Property of the week: 6 Bulkara St, Wagstaffe
Agave is the epitome of Instagramable coastal vibes in an exclusive deep waterfront setting.
2 min
Agave may only be six years young, but the glamorous Central Coast beach house is already a record holder two times over.
Crowned HIA-CSR Australian House of the Year in 2018, the Dennis Rabinowitz-designed waterfront residence set a price benchmark for the region in 2020 when it sold for $9.5 million, then again in 2022 after reportedly achieving “well above” its $13.5 million price expectations.
Cathy Baker, principal of Belle Property Central Coast, sold the property each time and has just listed the insta-worthy retreat again with a $16 million guide.
“This is a world class offering. The parcel of land is incredible and it has such a unique north-facing aspect in an exclusive gated community,” Ms Baker said.
“It’s rare to find properties like this one which tick all the boxes for a beautiful home or luxury holiday house.”
Set in the private San Toy Estate on 2188sq m, the Wagstaffe weekender is a sophisticated snapshot of laidback coastal design blending the great outdoors with carefully curated interiors featuring clean white lines and a minimalist palette.
Created for outdoor entertaining on a grand scale, or just lazy days on the water’s edge, Agave’s savvy open-plan design flows freely from three separate living zones onto alfresco decks a lanai-style internal courtyard with welcoming palm trees and feature tiles.
The grand central deck is focussed on capturing the tranquil water outlook and has an integrated barbecue area with ample room for all year round dining or soaking up the sun by the saltwater pool or private sandy beach.
Boating enthusiasts can pull right up to the jetty with deepwater mooring suitable for a super yacht or luxury cruiser while a separate deck is home to a private boathouse retreat that is ideal for yoga or meditation. There is also plenty of space for kayaks and stand up paddleboards.
At the heart of the home an open plan dining area takes centre stage and the state of the art kitchen has sleek marble bench tops, high-end appliances and a big butler’s pantry.
The indulgent seven-bedroom layout features five deluxe ensuites including a luxury hotel-inspired primary suite on the ground floor privately positioned away from the main living areas and other bedrooms. A second level houses six more bedrooms including a bunk room, ideal for multiple family getaways.
Previously listed as a luxury holiday rental earning in excess of $4000 a night, Agave can sleep up to 14 people comfortably, and with multiple entertaining areas and lounging spaces there is a place for everyone to retreat to inside and out.
In addition to landscaped gardens, there is a a top-of-the-line security system, air-conditioning and a double lock-up garage.
Agave is close to Lobster Beach, the Palm Beach and Ettalong ferries and the Bouddi National Park.
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4 min
Toorak’s reputation has been built on grand estates, tightly held boulevards and some of Melbourne’s most valuable residential land. Yet one of its rarest attributes is largely hidden from the street: direct frontage to the Yarra River.
Although the river traces much of Toorak’s northern boundary, just over 20 homes in the blue-chip suburb are believed to border the water—and fewer still provide genuine river access. There is no definitive public register of Toorak homes with private jetties, but prestige agents have consistently described them as only a handful.
It is rare, then, for a property offering both river frontage and direct water access to become available in Melbourne’s so-called billionaire’s playground. The newly built Solara on Orrong Road presents precisely that opportunity.
Set on approximately 1,129sqm, the five-bedroom residence descends towards the river, culminating in a private, double-tiered jetty. Here, the Yarra is more than a distant outlook: it becomes part of daily life, offering a place to launch a boat, relax beside the water or travel towards the city from home.
That distinction is significant in Toorak. Many of the suburb’s finest properties offer scale, security and architectural pedigree, but very few combine all three with direct access to the river.
Architecture shaped by the site
Designed by Melbourne studio Alta and constructed by EASTON, Solara has been conceived as a series of interconnected levels descending towards the Yarra.
Rather than presenting as a single imposing volume, the house responds to its sloping site through stepped terraces, landscaped outdoor areas and large expanses of glazing. The architecture gradually reveals the water, drawing the eye through the interior and towards the river below.
The design has earned Solara a nomination in the 2026 Master Builders Excellence in Housing Awards.
Inside, a restrained material palette allows texture, proportion and natural light to carry the design. Stone, timber, glass and finely detailed joinery establish a sense of permanence without overwhelming the river setting.
The principal living area is arranged beneath a dramatic double-height ceiling, giving the room the scale expected of a major Toorak residence while maintaining a strong connection to the garden and water.
Full-height glazing opens the house to its outlook, while multiple living and entertaining spaces allow the property to transition between intimate family use and larger gatherings.
A private resort beside the Yarra
Solara’s principal living spaces open onto an expansive river-facing terrace containing a swimming pool and spa.
The outdoor area has been positioned to take advantage of both the northern light and the relative seclusion of the riverbank. Mature landscaping provides another layer of privacy, softening the architecture and creating the atmosphere of a private resort.
Below, the grounds continue towards the double-tiered jetty.
The residence also incorporates a dedicated wellness area and gym, reinforcing the sense that the home has been designed to provide a complete lifestyle within its boundaries.
Its accommodation includes five bedrooms and six bathrooms, with the principal suite occupying a private domain of its own. The house also provides garaging for four cars—an important consideration in a property of this scale.
Across the residence, the emphasis is less on overt decoration than on volume, outlook and craftsmanship. Sightlines have been carefully managed so that the river is encountered repeatedly, rather than being confined to a single formal room.
A different expression of Toorak prestige
Toorak’s luxury market is often associated with historic mansions and large European-inspired estates. Solara represents a more contemporary interpretation of the suburb: architecturally ambitious, highly private and organised around lifestyle rather than formality.
Its position also places it within a particularly scarce segment of the market.
Riverfront homes have previously appeared along addresses including St Georges Road and Edzell Avenue, although they tend to remain in the same ownership for long periods. Even among these properties, private jetties and convenient access to the water are not universal.
That scarcity separates Solara from other prestige homes that may offer river views without actually reaching the river.
For buyers operating at the upper end of Melbourne’s residential market, the value proposition is therefore not simply the size of the house or its list of amenities. It is the combination of new architecture, substantial land, resort facilities and an attribute that cannot readily be recreated: private access to the Yarra from Toorak.
Solara is being marketed with a guide of $16.8 million to $18.3 million through Jamie Mi of Kay & Burton.
Property snapshot
Address: 803 Orrong Road, Toorak, Victoria
Guide: $16.8 million–$18.3 million
Agent: Kay & Burton agent Jamie Mi
Land: Approximately 1,129sqm
Accommodation: Five bedrooms, six bathrooms and four-car accommodation
Design: Alta
Builder: EASTON
Key features: Private jetty, direct river access, gym, indoor spa and double-height living volume
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