pandemic border closures.
The lifting of the restrictions was short-lived – with a week of the family reunion the northern beaches was in lockdown and state borders had been closed.
ANTONIA KIDMAN
Television presenter and the sister of Hollywood actor Nicole Kidman, Antonia Kidman, and husband Craig Marran bought their four-bedroom weekender in Whale Beach in 2011 for $2.025 million.
The architecturally designed home is sure has easy access, views across Pittwater and ocean glimpses, as well as a heated pool surrounded by sheltered courtyards.
DES HASLER
The Manly Sea Eagles coach and former player has owned his piece of Collaroy beachfront paradise since 2014.
He paid $2.82 million for the four-bedroom beach house in 968sqm, according to CoreLogic, and is understood to have undertaken extensive renovations.
SHANNAN PONTON
Former Biggest Loser trainer Shannan Ponton who most recently appeared on the television reality show SAS Australia lives with his wife Kylie and their children at North Curl Curl.
The couple bought the home in 2016 for $2.5 million after selling their other home at neighbouring Freshwater in 2015 for $1.59 million, CoreLogic reports.
In between television gigs, Ponton runs a successful personal training business on the northern beaches.
LAYNE BEACHLEY AND KIRK PENGILLY
Surfing champion and her husband, INXS legend Kirk Pengilly, bought their Queenscliff home in 2007 for $2.675 million.
The home’s architectural features taking full advantage of the sunny north aspect and ocean breezes, and offers a high level of privacy and easy indoor/outdoor living.
The open plan kitchen leads out to an enormous living area with featured floor to ceiling glass panels taking advantage of expansive views.
ED HALMAGYI
The popular television chef, author and radio host, otherwise known as “Fast Ed” and his wife Leah, bought their piece of Bilgola Plateau paradise in 2010 for $1.18 million.
The couple have two children and their home is perfect for a young family.
The two-level, four-bedroom home is elevated and set in a sought-after location, and features ocean views and a coastal vibe.
MIGUEL MAESTRE
Another much-loved television chef and presenter also lives on the northern beaches. Spanish-born Miguel Maestre and his wife live in Elanora Heights with their children.
Maestre this year won Channel 10’s reality show I’m a Celebrity, Get me out of Here, which was shot in the wilds of South Africa.
GUS WORLAND
Just a few streets away from Maestre in Elanora Heights is another Australian television and radio personality.
Gus Worland and his wife Vicky have owned their home for almost 20 years. Worland grew up in Sydney and has been lifelong friends with Hollywood heavyweight Hugh Jackman.
TONY ABBOTT
Former Australian prime minister and long-term federal politician Tony Abbott and wife Margie bought their house in Forestville in 1994 for $351,000.
Prices have risen significantly in the prestigious street since then, according to CoreLogic.
There have been four reported sales in the couple’s street so far this year, including a three-bedroom home for $1.445 million, a six-bedroom home for $1.561 million, a three-bedroom home for $1.561 million and a three-bedroom house for $1.65 million.
BRETT LEE
Former Test cricketer, Bollywood star and sports commentator Brett Lee was forced to leave the Adelaide Test earlier this week and return to his northern beaches home following the area’s COVID-19 outbreak.
It is understood Lee has no symptoms and has not been to any of the notified hot spots, but he has spent an enormous amount of time in quarantine due to the IPL and does not want to risk spending Christmas with his family.
Lee and wife Lana have been busy on the home front this year – selling their redesigned Clontarf home in February for $9.45 million.
They bought a new home around the corner in March for $8.8 million. The harbourside trophy home is on 2319sqm and has magnificent views across Balmoral, The Spit, Middle Harbour and the city skyline.
MATTY JOHNS
Legendary NRL player and television host Matty Johns and his wife Trish have been long-time fans of the exclusive Collaroy Basin.
Last year they sold their luxury home for $5.85 million, buying a new home just around the corner for $7.1 million.
Their new home, which was held by the previous owners for more than 40 years, is just one property away from Fisherman’s Beach, and the couple have said they plan to renovate.
JAKE AND TOM TRBOJEVIC
The Manly Sea Eagle guns have been building a property portfolio on the northern beaches for the past six years.
The most recent purchase for Jake was a garden apartment in Narrabeen, bought in July for $1.555 million in September this year.
The brothers also each spent $964,614 and $964,380 on a house-and-land package in the same Warriewood development in 2018.
However it is likely the brothers will join their close-knit family, which includes mum Mel, dad John and their other brothers Luke and Ben, at their Mona Vale family home, owned since 1995.
MIKE BAIRD
Former NSW premier Mike Baird, who announced earlier this year he would be taking up the chief executive role with not-for-profit aged care provider HammondCare, has been a long-term northern beaches local.
In 2017 he and wife Kerryn bought a new home in North Curl Curl for $3.6 million.
The home has wide ocean views, pool and spa, and plenty of space for their family.
ZALI STEGGALL
The lawyer who unseated former prime minister Tony Abbott from his long-held electorate of Warringah is also a long-term northern beaches local.
She has also raised her own family on the peninsula. She and her husband Tim Irving bought their North Balgowlah home in 2014 for $1.135 million, CoreLogic records reveal.
Northern Beaches Council records reveal the home has undergone extensive alterations and additions.
DICK SMITH
Entrepreneur and businessman Dick Smith has lived in Terrey Hills since 1979. His 1.21ha property includes a helipad – making travel in and out contact free, especially as he holds a licence to fly it.
Smith holds many world aviation records, in a range of aircraft including rotary and fixed-wing aircraft and hot air balloons. These include the first solo trans-Atlantic flight by helicopter (1982); first solo circumnavigation by helicopter (1983); first helicopter to the North Pole (1987); first circumnavigation landing at both poles (1989); first non-stop balloon crossing of the Australian continent (1993); first east-west circumnavigation by helicopter (1995); and first trans-Tasman balloon flight (2000).
BRAD FITTLER
NSW State of Origin coach and rugby league legend Brad Fittler bought a 2.19ha property with wife Marie Liarris in Terrey Hills in 2014 for $3.1 million.
The prime acreage estate adjoins the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, and has both bush and ocean views.
Northern Beaches Council record show the couple were granted approval in 2016 for renovations to the property, including alterations and additions to the existing house and construction of a barn, tennis court, swimming pool, and home office/studio.
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