Celebrities buying in Byron Bay, Southern Highlands and Noosa
OUR most popular A-listers are snapping up property across the nation. It’s been well-reported that Byron Bay and Noosa are attracting plenty of stars, but it seems there’s another lesser known regional area that is flying under the property radar.
THEY’RE rich, they’re famous and they can be hard to find — and it’s because more and more Australian celebrities are snapping up property in the unlikeliest of places.
While the country’s eastern seaboard has long been a favourite with A-listers from far and wide, they’re now honing in on areas where you might not expect to find big names.
BYRON BAY
With the likes of Chris and Liam Hemsworth already in residence, there’s no denying that Byron is home to Australia’s “true” A-listers.
In 2014 Chris Hemsworth and wife Elsa Pataky spent $7 million on a Broken Head property that they have since begun renovating. Locals often spot Hemsworth alongside brother Liam and his beau, singer Miley Cyrus, but they’re not the only ones to be seen traipsing around the sunny holiday spot.
Most recently, Melbourne-based The Project panellist and radio personality Carrie Bickmore splashed out on a $3 million holiday home in the area. News of the sale broke in April, just two months before Bickmore announced she was pregnant with her third child.
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Other celebs to grace the banks of Byron include soccer super star Tim Cahill, and netball legend Liz Ellis.
Ellis lives on a 64ha cattle farm just outside of Byron, while Cahill spent $1.7 million on an inland 13ha estate in 2017.
Other big names to have graced the area include supermodel Gemma Ward who recently listed her holiday pad for long-term rent and tennis star Pat Rafter who bought a 38ha property on the outskirts of Byron Bay.
TV personality Shelley Craft, Newcastle Knights player Aidan Guerra and celebrity chef Shannon Bennett have all also felt the pull of Byron Bay alongside singer Natalie Imbruglia, actor Isabel Lucas and crooner Pete Murray.
Even Hollywood heavyweight Matt Damon and Australia’s sweetheart Margot Robbie have been rumoured to be on the hunt in the area.
NOOSA
Another area popular with the rich and famous is Noosa. Not only home to Australian celebrities, it’s also drawn in international superstars, such as famed business magnate Richard Branson.
Branson bought Makepeace Island in the Noosa river in the early 2000s for $2.86 million.
Aussies to have bought up in the popular tourist area include celebrity accountant Anthony Bell and wife Kelly Landry who paid $10.3 million for a six-bedroom, waterfront home on Noosa Sound in 2017.
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Jon Coghill, former drummer of Powderfinger, bought a $1.37 million home in Marcus Beach in 2014 while former professional racing driver Mark Webber splashed out $4.9 million in 2011 on a home in Noosa Heads.
Former Olympic swimmers Dawn Fraser and Lisa Curry also own homes in the area.
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
Despite Byron and Noosa being such big hits with Australia locals and celebs, there’s heavy competition for our national celebrity hotspot, with another NSW region drawing our A-listers further inland.
With its lush greenery and enormous estates, the Southern Highlands has long been popular with stars that have searched for peace and privacy.
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Most recently radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands and partner Imogen Anthony snapped up a 61ha farm in the NSW town of Robertson for just under $3 million.
Well before Sandilands and Anthony shacked up in the farmhouse estate, Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman and hubby Keith Urban had moved into the area.
They own Bunya Hill, a Sutton Forest 45ha estate which includes a Gregorian mansion and cattle stud. They paid $6.8 million for the property in 2008.
Other celebrities who have bought into or previously lived in the Highlands include fashion designer Collette Dinnigan, cricketer Michael Clarke and wife Kyly and Sandilands' on-air co-host Jackie O.
Original yellow Wiggle Greg Page has also bought into the area, while Aussie icon Jimmy Barnes has owned a riverfront property at Berrima since 2008 when he paid $1.85 million for it.
His daughter Mahalia and her family also recently bought in Berrima.
Originally published as Celebrities buying in Byron Bay, Southern Highlands and Noosa