Annette Sharp: Alan Jones sells Southern Highlands home as family moves north

The sale of Alan Jones’ Southern Highlands farm during the week follows the veteran broadcaster becoming an “empty nester” at 81, writes Annette Sharp.

The sale of Alan Jones’ Southern Highlands farm during the week follows the veteran broadcaster becoming an “empty nester” at 81.

Speaking to this column yesterday, Jones — who is recovering from his recent back surgery, his fifth surgery this year — said he was taken by surprise earlier this year when his 15-year-old great-niece Elizabeth informed him she was eager to go to Queensland.

Elizabeth is the youngest child of Jones’ adored niece and heir Tonia and her husband, tennis coach Justin Taylor, with whom he has shared his Southern Highlands property and life for almost two decades.

“This beautiful young girl sidled up to me and said she wanted to go to the Gold Coast,” Jones said.

“Obviously we’re all from Queensland originally so that didn’t surprise me — I usually get the family a house on the Gold Coast each year and they go up there on holidays — but this time she said ‘No, not for a holiday, for good’.”

Broadcaster Alan Jones has sold his home at Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands. Picture: AAP

The news clearly took Jones by surprise as it meant the family would be vacating his 27ha spread.

Known as Elizabeth Farm and named for his mother, it has been their family home since its purchase in 2003.

The property boasts two residences — one two-bedroom abode occupied by Jones and a second eight-bedroom bungalow that has been home to the Taylors.

“I was surprised because Elizabeth is one of the finest horse riders in the country, as is her brother, and they have this whole life in the Highlands,” Jones said.

“But she very pragmatically said there wasn’t much more she could do with that, she’s reached the top of her class and is too young for dressage. She is ready for a change of scene.

“I said ‘But we have breakfast on the lawn at Elizabeth Farm and you won’t be able to do that on the Gold Coast’. And she said, ‘I’ll have it on the beach instead — and with a jet ski!’

“It’s pretty hard to argue the toss with a 15-year-old.”

Jones with his beloved niece Tonia Elizabeth Taylor.

Elizabeth’s brother Hamilton graduated from high school this year, while older brother Hunter is studying acting in Sydney – leaving the children’s parents ready and prepared for a sea change.

In February, Jones purchased a $12 million luxury property at Southport, where the family now reside.

Last week, after seven months on the market, the veteran broadcaster realised around $15 million for the Fitzroy Falls property, which he describes as “magnificent” and which friends say has a plasma TV in every room, allowing Jones to indulge his passion for horse racing.

“I’ll be out before it settles, before Christmas,” he said.

“The clan arrives on Monday to help pack up and we will have a big to-do and hoorah and a send-off.

“As Maggie Tabberer said to me many years ago, it’s a good chance to edit your life.”

Jones said, contrary to reports, he will remain in Sydney, living at his Circular Quay apartment in “The Toaster”, but plans to visit his family in Southport.

“I really did only spent about 35 days a year in the Highlands prior to Covid so I will be very happy in my apartment,” he said.

“If my impoverishment means I am condemned to look at the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour every day there really is nothing to be melancholy about.”

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