Beachfront Queensland Mansion With Drive-In Foyer Lists For $6.8 Million

A contemporary waterfront megamansion with a drive-in foyer, a lionfish-stocked saltwater aquarium and direct access to the beach hit the market Monday with a guide price of $6.8 million.

Located in Kewarra Beach — which is part of the Cairns northern beaches region of Queensland—the residence is expected to set a record for the most expensive home in the area, according to listing agent Barbara Wolveridge of Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty.

“The highest sale price [in the region] is $6.5 million and we anticipate exceeding that price with the Astoria House sale which has a price guide of $6.8 million,” she said in an email. “With the buyers’ interest that we have received to date, we anticipate establishing a new benchmark sale for the region.”

Designed by Los Angeles-based architect Andy Hall, the more than 1050sqm abode was commissioned by restaurant entrepreneur Alistair Paton and his wife, Theresa, and completed in 2018. They purchased the underlying property in 2009 for A$1.3 million, according to records on PropTrack.

The glass-and-steel home was designed to maximize views of Double Island and beyond to the Great Barrier Reef. In fact, it has the largest glass window in the southern hemisphere and it is manufactured with bulletproof glass, according to Mr. Paton. The couple also installed an array of impressive amenities, starting with the foyer, which boasts drive-in capabilities and room to display a car collection.

“People [are] instantly wowed when they walk through the front door and see the massive steel-and-glass curtain wall,” Mr Paton said in an email. “Everyone wonders how it was built, how long it took and how we got the materials to the building site. They also love the Ducati inside, the extensive art gallery walls and the vintage Alfa Romeo that we used to have parked inside.”

The saltwater aquarium is another highlight.

“We have lionfish, an epaulette shark, stonefishes, Picasso triggerfish, and a dog-faced puffer,” Mr Paton continued. “I wanted a tank with a blue-ringed octopus and leopard sharks, however, that was sensibly tempered given our young children enjoying feeding the fish.”

The home has five bedrooms, including two primary bedroom suites which are “like little houses in themselves,” Ms. Paton said in an email. “I love the oversized balconies. In winter, we sleep with the balcony doors open. There’s nothing like seeing the stars at night and falling asleep to the sound of waves then waking up to a beach view in the morning. What a way to start the day!”

Other amenities include a soundproof office, solar panels, a concert-grade sound system “suitable to host a Rolling Stones concert or a solo violinist” and an outdoor entertaining area with a pool and sports fields. The home also has direct access to the beach and the paved walking trail that extends along the Coral Seas coastline.

Tucked away in Byron Bay’s coveted hinterland, Whimsy Farm is a traditional rural homestead surrounded by more than 16ha of lush fertile grounds with equestrian facilities and a host of whimsical additions including a fairytale-inspired maze.

Just listed with Sotheby’s International Realty Byron Bay, agents Denzil Lloyd and Will Phillips are running an expressions of interest campaign on the glamorous getaway with a price guide of $5.25 million to $5.75 million.

The romantic estate in Federal, 25 kms from Byron Bay dates back more than a century, but has been meticulously renovated by its current owners to attain modern day dream home status.

Back in 2016, the enviable property even featured on Foxtel’s short-lived reality TV show I Own Australia’s Best Home. The picturesque parcel has also been appreciated by location scouts and has appeared in a long list of fashion brand and magazine shoots such as Country Style and Queensland Homes.

Owner Melinda Boundy, founder of boutique interiors firm Melinda Boundy Design, was instrumental in reviving the historic Federal homestead. She has described the rural property as a “a respite from the world” where she and her husband have raised their two sons over the past decade.

“I brought my boys down 10 years ago to nurture their creativity, their boyhood,” Boundy said in a recent Instagram post announcing the impending sale.

“We found our farm with its double-storey treehouse and 40 acres the perfect place for two young boys to thrive.”

In addition to hiring out the estate for formal events, Boundy said the family had celebrated several milestones at the address.

“Many parties, sleepovers, friends staying and events have been held [here]. It has seen the filming of a TV show or two, music videos, location shoots and weddings,” she added.

“Now it’s time to pass the baton to another family to share the magic and wonderment of this beautiful compound.”

Lloyd agreed that the listing is a magical estate, ripe for the picking.

“It’s a wonderland. There’s the maze, but it’s also got the treehouse, teepee, dams, beautiful established veggie gardens and it’s perfect for those who love horse riding,” Mr Lloyd said.

“It really is an oasis with plenty of classical charm as well. It’s not an ostentatious home; it’s an original Queenslander from 1910.”

Living up to its storybook name, Whimsy Farm is home to a preserved traditional Queenslander residence with five bedrooms, plus a freestanding guest cottage. There is also a separate pool house and a combined shed or office on site, all capturing scenic hinterland views.

The main single-storey residence has a choice of entertaining spaces inside and out as well as bedrooms opening to private alfresco areas. A grand kitchen and the large living room both open to a vast terrace and pool area.

In the primary bedrooms suite there is a bay window overlooking the natural surrounds, an ensuite with double vanities, and out on the covered deck an outdoor bathtub is an idyllic spot for soaking under the stars.

The playful property has also operated as a holiday rental and offers up unique bonus features including a solar-heated semi circle pool, a double-storey treehouse, a teepee, horse stables, paddocks and a an Olympic-sized dressage arena.

A true tree change destination, the Federal address is home to 10 acres of regenerated forest, eight water tanks, two lagoons, extensive raised veggie gardens and a citrus orchard.

It is conveniently located a scenic 30-minute drive to Byron Bay and 20 minutes to Bangalow.

Whimsy Farm at 711 Federal Dr, Federal is listed through Sotheby’s International Realty Byron Bay through an expressions of interest campaign closing February 20, 5pm.

Beachfront Queensland Mansion With Drive-In Foyer Lists For $6.8 Million

There’s also a saltwater aquarium, a soundproof office and views of the Great Barrier Reef.

Whimsy Farm is a playful period estate positioned in Byron Bay’s picturesque hinterland.