Whitsundays’ Most Exclusive Home Lists for Sale
Designed by the late Kerry Hill and built by Hutchinson Builders, The Residence at Hayman Island blends tropical modernism with absolute waterfront luxury.
2 min
Is this Whitsunday’s best home?
Hayman Island may have been ravaged by Cyclone Debbie in 2017, which saw the island, one of the smallest of the major Whitsunday islands, all but shut down, but the 390-hectare paradise has made an extraordinary comeback.
The InterContinental brand took over the island’s only resort, which was completely devastated by the Category 4 cyclone. The same year the cyclone hit, The Residence at Hayman was built, one of just two private residences on the island.
Constructed by Hutchinson Builders, a Tier 1 builder better known for delivering some of South East Queensland’s finest multi-residential developments, the lavish home is made from reinforced concrete with a blend of glass and timber battening.
It was designed by the late, internationally renowned architect Kerry Hill, widely regarded as a key figure in refining tropical modernist architecture. Hill was an island specialist, having designed several major resorts in Bali.
The Residence at Hayman spans three levels and offers over 1,400 sqm of living space, including around 580 sqm of internal living areas. The remainder comprises breezeways, terraces, and balconies designed to embrace the island’s subtropical climate.
Entry to the home is via the upper level, as the property tiers down the site with direct access to the beach. The top and lower levels accommodate most of the home’s eight bedrooms, as well as a study and a double garage with buggy parking, the preferred mode of transport throughout the Whitsundays.
The middle level is home to the main kitchen, living, and dining areas, complete with a full butler’s pantry. It opens to a large, L-shaped terrace featuring an outdoor kitchen, alfresco dining and lounge zones, and a sundeck. The terrace flows to the basalt-clad infinity swimming pool, deck, and cabana with integrated seating, as well as a pool house.
Owners or guests of The Residence also have access to the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort facilities, including 24-hour room service, butler assistance, private chefs, and the resort’s wellness centre.
Whitefox agents Cheyne Fox and Nic Whitehead are marketing The Residence as “a rare and extraordinary find.”
“This is more than just a home, it’s an opportunity to own a piece of paradise, a legacy to share with family and friends for generations to come,” Fox said.
The only other private residence on Hayman Island, Hayman House, is also on the market. Commissioned by Terry Peabody, former billionaire and Transpacific Industries founder, Hayman House was first listed last year with hopes of $27 million, later reportedly reduced to $20 million in early 2025.
Designed by Kerry Hill and also built by Hutchies (in 2010), Hayman House shares a similar design ethos to The Residence, albeit on a smaller scale. Its 18-week construction endured three cyclones, with all site access via the beach, which had to be reinforced to prevent heavy vehicles from sinking into the sand.
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Australia’s housing market defies forecasts as prices surge past pandemic-era benchmarks.
First-home incentives can still form part of a long-term investment plan if used strategically.
3 min
Australia’s home prices continue to grow, and while that makes them great investments, they are also some of the most unaffordable in the world.
That’s why first-home buyer schemes such as the First Home Owner Grant, the First Home Guarantee, and stamp duty concessions have become so valuable.
These programs are designed to reduce upfront costs and fast-track people into homeownership.
But the question many aspiring investors are now asking is can these schemes be used as part of an investment strategy? These government initiatives aren’t designed for investors, but they can still play a key role in your long-term investment journey if used strategically.
What the schemes actually allow
Every first-home buyer incentive in Australia is created to support owner-occupiers, not investors.
Whether it’s a cash grant, reduced deposit requirement, or a stamp duty discount, the catch is always the same in that you must live in the property for a set period of time. For example, the First Home Owner Grant often requires you to live in the property for at least six to twelve months, depending on the state.
The First Home Guarantee allows you to purchase with just a 5 per cent deposit without paying lenders’ mortgage insurance, but again, you’re required to live in the property for at least one year.
Likewise, state-based stamp duty concessions are only available for properties intended as a principal place of residence. If your intention from the outset is to buy a property solely for rental income, you won’t be eligible. However, if you’re open to living in the property initially, then transitioning it into an investment, there’s a path forward.
A strategy that works
Rentvesting has emerged as one of the most practical ways for first-time buyers to take advantage of these schemes while also laying the groundwork for a property portfolio.
The concept is simply, buying a property in an area you can afford (using the first-home buyer schemes to assist), live in it for the minimum required period, and then rent it out after fulfilling the occupancy condition.
This approach lets you legally access the benefits of first-home buyer schemes while building equity and entering the market sooner. Instead of waiting years to save a full 20 per cent deposit for an investment property, or getting priced out altogether, you get your foot in the door with reduced upfront costs.
Once you’ve satisfied the live-in requirement, the property can become an income-generating asset and even serve as collateral for your next purchase.
What to look for in a rentvestment property
If you plan to eventually convert the property into an investment, you need to think beyond your short-term living experience. It’s essential to buy a property that performs well both as a home and as a long-term asset.
That means looking at key fundamentals like location, rental demand, and growth potential. Suburbs with strong infrastructure, access to employment hubs, good transport links, and low vacancy rates should be high on your list.
A balanced price-to-rent ratio will help ensure manageable holding costs once the property transitions to an investment.
Established low-density areas often outperform high-rise apartment developments that flood the market with supply and limit capital growth. And ideally, your property should offer scope for future improvements, whether that’s a cosmetic renovation, granny flat addition, or potential to subdivide down the track.
Mistakes to avoid
There are a few common missteps that can undermine this strategy. The first is selling too soon. Some grants and stamp duty concessions include clawback provisions if you offload the property within a short period, which could see you lose the benefits or even owe money back.
It’s also a mistake to let the lure of a government handout sway your purchasing decision. A $10,000 grant doesn’t justify compromising on location, growth prospects, or property fundamentals.
Another pitfall is failing to consider the financial impact once the property becomes an investment. Repayments, tax treatment, and outgoings may change, so it’s important to stress-test your position from day one.
Lastly, beware of buying into oversupplied areas simply because they’re marketed to first-home buyers. Not all new builds are good investments. If hundreds of identical properties are being built nearby, your long-term growth could be seriously limited.
With the right approach, your first home can be the foundation for an entire property portfolio. It starts with using available government support to lower your entry cost.
From there, you occupy the property for the required time, convert it to an investment, and leverage the equity and rental income to fund your next purchase.
Many of the most successful investors today began with a single, strategically chosen property purchased using these exact schemes. By buying well, you can turn your first home into the launchpad for long-term wealth.
Abdullah Nouh is the Founder of Mecca Property Group (MPG), a buyers’ advisory firm specialising in investment opportunities in residential and commercial real estate. In recent years, his team has acquired over $300 million worth of assets for 250+ clients across Australia.
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