Prime residential properties in Australia are on the rise, and wealthy Aussie homeowners are redefining the idea of luxury living.
Showcasing architectural brilliance, stunning landscapes and extravagant features, it’s no surprise the Australian real estate market is gaining attention from international and local buyers alike.
In the past Australian homeowners leant towards wraparound balconies and kitchens that sat separate from the living and dining areas.
Nowadays, it’s all about open plan living with homes that flow seamlessly from the kitchen to the living area, into the outdoor entertaining space.
Australian architects have embraced spaciousness and comfort, working with the natural landscape by incorporating sustainable materials and dynamic views.
With our panel of experts, from architects, to designers, real estate agents to our colleagues, we delve into the most expensive residential properties across Australia in 2023.
See the full list below >>>
WHERE ARE THE MOST EXPENSIVE HOMES IN AUSTRALIA?
From picturesque celebrity hideouts in Cape Tribulation, to the idyllic Vaucluse waterfront estate of tech guru Leon Kamenev and renovation queen Cherie Barber’s sustainable family home in Lilyfield.
We take a look at Australia’s most opulent homes and where to find them, including the top five picks across the country with links to our interactive search bars.
TOP 5 LUXURY HOMES IN NEW SOUTH WALES
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1. Leon Kamenev’s Estate
Location: Vaucluse
Value: $200m+
Having claims on being the best house in Australia, tech guru and Menulog founder Leon Kamenev’s Vaucluse estate is made up of four separate sites and includes a gym, infinity pool, sauna, guest wing, generous rooms throughout and the perfect garden for entertaining.
2. Nautilus
Location: Burraneer
Value: $60m
Owned by entrepreneur Steve Shelley, the Burraneer has a whopping 7 bedrooms, 23 bathrooms, 6 kitchens, 2 guest pavilions and 2 pools. The long list of features doesn’t end there with two bars including a wet bar, a gym, yoga studio, bowling alley, 2000 bottle ‘speakeasy’ cellar (with wine tasting room), a boathouse/cabana, private beach and marina, a ‘bat cave’, a theatre, a day spa, Turkish steam room and a 20-car display garage.
3. Celeste
Location: Avalon Beach
Value: $40m-$44m
This three-level, north facing home provides unrestricted views across Pittwater and Careel Bay. Owned by builder Robeter Yazbeck it’s features include a 20m infinity pool, limestone paved terraces, 2 kitchens, a billiard room, media room and a commercial style bar.
4. Oh Boy Candy Warehouse
Location: Lilyfield
Value: $9m
Occupied by Australia’s renovation queen Cherie Barber, this sustainable five-bedroom family home is made with natural elements including plywood instead of plaster, recycled 400-year old ship mast and gyprock for internal walls.
5. Headland House
Location: Gerroa
Value: $5m
The most exciting part of the Gerroa is the dedicated storm-viewing room, which allows its residents to watch the weather roll in over Werri’s Beach. With a blend of timber, stone and aluminium this stellar home has a unique and modern design.
TOP 5 LUXURY HOMES IN QUEENSLAND
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1. Stonebrook
Location: Chandler
Value: $20m
Designed by New Zealand architect Lawrence Sumich, the Chandler draws inspiration from the chalets of Queenstown. With giant cathedral ceilings and stone-clad fireplaces, its features range from a state-of-the-art home cinema, a gym, a billiards room and a bar designed to replicate the Raffles Hotel ‘Writers Bar’ in Singapore.
2. Home
Location: Kangaroo Point
Value: Last sold for $12.75m
The current owners of Home spent millions of dollars resurrecting the property from its former state of neglect resulting in a rare surviving example of a Federation residence in Brisbane.
3. Whipbird
Location: Doonan
Value: $25m+
Sitting high on a ridgeline overlooking panoramic district and coastal views, the Doonan takes the form of a rustic, T-shaped pavilion and includes 88 tonnes of granite used to create the hand-carved bathtubs and vanities.
4. Sculpt
Location: Indooroopilly
Value: $9m
This five-bedroom, six-bathroom architectural mansion by celebrity Brisbane builder Graya is designed around a dramatic, open-air courtyard which features a pool, 10-person spa, and two date palms worth $30,000 each.
5. Alkira Resort House
Location: Cape Tribulation
Value: $7m+
The Cape Tribulation is known to host publicity-shy celebrities and was used as a set for the Godzilla vs Kong sequel. Designed by visionary architect Charles Wright, the completely open living areas surround a pool and open air landscape gardens.
TOP 5 LUXURY HOMES IN VICTORIA
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1. Blue Bay
Location: Sorrento
Value: $20m-$22m
This luxe dwelling was designed in collaboration between architect Rob Mills and late interior designer Stuart Rattle, and is packed with imported features including heated French limestone tiles, which the owners won in a bidding battle against A-lister Angelina Jolie.
2. Pole House
Location: Fairhaven
Value: last sold for $1.7m
The Pole House stands 40m above Great Ocean Rd surf beach at Fairhaven, donning floor-to-ceiling retracting glass walls and is accessible by a narrow 23m floating walkway.
3. Coastal Estate
Location: Flinders
Value: last sold for $23m
With the Mornington Peninsula set as its backdrop, the Coastal Estate comes with its own vineyard, moonlight cinema, bowling alley, golf simulator and a party barn.
4. Campbell Point House
Location: Leopold
Value: last listed for $32m
Residing on the shore of Lake Connewarre, this luxurious 20-bedroom French chateau is fitted with stone walls, checkerboard tiled floors, sweeping staircases, an infinity-edge pool, limestone pool house, manicured gardens and a tennis court.
5. Huntingfield
Location: Toorak
Value: $60m+
A palatial European-style Toorak mansion formerly owned by ex-Melbourne Lord Mayor Ron Walker, Huntingfield is one of Melbourne’s most expensive properties. Its features include a tennis court, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, sauna, eight-car basement garage, gym and temperature-controlled wine cellar.
TOP 5 LUXURY HOMES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
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1. Grand Design
Location: Lockleys
With floor-to-ceiling windows, a white facade with black accents and soaring ceilings this home feels grand at every turn. Designed by acclaimed architect Damian Campagnolo and built by Thirteen Commercial, the Grand Design offers two levels of luxury living.
2. Berri Nice
Location: Berri
The vendors of Berri Nice transformed the circa 1900-built twin gable Tudor residence into a Hamptons-esque lifestyle and grounds, fitted with a sparkling inground swimming pool.
3. Hamptons Haven
Location: Beaumont
Designed by Girardi Design, this classic Hamptons style home is fit with contemporary interiors that make it feel warm and inviting. The real showstopper is the huge backyard with a raised entertainment deck and mineral-filtered pool and spa.
4. Hills Haven
Location: Mylor
Value: $4.3m
This four-bedroom, three bathroom home is owned by Oodie inventor David Fogarty and includes 3.81ha of landscape grounds, gardens and numerous outbuildings.
5. First Resort
Location: Kensington Gardens
Boasting resort-style living with a swimming pool, feature wine room, alfresco area and basketball court, First Resort is perfectly designed for indoor and outdoor entertainment.