THEY may not be paved with gold, but some of Queensland’s top streets positively ooze wealth.
And they are home to a rich variety of residents — from self-made entrepreneurs to sports stars, successful professionals to sharp-eyed investors.
And the odd politician.
House prices going up? Not so fast ...
More Queensland real estate news
With the property market on the move again, The Courier-Mail looks at the state’s most desirable real estate — streets of multimillion-dollar mansions mere mortals can only dream about.
One of them is Wendell St in Brisbane’s Norman Park, which has become one of Brisbane’s unofficial and informal tourist attractions.
See who owns what in the print edition of The Courier-Mail
Thousands of visitors and locals relaxing in New Farm Park or idling away time before a show at the Brisbane Powerhouse have gazed across the river at this collection of properties with a mix of envy and curiosity.
Passengers on CityCats crane their necks to catch a glimpse of how the other half lives.
The luxurious homes lining the river, and cascading down the hill behind the river bank from Hawthorne Rd, have made this one of Queensland’s most desirable addresses.
Place real estate chain founder Damian Hackett, who has sold more than $1 billion worth of homes over the past two decades, understands its appeal well.
He and his wife Sarah chose the street for their four-bedroom home five years ago.
“We voted with our feet. We love it down here,’’ he said.
“I’ve always liked the street and when the opportunity arose, we knew we wanted the house.’’
Information from RP Data and The Courier-Mail inquiriesshows that their neighbours include a member of one of Queensland’s most successful property dynasties, a retail chain founder, the family behind one of Australia’s oldest real estate companies, and a top equities dealer.
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd and his wife Therese Rein, who founded an international training company, own a parcel of land in Wendell St where they plan to build a dream home.
From the street, high walls and fences and sometimes deceptively plain facades hide the exquisite interiors and priceless views from the rear of the properties, which curve around a bend in the river.
“The key for us is the view, which is exceptional,” Mr Hackett said. You look across to the green of New Farm Park and then the tall buildings beyond.
“It’s a bit like looking over Central Park in New York.”
There’s a strong sense of connection with the river and while some of the backyard swimming pools went under during the 2011 flood, the houses escaped.
The fact it is a “no through road” ensures the street is quiet and private — and encourages a neighbourhood spirit, Mr Hackett said.
“People give you your space but get along well,” he said.
“We all get together for an Australia Day party each year.”
Mr Hackett said the street was strongly sought-after by people wanting to relocate from elsewhere in Brisbane and those transferring from interstate and overseas.
Once in, they tend to stay.
Many sales in recent years resulted from deceased estates.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7xaKlmqaTmnyzscClZJ6rpJbBpnvBq6CsmpGjsm69y51msJ2cmLyusYytpmadqJi5tr%2FIr5xmr5Wjsaa4y2aqrWWepL%2Burc1mp5qqm2Kvs7XSm5innaNiwq%2B7xZ%2BgnKGRoXq1u9SroKysXZbBtb7AnKuip55ku6bD0maqraeirnymfY9xaWpplmeEeITDaWtubmabhHOBwp9ocZtomoanrQ%3D%3D