A CASHED-UP sports star splurged $8.4 million on an oceanfront mansion there.
A burger-flipping entrepreneur just paid a record $18 million for a piece of its real estate.
And a power couple at the centre of a high profile marriage split have spent more than $10 million on a waterfront hideaway in the town.
The exclusive seaside village of Noosa, on the Sunshine Coast, has long been a favourite holiday spot for the world’s rich and famous.
But these days, they don’t just go there to relax — they go there to live.
Just ask the likes of ex-Formula One driver Mark Webber, retail billionaire John Van Lieshout, musician Jon Coghill and former car rental boss Bob Ansett, who all call Noosa home.
Former professional tennis star Joshua Eagle also owns property in the area, while Greg ‘The Shark’ Norman is reportedly hunting for a home there.
And don’t forget Suits star Gabriel Macht, whose wife is Australian actor Jacinda Barrett, has invited the royal newlyweds Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to honeymoon at their Noosa beach house, which was bought more than a decade ago for just over $750,000.
The town’s strict population cap and laid-back lifestyle, combined with its beautiful beaches, rainforest and ecological areas, have made it highly sought-after real estate.
Local agents are reporting a resurgence in Noosa’s prestige property market, which is forecast to further gather speed as a result of strong interstate migration and infrastructure investment.
A decade on from the damage caused by the global financial crisis, the super wealthy are returning to the town in droves — and they’re happy to pay top dollar for whatever they can get their hands on.
Just last month, a Little Cove beach house owned by high profile stockbroker David Evans changed hands for $11.2 million to a Melbourne-based buyer linked to the Roger David menswear chain, after selling for only half that just three years ago.
In March this year, Noosa’s median house price reached $665,000, compared to the Sunshine Coast median house price of $563,000, according to the latest Real Estate Institute of Queensland figures.
The Noosa unit market also blossomed over the past 12 months, growing a stunning 7.1 per cent to reach an annual median price of $525,000 — the most expensive unit market in Queensland.
In fact, Noosa house prices have grown 38.5 per cent since 2013 — the strongest medium-term growth anywhere in Queensland.
Tom Offermann of Tom Offermann Real Estate, who has had a long career selling beach and riverfront mansions in the Noosa region, said he had noticed a growing trend among high profile buyers looking for holiday homes not to rent out, but to use for bringing family together.
“We’ve had a large number of people in recent months come to us citing that their intention is to purchase a holiday home so they have a place to bring the family together,” he said.
Mr Offermann said it was a “pleasure” dealing with clients at the top end of the market, who were particular about what they liked, time poor and appreciated confidentiality.
“There’s a lot of people under the radar here with hundreds of millions, or even billions, that you don’t even know of,” he said.
Adrian Reed, an agent with Dowling & Neylan Real Estate Noosaville said the Noosa region’s appeal had broadened from “its traditional base of Melbourne elite”.
“There’s significant interest now coming out of Sydney and internationally and that’s changed the profile of not only the popularity of Noosa, but who’s living and working here,” Mr Reed said.
“The ability for people to work remotely now is completely changing the paradigm and allowing people to be remote CEOs.
“The convenience of the commute or a private jet to the Sunshine Coast airport means they can operate at the highest level and live in paradise.”
Mr Reed said he expected the new-found interest in the Noosa region to increase.
“When you look at what you can get for $10 million in comparison to Sydney, Noosa is exceptional value,” he said.
THE RICH AND FAMOUS WHO CALL NOOSA HOME
Adam Scott, champion golfer
Bought an oceanfront house in Sunshine Beach for $8.4 million in April 2017.
Anthony Bell and Kelly Landry, celebrity accountant and television identity
Paid $10.3 million for a six-bedroom, waterfront home on Noosa Sound in October 2017, which was rated HIA Queensland home of the year.
Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder
Bought Makepeace Island in the Noosa river in the early 2000s for $2.86 million.
The property features a main long house with a giant bar, a four-bedroom guesthouse, several two-bedroom villas, a boat house and a lagoon pool with a lap lane, dive spots and a 15-person spa. It can accommodate up to 22 guests.
Jon Coghill, former drummer of Powderfinger
Bought a house in Marcus Beach for $1.37 million in 2014.
David Hales, Betty’s Burgers founder
Bought Pat Rafter’s property in Sunshine Beach for $15.2 million in January 2018.
David Russell, co-founder of private equity group Equis Energy
Paid $18 million for a house in Sunshine Beach in February 2018 — the highest price ever paid for a home in the entire Sunshine Coast region.
Mark Webber, former professional racing driver
Owns a house on 1362 sqm of land in Noosa Heads, which he bought for $4.9 million in 2011 from former tennis star Thomas Muster.
John van Lieshout, billionaire founder of Super A-Mart furniture store chain
Owns two houses next to each other on the canal in Noosa Heads. He bought one for $3.68 million in 2011 and the other for $430,000 in 1989.
He also owns The Seahaven Resort overlooking Laguna Bay, which he paid just over $40 million for in 2012.
Jacinda Barrett, Australian actress
Owns a beach house in Sunrise Beach, which was bought for $762,000 in 2006.
Dawn Fraser, former Olympic swimmer
Lives in a house in Noosaville. It was bought for $1.398 million in 2004.
Bob Ansett, Budget Rent A Car founder
Lives in a house in Sunshine Beach, which he bought for just $260,000 in 1987.
Carl Hartmann, entrepreneur
Owns a house in Noosaville, which he paid $3.8 million for in November 2017.
Brian White, Ray White Group chairman
Owns a unit at Little Cove, Noosa Heads, which he bought for $4.25 million in 2001.
Graham (Skroo) Turner, Flight Centre CEO
Owns a unit in the same building as Brian White.
Euan Murdoch, Herron Pharmaceuticals founder
Owns a unit in the same building as Brian White and Graham Turner.
Joshua Eagle, former professional tennis player
Owns a three-bedroom house in Sunshine Beach, which he paid $870,000 for in 2006.
Lisa Curry, former Olympic swimmer
Bought a house in Crohamhurst with her Elvis impersonator husband, Mark Tabone, in July 2017 for $1.125 million.
She also owns a unit in Alexandra Headland and a house in Minyama, which she bought with her former husband Grant Kenny.