Lowes boss lists $30m Whale Beach super-estate
Lodge Dauphin, a sprawling designer compound above Whale Beach, hits the market with expectations around $30 million, offering a private resort with ocean views.
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It’s only fitting that the CEO and co-owner of menswear giant, Lowes, has fabricated an extra-large family compound overlooking one of Australia’s most exclusive beaches.
Linda Penn and her dentist husband, David, have just listed their clifftop villa, Lodge Dauphin, at Whale Beach on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Although no public price guide has been announced by the father-and-son agent duo, David Edwards and BJ of LJ Hooker Palm Beach, a source places expectations at “about” $30 million.
More than just a glamorous trophy home, Lodge Dauphin is a self-contained resort, complete with a private golf course, sauna, spa, and infinity pool.
The Penns bought the mansion in 2012 for $3.075 million, according to title records, but took three years to craft a show-stopping estate with the help of an expert team of award-winning designers.
Acclaimed architect Michael Suttor crafted the sandstone main residence, while designer Deanne Rooz curated its sophisticated interiors. Outdoors, landscapers Richard Unsworth and Paul Bangay created a waterside wonderland with terraced fairways on the 2150 sq. metre site.
A private playground with sweeping ocean views across Whale Beach up to the Central Coast, the expansive Whale Beach property cascades down the clifftop, surrounded by towering pine and gum trees as well as gardens bursting with native flora, manicured hedges, and immersive garden zones.
The five-bedroom, five-bathroom home was built from more than 1000 tonnes of stone, and features multiple living spaces over three primary levels. Rich natural materials are showcased throughout the property, with stone, solid oak, marble, brass, and European Oak antique basket-weave flooring all elevating the luxury interiors.
Beyond a central entry court, the everyday spaces include a palatial lounge and dining area with high cathedral ceilings, a central marble fireplace, and a vast balcony with enviable views.
This same level houses a state-of-the-art kitchen with an integrated Sub-Zero fridge and freezer, a Wolf oven, a gas stove, and a separate drinks fridge.
The upper level features a separate lounge area and four bedrooms, each with a private ensuite and built-ins. In the primary bedroom, there is an opulent open ensuite with a handmade freestanding bathtub, twin vanities, a powder room and a walk-in wardrobe.
Three of the four bedrooms also have personal balconies.
A self-contained guest bedroom with a kitchenette on the entry level is an ideal space for visitors or live-in staff.
Resort-style amenities on the lower floor include a large gym or games area with a wet bar, a sauna, a wine cellar, and a vast terrace spilling out to the heated infinity pool, “egg” spa, and poolside lounge room.
Taking resort-style living to another level, the landscaped grounds also feature more than 50 smart-zoned areas, 200 LED copper garden lights, and A4 Bent Grass greens on the personal golf course.
The high-tech compound has the latest smart home integration, including lighting, seven-zone air conditioning, Vintec air filtration, 30 security cameras, Sonos sound, and irrigation.
Additional features of the property include three water tanks, Wi-Fi throughout the grounds, an elevator to all levels, underfloor heating, three powder rooms, and a double-lockup garage with a turntable.
Lodge Dauphin at 143-145 Whale Beach Rd, Whale Beach is listed with LJ Hooker Palm Beach agents BJ and David Edwards.
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Rugged coastal drives and fireside drams define a slow, indulgent journey through Scotland’s far north.
Mount French Lodge offers a rare mix of privacy, scale and hospitality potential as demand grows for prestige estates beyond beachside hotspots.
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Mount French Lodge, one of the most remarkable private estates in Queensland’s Scenic Rim, has been brought to market, offering a glimpse into the growing appetite for high-end lifestyle properties beyond the state’s traditional beachside enclaves.
Located in the tiny locality of Charlwood, around 100km inland from Brisbane and home to just 146 residents at the 2021 Census, the estate stands in stark contrast to its quiet surroundings. Set across nearly 100 acres and positioned some 600 feet above sea level, the property occupies a commanding vantage point beneath the escarpments of Mount French.
It’s this combination of elevation, scale and seclusion that defines the estate, not just as a private residence, but as an experience-led destination. Mount French Lodge has been recognised in both the 2024 and 2025 Best of Queensland Experiences, reflecting a broader shift towards luxury rural retreats that blur the line between home, hospitality and investment.
Last sold for $3.65 million in 2021 to Brisbane-based entrepreneur Tim Woodhouse, the estate has since evolved into a multifaceted holding. At its core is a central lodge, complemented by guest accommodation, entertaining spaces and resort-style amenities spread across two distinct plateaus.
In total, the property comprises 12 bedrooms configured across eight self-contained apartments within multiple lodges. At its heart is the Great Room, a central gathering space anchored by a large living area and fireplace. Nearby, a fully equipped outdoor pavilion with barbecue facilities sits alongside the estate’s swimming pool.
The property is being marketed as a private compound, ranch, corporate retreat and a wedding venue, highlighting its potential as a lifestyle asset with income-generating capability. This kind of flexibility is increasingly resonating with buyers, particularly as demand grows for properties that can serve as multigenerational homes, wellness retreats or boutique accommodation offerings.
Despite its sense of isolation, Mount French Lodge remains within relatively easy reach of Brisbane, around an hour by road or just minutes by helicopter. That balance of accessibility and privacy underscores the broader appeal of the Scenic Rim, which continues to emerge as a quiet achiever in Queensland’s prestige property market.
The listing is being handled by Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty agents Sandy Davies and Nicholas Miranda, and is expected to attract interest from both domestic and international buyers.
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