Hercules Hits the Market: Byron Hinterland Estate with Breathtaking Ocean Views Listed for $30M
A property that packs a powerful punch, Hercules in Byron Bay’s hinterland is an estate to go down in history.
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Befitting its majestic name, Hercules is a mammoth 5.59ha property occupying the largest parcel of flat land along the Byron escarpment. Thanks to its prime position, the estate has head turning ocean views out to Broken Head National Park and the famous Cape Byron lighthouse.
Two homes share the unparalleled parcel along with a tennis court, two pools, separate guest accommodation, a function centre, music studio, a dam and even a thriving citrus orchard.
Billionaire developer and CEO of retirement development group GemLife, Adrian Puljich, and his wife Jessica, who runs interior design firm House Society, are selling Hercules after less than three years of ownership.
The prominent over-50s developer launched his latest venture Allure in September last year. With a $500 million pipeline of land lease communities to roll-out in Queensland by late 2025, Allira will house more than 1000 homes for seniors.
Listed with Nick Dunn of McGrath Byron Bay, the prestige property is sporting a $27 million to $30 million price guide. Although the hefty sum is an impressive price tag for a regional non-waterfront property, the greater Byron benchmark is significantly higher. That record was set in 2023 when tech entrepreneur Benjamin Bray reportedly paid $37 million for The Range, a 48ha luxury escape nearby, also in Coopers Shoot.
Mr and Mrs Puljich bought the estate for $22 million in June 2022 from previous owners Robert and Deborah Wild, co-directors of the Evolve College school of massage training. Back in 2014, the Wilds had bought the retreat for $7.9 million from international music producer Tom Misner, founder of SAU University College.
Although Hercules is not located on the coast, the ocean is still the headline act with a sweeping Pacific panorama from almost every turn, including two observation decks at the cliff face and a ionised horizon pool which appears to be at one with the big blue.
In the five-bedroom main residence there are multiple formal and informal rooms for grand scale entertaining, a wide ocean view terrace for alfresco gatherings, as well as an internal Travertine barbecue courtyard.
The contemporary kitchen has a full suite of German appliances, and each bedroom has its own ensuite. Other features of the 895sq m primary dwelling include a private office, a wine cellar, a first-floor games room and a six-car garage.
Throughout the rest of the resort-like property there is a modern two-storey three-bedroom health retreat with its own pool, a championship-sized tennis court with flood lights, a gym and steam room, plus a 100sq m state-of-the-art film and sound recording studio with a make up room, bathrooms and adjacent offices. A conference centre offers 200sq m of training space, as well as consulting, treatment and meeting rooms, a kitchen and toilets.
Additional features of the expansive property include a solar system, gated entry with video security system, an extensive data network, high electrical power connection capacity with substation upgrade to 315kVA, a water bore with irrigation and a 200,000L rainwater tank.
Hercules is an approximate five-minute drive to Byron Bay or Bangalow and about 30 minutes from Balinna Gateway Airport.
Listed with McGrath Byron Bay’s Nick Dunn, Hercules is on the market via private treaty sale with a price guide of between $27 million to $30 million.
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Tuscan elegance and Hollywood glamour come face to face in the Sunshine Coast’s coveted hinterland with the award-winning Château Immanuel.
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Created by the current owners Helene and Nick Van Der Merwe, the European-inspired five-bedroom mansion was listed a year ago but has just resurfaced with an $11 million price guide through Melissa Schembri and Daniel Rees of Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty.
An iconic estate behind a secure gated entry, the 1340sq m property features a long tree-lined driveway leading up to a stately turning circle and grand water feature, manicured lawns, ornamental gardens and a private lake.
Unfolding across one of the hinterland’s most tightly held pockets, the landmark residence was even crowned the Master Builders Sunshine Coast House of the Year upon its completion in 2012.
Château Immanuel was a two-year labour of love for the pair. Mrs Van Der Merwe said the couple, who have decided to relocate to a cattle farm, will miss the home’s year-round versatility.
“I’ll miss the serenity for sure. When the gate closes behind you, the busy world is left behind. It’s private and quiet, our own little bubble of paradise. In winter, I enjoy sitting in front of our bedroom fireplace with a good novel, chocolates, and red wine. In summer, I love being outside on the patio, sharing fabulous food and laughter with friends,” she said, adding that the house is a great entertainer inside and out.
“It’s grand and spacious, yet warm, comfortable, and inviting. Everyone loves dancing under the stars,” she said.
Hand-picked finishes include Italian flagstone flooring, Portuguese limestone fireplaces, ceiling roses imported from the US and French chandeliers.
The residence’s main wing has a dramatic foyer with 9m ceilings, which opens through to multiple formal and informal living areas focused on the vast covered patio for seamless outdoor entertaining.
The contemporary kitchen has stone bench tops, a long, expansive central island, a walk-in pantry, and commercial-grade appliances including a double oven and gas cooktop tucked behind bespoke cabinetry.
The outdoor room has multiple seating zones with bronze chandeliers, an integrated alfresco kitchen, and a stone fireplace overlooking a 14m swimming pool and gazebo.
A palatial primary bedroom suite sits in its own wing and is home to a sitting area, private terrace, fireplace, walk-in robe, a deluxe dressing room and a spa-like ensuite with a sunken tub.
An upper level houses a second spacious retreat with a bath ensuite, fireplace and balcony.
Across the expansive layout the self-contained guest annex adds more flexibility for extended family or visitors, containing three more bedrooms with ensuites, a separate kitchen, an open plan living zone and a courtyard.
Additional features at Château Immanuel include ducted air-conditioning and vacuuming, an integrated sound system, security, a 10kW solar system with a generator backup and an irrigation system. The grounds have a self-contained artist’s studio, a large shed, a dog run, ornamental ponds, antique statues and a four-car garage.
Château Immanuel is close to Maroochydore CBD and the international airport, 30 minutes to Noosa, and under an hour to Brisbane.
Offered through an expressions of interest campaign, Château Immanuel has a guide of $11 million via Melissa Schembri and Daniel Rees of Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty.
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