A designer-furnished tropical mansion on the edge of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef will be auctioned in late August in Australia’s popular coastal town of South Mission Beach.
Ashley and Samantha Hardwick, co-owners of Australian clothing chain Cotton On, have been calling the luxury property their family’s second home since purchasing it in 2021 for A$8 million.
Although the publication of auction price guides is banned in north Queensland, Sotheby’s Tropical North Queensland real estate agent Barbara Wolveridge said a high price was expected for the luxury home.
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“Coastal properties at this level are trading for well over A$10 million (US$6.74 million),” she said.
“Villa BE promises the luxury of your own island, yet with easy access to essential amenities and infrastructure,” says Wolveridge. “The Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest are also on your doorstep, providing easy access to two World Heritage wonders.”
Located in an exclusive gated community along Explorers Drive in Lugger Bay, 93 miles south of Cairns, Villa BE sits on 3.19 manicured acres with approximately 575 feet of private beachfront.
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The Hardwick family, from Melbourne, have been using the seaside property as a family retreat for the past three years.
Cotton On Group operates retail businesses that include brands such as Cotton On, Cotton On Kids, Cotton On Body, Rubi Shoes, Typo, Factory and Supre. The first store opened in 1991 and the company now has over 1,800 stores in 18 countries.
“There are only a handful of properties in Australia with north-facing beach views and even fewer with immediate private beachfront access to the north,” says Ashley Hardwick, adding that it was love at first sight with this unique hideaway.
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“When I found Villa BE, I knew it was like nothing I’d ever seen before,” he says. “You can spend days without seeing anyone, but still be able to walk the beach and take advantage of all the great restaurants and amenities. It’s the perfect combination of privacy and convenience.”
The estate has private access to a secluded beach and the popular Kennedy Trail walking trail. It is part of a private gated estate designated as a National Resource Conservation Area, and neighboring homes are protected by the surrounding native rainforest.
With five bedrooms, five bathrooms and parking for up to 12 cars, this luxury villa can sleep up to 16 people and its helicopter access makes it an increasingly popular luxury holiday rental property.
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“It was great to be able to holiday with other families,” says Ashley Hardwick. “The accommodation options allow for up to four families to stay at one time. There’s plenty of space for kids and adults to hang out together, but you can also enjoy some quiet time on your own. We’ve had a fantastic time and created beautiful memories staying at Villa BE on a variety of holidays.”
The spacious single-storey home offers 6,479 sq ft of internal living space and a 2,088 sq ft outdoor terrace. The open-plan kitchen is anchored by an unusual 30ft stone island and matching bespoke joinery wall, plus a butler’s pantry for discreet catering.
“There are plenty of places to enjoy the outdoors, whether that be lying on a daybed, hanging out by the pool, enjoying the luxuries of a cabana, or strolling to the beach. The kitchen and separate butler’s kitchen are [some] “It’s one of my favorite places in the house and I’m going to miss cooking big meals while looking out over Dunk Island,” Samantha Hardwick said.
“Amazing views, private access to the beach, a quiet location with all the amenities you need just steps away, a stay surrounded by tranquility and the most beautiful nature. We will definitely cherish our last stay here.”
The palatial master bedroom boasts a private terrace, a dressing-room-style walk-in closet and a large bathroom with an open-air stone bathtub.
Outdoors, there are lush tropical gardens, an infinity-edge pool with a swim-up bar and poolside cabanas, stables for two horses, and a separate one-bedroom caretaker’s apartment.
Villa BE is located 3.5km from Elandra Resort, renowned for its fine dining restaurants, 10km from Mission Beach Marketplace and 156km from Cairns Domestic and International Airports.
The auction will take place both online and in person on August 22nd.
