Lisa Curry and Mark Tabone create a rural ‘million-star retreat’

A scattering of sheds and buildings across Lisa Curry’s sprawling property comprises the puzzle pieces that make the house a home.

Former swimming champion Lisa Curry and entertainer Mark Tabone in their Sunshine Coast hinterland home. Picture: Glenn Hunt

A scattering of sheds and buildings across Lisa Curry’s sprawling property comprises the puzzle pieces that make the house a home.

The former swimming champ­ion and husband Mark Tabone purchased their 24-hectare property in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland in 2017. It was a decision that surprised Curry, who never thought she would move away from the water.

But the property they’ve called Mali Retreat — a combination of their names — has become their private escape from the rest of the world.

“It’s what we like to call a million-star retreat. When we are sitting outside by the campfire, that is all you can see,” Curry says.

The old machinery shed has become a groovy time-machine back to the middle of the past century. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Good luck finding any nod to her success in the pool on the walls or getting dusty on shelves, with the three-time Olympian admitting she probably couldn’t find all the prizes herself.

Instead, their home is styled in a mishmash of what they call “cosy boho vintage”, with a mixture of retro and reclaimed furniture. Baskets of wool and half-finished knitting and crochet projects are scattered around, a hobby Curry has taken up in recent years.

The former farming sheds that once dotted the property have been given an upgrade.

The previous machinery hub has become a man cave, the stables have been transformed into an event hall and an old storage shed for farming equipment is now a home gym and barre studio. It complements the horse arena and pool on the opposite side of the home, which all overlook rolling hills and bushland.

Lisa Curry and her husband Mark Tabone have an enviable vintage car collection on display at their Sunshine Coast property. Picture: Glenn Hunt

A kennel for their kelpie puppy, also called Mali, is the retreat’s latest addition. Like many people, Tabone took up a project during the coronavirus lockdown, hand-building a treehouse for their grandson Flynn, 2, and their second grandchild, due later this year.

Plans have just been approved by the local council to allow events at the property, including weddings such as Tabone and Curry’s own, and retreats for women under the banner of Curry’s health and lifestyle company, Happy Healthy You.

“We still have a few items to tick off but our dreams are finally becoming reality,” Curry says. “We want people to feel super relaxed. When you are away from the normal hectic and sometimes overwhelming life, you can stop and reset.”

The businesswoman runs the company, which promotes natural alternatives for hormonal health, from her office shack adjoining the homestead, alongside business partner, naturopath and author Jeff Butterworth.

“There are a lot of women who grew up with me. At this stage in our lives, we are getting married, divorced, widowed, empty nests where our kids are growing up and moving on, and many people find themselves seeking more. We need to spend more time on ourselves and maybe even reinvent ourselves,” Curry says.

Good luck finding any nod to Lisa Curry’s success in the pool on the walls or getting dusty on shelves, with the three-time Olympian admitting she probably couldn’t find all the prizes herself. Picture: Glenn Hunt

She says she never planned to marry again but found herself drawn to Tabone over their shared love of the 1960s and 70s. Tabone, a seasoned entertainer whose shows pay homage to pop acts including John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones and Buddy Holly, lived in Melbourne when they met before moving to the Sunshine State for the couple to be together.

The old machinery shed has become a groovy time-machine back to the middle of the past century. More than a half-dozen television sets with spin dials sit against the wall surrounded by rotary phones, old-school movie posters and knick-knack figurines of the hottest pop-culture icons of the time. There’s a large projector screen and several comfy couches straight from a mid-century catalogue. The couple reminisce about a New Year’s Eve party where they dressed up as Sonny and Cher for karaoke — easy considering Tabone’s ample costume collection.

It’s not just furniture and art.

An enviable vintage car collection is also on display, including a pastel green and white Volkswagen Beetle, a bug painted in a striking Union Jack, a lemon-yellow Kombi van featuring blue waves up the side, a Cadillac convertible and a 1966 Mustang to match Tabone’s age.

Curry still owns her Alexandra Headland apartment with ocean views where she lived before moving to the hinterland.