What is the biggest house in Australia?

The biggest house in Australia is Fairwater, a two-storey mansion in the harbour-side Sydney suburb of Point Piper. Built in 1882, the heritage house features period finishes, stained glass windows, painted ceilings, decorative rich mosaic floors, door leafs and door furniture, panelled walls, and chimney pieces.

Owned by the Fairfax family for over a century, this heritage home sits on a sprawling 1.12ha estate. In 2018, it was sold for $AUD100 million to Atlassian co-founder and tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes.

Considered the most expensive home in Australia at the time of its sale, the massive Point Piper mansion Fairwater was designed by the leading architect of the time, John Horbury Hunt. Fairwater is the largest privately owned property on the harbour with the waterfront estate extending from New South Head Road to Seven Shillings Beach.

More of the biggest houses in Australia

Fairview Front Of House

1) Fairwater, Point Piper

As mentioned, Fairwater takes out the title of biggest house in Australia. The list of the next biggest houses follows. This list only includes private residences.

2) Elaine, Point Piper NSW

Built in 1863 and also located in Point Piper, this Sydney harbourfront landmark is currently undergoing a major renovation. The 6986sqm estate is owned by the billionaire Atlassian co-founder and his wife Kim Jackson. Prior to that it was owned for many years by the Fairfax family, one of Australia’s most well-known media families. The second biggest house in Australia, it offers rich and spectacular views over the surrounding garden down to Point Piper’s Seven Shillings Beach.

3) Lar Mer, Vaucluse NSW

Currently owned by property developer Chau Chak Wing, Lar Mer was originally home to the famous James Packer and his former wife Erica. A huge house that incorporates land that previously accommodated three separate houses, Lar Mer took three years to build. It is the third biggest house in Australia.

4) Phoenix Acres, Vaucluse NSW

Situated on an enormous 3,731sqm waterfront block, Phoenix Acres commands some of the best views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline available. Adjacent to Kutti Beach & Watsons Bay, the mansion also has its own private boathouse and jetty facilities, a pool, six bed rooms, six baths, a library, study, gym and a tennis court. Phoenix Acres is currently owned by cosmetic surgeon and hotelier Jerry Schwartz.

5) Altona, Point Piper NSW

Altona was built in 1904 for MP and Supreme Court judge Augustus James. He named the mansion after his wife Altona. Over the years, the house has become known for hosting lavish high society parties by its pool and being frequented by famous Hollywood movie stars. A nine-bedroom and nine-bathroom Wunulla Road waterfront mansion, the house is currently owned by Jiaer Huang and family. It is the fifth biggest house in Australia.

6) Portofino, Point Piper NSW

Owned by ‘Andy’ Wenlei Song, a stock trader from mainland China, Portofino is situated on a 1,433sqm block in a protected cove in Point Piper. A Tuscan-style, Ercole Palazzetti designed residence with six bed rooms and a private jetty, this mansion has a large water frontage and a boat facility that is large enough to handle an 80ft vessel. Apart from the main residence, there is also a two-bedroom guest apartment, as well as a gym including the best equipment, billiard area, sauna, swimming pool, media rooms, as well as a huge, manicured gardens and a three-car garage.

7) Gold Coast mansion, Sovereign Island

With its construction finally completed in 2019, after many years and many millions of dollars spent, this massive mansion at 26 Knightsbridge Pde East, Sovereign Island (which has now become a famous address), was designed by the Brunei royal family architect Bayden Goddard. Standing on a huge 4,254m² block, with 106m of broadwater frontage, the house was designed to mirror the feel of a Mediterranean European Estate. It features two wings, which are connected by a spectacular Grand Hall and an impressive Foyer.

8) Rona, Bellevue Hill NSW

Designed by G. A. Morell and built in 1883 for Edward William Knox, Rona is a two-storey house built of Sydney sandstone. Owned by cattle and property investors, Jacqui and Richard Scheinberg, the massive house is in Victorian Rustic Gothic Revival style. Its features include a tennis court, pool, main bedroom with bay window, and three other double bed rooms, each with built-in wardrobes and Calacatta marble ensuites.

What is the biggest house in the world?

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective) the biggest house in Australia is nowhere near the size of the world’s largest. That honour goes to Mumbai’s Antilia, a 37,000sqm private residence built in 2006.

Owned by one of the richest men in the world, Mukesh Ambani, the 27-storey tower is 190m tall. Not content with one record, the massive home is also the world’s most expensive at more than $USD2 billion. How many houses in Australia would that buy? Given that, in the December 2020 quarter, Australia's national average price for a house was $852,940 ($USD 663,540), the answer to that question is over 3,000 houses.

What is the biggest property in Australia?

While we’re on the subject of massive things, it’s worth mentioning that the largest property in Australia is the legendary Anna Station. Situated in South Australia, 160 km east of Coober Pedy and midway between Oodnadatta and Marree, it covers and an amazing 23,677 km² This makes the famous cattle station not only the biggest property in Australia but the biggest cattle station in the world. In fact, almost unbelievably, it is slightly larger than the nation of Israel.

Architecture News & Editorial Desk

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