Home to some of the world’s most striking landscapes, it seems only fitting that Australia should play host to some seriously gorgeous pieces of real estate too.
From modernist masterpieces hiding in the treetops to state heritage homes steeped in history, click or scroll for a round-up of some of the most beautiful residences the country has to offer...
With its architectural grandeur, spectacular interiors and storied history, Noorilim Estate, near Nagambie in Victoria, is one of the finest private residences in Australia.
Just a two-hour drive northeast of Melbourne, on 160 acres (64.75 ha) of majestic grounds the property includes a private beach on the Goulburn River.
The magnificent Italianate mansion was designed by architect James Gall in 1879 for parliamentarian William Winter-Irving, at a time when money flowed in Victoria as a result of the Gold Rush.
Lavish interiors include a library, study, 10 bedrooms, 15 fireplaces, seven staircases, servants’ quarters and a minstrels’ gallery, where famous Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba once performed.
The sheer grandeur of the property is evident throughout, and nowhere more so than in its jaw-dropping grand hall. Dominated by Corinthian columns, 16-foot-high (5m) ceilings and elaborate cornices, the luminous Minton tiles were laid by Italian artisans brought out especially for the commission.
Adjacent to the hall is a sitting room, library and dining room, all with windows looking out onto the arched veranda with its lavish plants and statues.
A restored tower in the mansion looks out to the grounds, which were designed by landscape gardener William Guilfoyle, known for his work on Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens.
They feature over 300 trees, a rose garden with a central fountain, expansive rolling lawns, as well as vineyards and an ornamental lake with a boathouse.
Noorilim belonged to late entrepreneur and art dealer Rod Menzies from 1998. He died in 2022. Once a stud farm in the early part of the 20th century, it produced three Melbourne Cup winners, including the 1910 race winner Comedy King, who is buried in the grounds.
One of Menzies' three sons, Brandon, and his wife Lucy, whom he married here in 2015, ran the property as a wedding venue until it closed during the pandemic.
It was put on the market with Christie’s International Real Estate in 2024, with a price tag in excess of AUD$15 million (£7.6m/$10m). A new chapter awaits.
Tucked away in the treetops of tropical north Queensland, this remarkable property was built in 2014 by Jessie Bennett Studio.
The fascinating structure has been awarded numerous accolades for its innovative concrete design, including the Australian House of the Year at the 2015 Houses Awards and the Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture at the 2015 National Architecture Awards.
The distinctive home perches on a ridge in the rainforest, flanked by a tranquil swimming pool for cooling off in the humid summer heat.
An array of eco-friendly features have been incorporated into the design, such as passive cooling systems, deep eaves to shield the interior from the sun and cross ventilation to cool the property during the day.
The structure's wings stretch out on stilts to form curved open-plan living spaces. The kitchen zone features floating wooden counters and a small pantry tucked away behind a dividing wall.
Architect Jesse Bennett's wife, designer Anne-Marie Campagnolo, is responsible for the home's stunning interior, combining vibrant colours and tactile textures with sleek modern touches.
Every space in Planchonella House is oriented to make the most of the property's beautiful location.
In the bathroom, swathes of floor-to-ceiling glass frame phenomenal treetop vistas, drawing the rainforest inside the dramatic home. You could have great fun birdwatching from the bath...
Clad in white wood, this charming property was once a time-worn timber home that had seen better days.
Architects Vokes and Peters breathed new life into the historic house with a sensitive renovation, creating a stunning space for modern living while preserving the heritage of the site.
Inside, the double-height main living room lends an airy, spacious feel to the interior, exaggerated by the two-tone walls that zone the vast space.
Upstairs, an open, glass-fronted landing creates continuity between the levels, channelling daylight through the innovative layout.
Simple yet stylish, the crisp palette of white walls and ceilings evokes coastal beach house vibes, but it's the clever nods to the home's heritage that really stand out.
We love the intricate archway that separates the dining room from the sitting room. Just look at that woodwork!
The owners were eager to have access to a backyard for their dogs to play in, as well as a swimming pool to cope with the humid Brisbane climate.
To create a seamless connection between the house and the garden, the architects installed retractable doors across the walls at the rear of the house, forming a bright and breezy spot where the owners can lounge with their four-legged friends.
The ultimate in cutting edge architecture, the Lakehouse is a newly-built waterfront home in the popular tourist destination of Kangaroo Valley in New South Wales, just a two-hour drive from Sydney.
Constructed from stone and natural timber, the structure, which was for sale in October 2024 for around AUD$7 million (£3.6m/$4.7m) with Christie's International Real Estate, complements the ever-changing hues of the surrounding nature.
A carefully conceived floorplan affords 360-degree views across Lake Yarrunga and its dramatic slopes.
Designed by architect Alfie Arcuri, who won the fifth season of reality talent show, The Voice Australia, the Lakehouse has been built to connect with its surroundings, its indoor space flowing to the outside and its impressive 1,148 feet (350m) of lake frontage.
Stunning travertine steps lead down to the 39-foot (12m) infinity pool and spa, which merge seamlessly into the lake views.
“Inhabitants are not mere spectators; they become integral parts of the surrounding landscape,” Arcuri told Australian magazine The Real Estate Conversation.
The main living area spans across an immense single level, a rustic stone-clad two-way fireplace providing dramatic separation of the dining and family living rooms.
Adjoining the dining room is the substantial bespoke, stone-topped kitchen finished in blackbutt cabinetry. Blackbutt gets its name from the rough bark at the tree base, which is usually charred black from past bushfires.
The kitchen is complete with an enormous island bench, where friends can gather and flow effortlessly from one space to another.
Elsewhere are four spacious ensuite bedrooms, five-and-a-half bathrooms and a generous study, while polished concrete floors throughout extend to a substantial covered alfresco terrace, which is cantilevered over the landscape, making entertaining a breeze.
And if it looks like the grass is always greener in this image, it is. Automatic irrigation ensures the property remains green regardless of rainfall, provided by an underground concrete water tank, which is fed from the lake.
This historic Victorian manor sits within a sprawling estate in the Blue Mountains. Built in the early 1880s by Irish-born bedding manufacturer John Lawler, the estate features picturesque gardens, wide verandas, original decorative iron fretwork and even a medieval tower.
Showcasing exquisite craftsmanship from every angle, the sandstone masterpiece, which was originally called Eringarth, was last on the market in 2019 with a guide price of AUD$4.5 million (£2.3m/$3m).
Nestled in the gated grounds, the stunning medieval turreted folly adds extra wow factor to this impressive property, seen here in a promotional video produced by Merrick Property Group.
Elsewhere, the estate's half an acre (1.25ha) of serene gardens are home to a scenic pavilion and a historic tool shed for green-fingered residents.
With a generous six bedrooms and four bathrooms, the interior is no less enchanting. The dining room features stunning views of the medieval tower.
The elegant accommodation at Bunda House offers a step back in time, from the original marble fireplaces to the historic leaded windows and intricate ceiling covings.
In 1926, Lawler gifted the estate to the Sisters of St Joseph, of which his two daughters were members, and the property was for a time used as a convent and school.
The extensive property includes a cellar, ballroom, games room and library, so there's plenty of space for a large family to spread out.
There's even a fully-tiled sauna for relaxing and unwinding after a long day enjoying the best the estate can offer.
It was previously owned by jeweller and antique dealer Veronica Bunda, who renamed the estate in her name and often used the extensive space to exhibit her wares.
A new residence in a historic neighbourhood, Princess Street House was designed to maximise the available space on a snug urban plot.
The work of Owen Architecture, the property manages to blend in with neighbouring houses while offering a distinctive new take on suburban residential design.
So, it's hardly surprising that the pad was shortlisted for Australia's prestigious Houses Awards.
Inside, exposed brickwork creates an industrial feel that contrasts beautifully with the polished marble counters in the open kitchen.
True to the home's philosophy, not an inch of interior space is wasted. You can even find bike hooks by the entrance to keep clutter to a minimum.
Typically, the main living spaces are found downstairs, while the bedrooms are accessed by a handsome wooden staircase.
On the ground floor, the interior is punctuated by openings that draw the outdoors in. Doorways open up to the exterior landscaping, allowing light and air to flow through the property.
With its luxe gold fixtures and chic marble tops, the kitchen is situated at the heart of the home.
Light and airy, it's flanked by the carport, which is accessed by a span of sliding doors. You could even set up a large dining table on the driveway to accommodate larger alfresco gatherings.
One of the finest Federation-style estates we’ve ever laid eyes on, Maltoende sits among gorgeous natural scenery, surrounded by manicured gardens, trees and greenery.
Over the years, extensions and renovations to the early 1900s estate have been painstakingly sympathetic and the home has been flawlessly preserved and enhanced to create this sizeable, stately estate.
Last sold in 2020 for AUD$7.1 million (£3.6m/$4.8m), the gated residence accommodates six bedrooms and three bathrooms.
There are considerable extras including a tennis court, swimming pool, home office, gym, studio and a self-contained guest wing just off the kitchen.
The interior oozes old-world elegance, thanks to the home's palatial proportions and period details, from ceiling cornicing to original fireplaces and stunning woodwork.
Perfect for larger families, Maltoende has been thoughtfully designed to offer an array of living spaces, including sociable family rooms and a cosy dining room for more formal entertaining.
One of the highlights of the residence is the fluid indoor-outdoor design that extends across the living spaces, with most rooms opening out onto the home's deep wraparound verandas.
Comfortably fitted out with lighting and plush furnishings, we can't think of anywhere more idyllic to sit back and relax.
This wonderfully unique two-bedroom home in Brisbane's busy 'Little Italy' area was formerly a post-war worker's cottage.
Since Cavill Architects completed an extensive modernisation project, the property has enjoyed notable praise and was even shortlisted in the homes category of the 2018 World Architecture Festival.
Featuring two bedrooms, a living area, a laundry room, a garage, a pantry, a kitchen, a dining room, a sitting room and a study, this intriguing home provides a calm oasis in the suburbs of Brisbane.
The renovations to the structure were undertaken to create a series of 'relic-like garden walls' repurposed as living spaces.
Swathes of concrete throughout the structure create a cool, minimal feel that tempers the harsh Australian heat.
In the rectangular kitchen-diner, a unique slatted skylight allows light to filter down into the space, while shielding residents from direct sun.
Framing the leafy courtyard, sliding wood-framed doors line the internal walls, drawing the outdoor zone into the fluid living area.
Mindful of its impact on the character of the street, the exterior is relatively modest. But inside the boundary walls, the home's secrets are revealed.
The addition of clever outdoor spaces, a curved balcony and swathes of glass add a modern twist to this historic post-war property.
Named after the French saying meaning 'the joy of life', this spectacular provincial-style mansion would not look out of place alongside one of the grand chateaux of rural France.
It's actually in a commanding position overlooking the water in Bayview, New South Wales. And if it looks familiar to some Australians, that's because it had a starring role in the first ever season of reality TV series The Bachelor Australia in 2013, reports Australian news site news.com.au.
Offering six plush bedrooms and six bathrooms, this one-of-a-kind property, glimpsed in a promotional video produced by Christie's International Real Estate is nothing short of opulent, with sprawling interiors reminiscent of a luxury hotel through every door.
Wow-factor touches include 24-carat gold filigree balustrades, parquet flooring and eye-catching arched French windows.
Every design detail has been carefully considered, including this stunning vaulted glass roof.
The breathtaking master retreat offers the ultimate in luxury, while elsewhere you'll find a further array of stunning spaces including a library, home gym and gourmet state-of-the-art kitchen, perfect for sociable entertaining.
From the swimming pool and championship tennis court to the luxury guest cottage and six-car garage, the property is not short on amenities.
But the stand-out feature is surely the incredible panoramic views from the sandstone terraces, stretching from Pittwater to the Pacific.
The property was last seen on the market in early 2024, with Christie's, with a guide price of around AUD$20 million (£10.3m/$13.5m).
Historic ‘Glen Alpine’ is a State heritage listed house located in one of Queensland’s most stunning landscapes, with views spanning Redwood Park, Tabletop Mountain, the Lockyer Valley and the distant hills towards Brisbane.
Originally built around 1918, the five-bedroom dream home, set in 38,642 square feet (3,590 sqm) of beautiful gardens, has been thoughtfully modernised by acclaimed architect Paul Owen and was for sale in October 2024 with GOOD Real Estate for AUD$6,000 (£3.1k/$4k).
“The project involved remaking each end of the house, covering the traditional verandas whilst preserving the original character and detail,” says Paul Owen, who has juxtaposed huge modern picture windows with heritage features in perfect harmony in this terrace area.
All spaces open onto level lawns and gardens, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. “The new work used the garden environment for cues and inspiration,” says Paul.
Once home to Queensland’s Chief Justice, governors and other distinguished figures, the home pays homage to its illustrious past while feeling light and contemporary.
The beautifully modernised interiors include a stately library with floor-to-ceiling bespoke cedar joinery and four working fireplaces, as seen in this stunning family kitchen, which provides a modern lifestyle within the walls of this distinguished historical property.
Who wouldn’t want to wake up in this comfortable master bedroom with its private balcony and panoramic views?
Originally designed by architect Henry J. Marks, Paul Owen has worked sensitively with the home’s period features to produce a masterpiece of exquisite craftsmanship and refined elegance.
As the listing says, “This is a sanctuary for the family, a peaceful retreat where you feel completely removed from the outside world.”
Possibly the most significant estate in the Blue Mountains, Leuralla is a grand historic residence set in 5.5 acres (2.2 ha) of landscaped gardens and designed in the Federation Free Classical style by Edward Hewlett Hogben.
The former Toy and Railway Museum, the landmark closed its doors for the last time in October 2022, when its contents were auctioned off to the public.
The property was for sale in October 2024 with Christie’s International Real Estate with a guide price of just shy of AUD$11 million (£5.6m/$7.4m).
Built between 1910 and 1914, the stunning botanical gardens, which feature an amphitheatre with views across the Jamison Valley, were first created by its first owner, wealthy yachtsman Harry Andreas. Danish-born Australian landscape gardener Paul Sorensen later improved them.
The estate has been in the same family for generations. It was the late Clive Andreas Evatt Jnr, a renowned barrister, and his second wife Elizabeth Margaret Evatt who transformed the residence and grounds into the Toy and Railway Museum in 1980.
Scouring the world for rare and collectable toy and railway memorabilia, according to property site realestate.com.au, it is believed to have housed the world’s most significant single collection of 20th-century toys.
Reflecting the architectural artistry of its time, the interiors are adorned with an abundance of Queensland Maple panelling and intricately carved fretwork.
Of particular note is the entrance portico and handcrafted staircase. It ascends to the upper level, with seven spacious bedrooms, a study, two external balconies and two enclosed verandas.
Leading off the entrance is the elegant gentleman’s drawing room or formal lounge, a music room and an impressive games room with space for a full-sized billiards table.
Soaring coffered ceilings are ornately decorated, and each room boasts an original fireplace, while elsewhere, banks of French doors open out onto the large covered terrace with its splendid views across the grounds.
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