Inside the Sunshine Coast, Noosa’s biggest mansions
If walls could talk, these homes would have stories to tell. From creative designs to famous owners and A-lister guests, take a look at these standout Sunshine Coast mansions.
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If walls could talk, these houses would have some wild stories to tell.
It’s no secret the Sunshine Coast and Noosa are home to some of the most beautiful, and unusual, homes in the country - and there are some interesting stories behind them.
Take an inside look at 11 of the Sunshine Coast and Noosa’s most prolific mansions.
BUDERIM - mansion with nuclear bunker
Once owned by American tech billionaire Ron Miller, this mega mansion perched atop Buderim mountain has been a hot topic of conversation among residents for years.
Property data states Mr Miller bought the property, and the one behind it on Coolum View Tce in 2002 and 2003, respectively, and turned it into a large concrete mega-mansion.
The expansive home was rumoured to include a nuclear bunker.
Despite being on prime land with stunning views though, the home was never completed nor lived in.
The home was the subject of multiple court battles after neighbours complained of the extension. The neighbours lost.
Mr Miller eventually sold the home to Distinctive Estates Pty Ltd in July 2021 for $5m.
It was bulldozed in August and is now in the process of being subdivided, much to the joy of neighbours.
DICKY BEACH - ‘Super IGA’ home: Wilson Ave
This beachfront mansion on Wilson Ave in Dicky Beach was dubbed the “Super IGA” by locals during its construction because of the scale of the build.
Some thought it would become a supermarket, others a car park, but it was later revealed to be a four-storey mega mansion complete with a glass lift as well as its own tennis court, bowling lane and basketball court.
The $10m project was named house of the year at the 2023 Sunshine Coast Master Builders Housing and Construction Awards, where it was described as a “concrete masterpiece”.
Owner Michael Kerr, a Sunshine Coast resident of 20 years, said in August that he was “very happy” with the builder and delighted with the property.
“It’s exactly what we were looking for,” he said.
SUNSHINE BEACH - Domic: Seaview Tce
Once named one of Australia’s top getaway destinations, this mega holiday mansion owned by Russian hemp tycoon Evgeny Skigin looks like something out of a movie.
The six-bedroom, 10-bathroom home, Domic, which is Russian for house of domes, was inspired by sustainable living with a focus on blending into its natural landscape, which backs onto the Noosa National Park.
During its construction, neighbours were surprised to see choppers flying in $5000 each Pandanus trees.
It features a 25m lap pool, sauna and gym and the same commercial-standard cinema found at Oprah Winfrey’s home.
With a price tag north of $100,000 a week, the stunning home has attracted a-lister guests.
Niche Luxury Escapes managing director Sue Willis said it was a popular choice for celebrities wanting a private escape with the property located within chopper distance from Gold Coast’s Hollywood studio.
SUNSHINE BEACH - Stunning home attracts celeb buyers: Seaview Tce
This house with stunning ocean views has been home to several big Australian names, with the current owner being former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s entrepreneur wife Therese Rein.
Before Ms Rein snapped it up for $17m in May 2020, it was owned by the founder of Noosa-based Betty’s Burgers, David Hales.
Mr Hales had bought the property from Australian tennis great Pat Rafter.
GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS - Carriage-style eco lodge: Barrs Rd
What was once a pineapple farm is now the Glass House Mountains Ecolodge – but this is no ordinary retreat.
The ecolodge includes a repurposed church and multiple train carriages, all of which have been fitted out for guests.
It features two different carriages; the Victorian, built between 1882-86 and one of only 23 of its kind and the Queenslander, which is more than 60 years ago.
The 125-year-old “old Queensland country” style church was renovated to include a loft bedroom.
VERRIERDALE - The tent house
This unusual home featured on season seven of Grand Designs Australia, after a nurse and a doctor enlisted the help of local architect Dan Sparks to design a house that was close to nature.
The result was what is now known as “The Tent House” – a $1.6m tent home with four bedrooms, a kitchen and living area surrounded by rainforest in the Noosa hinterland.
But the unusual construction was also practical, with a retractable roof designed to collect rainwater – the owner’s main source of water.
NOOSA HEADS - Jungle style home: Witta Circle
This house on an exclusive street in Noosa Heads was crowned the Best Home in Australia by HIA-CSR in April 2022.
The multimillion-dollar jungle-style home includes a window framed pool in the courtyard which is visible from inside the house.
Witta Circle is known as “old Noosa’s” most prestigious street with big names such as Real Housewives star Krissy Marsh owning property on it.
TINBEERWAH - Eagle’s Nest: Dath Henderson Rd
Perched on a cool 60ha of land and complete with its own private golf course, this Tinbeerwah home owned by socialite Janelle Mulder is the definition of living in luxury.
The multimillion-dollar seven-bedroom home includes a tennis court, infinity pool and even has space to land a helicopter.
Six of the seven bedrooms, all of which include ensuites, have balconies.
The property made headlines in August 2022 when it was listed for rent at $10,000 a week and with a $50,000 bond.
On September 29, 2023 it was listed for sale via expressions of interest.
MAKEPEACE ISLAND - A-lister’s paradise
This Noosa river island was bought by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson reportedly for $2.6m in the early-2000s, and it has been established as one of the most high-profile celebrity holiday spots.
The island can accommodate 22 guests and has hosted several A-listers including Justin Bieber and Chris and Liam Hemsworth.
It features a main house with a giant bar, a four-bedroom guesthouse, several two-bedroom villas, a boat house and a lagoon pool with a lap lane, dive spots and a 15-person spa.
COOLUM - The dome home: Dunnart Place
Panoramic Mount Coolum views engulf every well-crafted corner of the hexagonal, atrium-style home.
Complete with a designer pool, central atrium living room, and residential lift, this award-winning unique build has hit the market several times in recent years and had drummed up considerable interest from international buyers.
Now, it’s up for auction again with Tom Offermann Real Estate, to go under the hammer on Sunday, October 8.
MALENY - Two Roads
Two Roads is a jaw-dropping six-bedroom homestead located in the hills behind Maleny on 74ha.
The hinterland home was formerly owned by Brisbane developer and Mosaic Property Group founder Brook Monahan, before it was sold in a private deal in 2021.
Designed in partnership with Aspect Architecture, the master-planned property had been a working farm with 45 head of cattle plus horses.
Its facilities include an Olympic-sized dressage arena, a commercial-sized gym, a helipad, and a huge living and recreation space hidden beneath the tennis court.
The property has won a slew of prestigious architecture and design awards, including Queensland Home of the Year 2016.
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