Stay in infamous loan shark Tim ‘Sharky’ Ward’s Gold Coast multi-million dollar mansion … for a price

Ever wanted to live like one of the Gold Coast’s most colourful Glitter Strip figures? It won’t come cheap, but it’s definitely worth the money.

Ever wanted to live like one of the Gold Coast’s most notorious underworld figures? Well, now you can – for the princely sum of just $2130 a night.

Up to 12 guests can enjoy a “Versace inspired” stay on Admiralty Drive, Paradise Waters, with canal views, a private jetty, table tennis and a swimming pool – just like its owner, Tim ‘Sharky’ Ward would.

The taste of the high life is available on Airbnb and according to property listings has five bedrooms, seven beds and 5.5 bathrooms plus space for three vehicles – although that may not include the chopper parked in the living room.

Ward’s living room backs onto the stunning Gold Coast canals.

One of the main living spaces.

Why watch the telly when you can enjoy the canal views.

One of the five bedrooms on offer.

The views aren’t to be sniffed at.

According to CoreLogic data, the Glitter Strip identity purchased the property for $4.3 million in 2008, following a stint as a club owner and enforcer.

The listing describes the property as “prestigious” and located on “Millionaires Row in Surfers Paradise” with views of both the beach and the hinterland, with a deep water river berth as well.

“Whether travelling for business or pleasure this home has everything you require and is the epitome of luxury,” the listing reads.

Reviews for the property are glowing, claiming it is a “fantastic” place to stay, a “great location” with only one exception: One reviewer took issue with the kitchen, claiming there was only “one teaspoon, and a single champagne glass” and to cook a complex meal one would need to take their own cooking utensils.

The kitchen looks nice, but according to one reviewer the cupboards are bare.

Ward earned a fearsome reputation as a money lender throughout the 00s, charging up to 200 per cent interest on his loans.

He moved to Thailand in 2009 shortly after purchasing the mansion and, living in Pattaya for more than a decade and captured an international cult following by documenting his charity work with stray dogs.

A recent post by Ward on social media.

He returned to Australia in April 2021 due to Thailand's tough lockdown laws, and told the Bulletin last month he wanted nothing to do with his former Glitter Strip life, and was instead spending his spare time riding dirt bikes in the bush.

However in a bizarre series of recent posts on social media, Ward claimed he was back in Thailand and had not returned to Australia at all.

Tim Ward image taken from The Official Tim Sharky Website.

“There’s an article written about me living on the Gold Coast doing gangster s**t when the reality is I’m sitting here, drinking coffee, listening to Pearl Jam … looking out over the Gulf of f**king Thailand, which is a million miles away from Australia,” he said.

Ward’s social media shows timestamped pictures of him at his Paradise Waters home in March, and dirt biking in Australian bushland in June and July.

A resident confirmed to the Bulletin they had spotted Ward residing at the waterfront home as recently as July while others said they saw him at a local ‘Woolies’ supermarket.

Originally published as Stay in infamous loan shark Tim ‘Sharky’ Ward’s Gold Coast multi-million dollar mansion … for a price