Diet king sheds hefty estate – split in two
AUSSIE diet king Graham Mitchell – founder of the pioneering food delivery service Lite n’ Easy – is trimming his personal property portfolio with the sale of an incredible Gold Coast acreage estate complete with its own tropical botanical garden and a waterfall.
Originally listed just before Christmas as a huge 78.7ha parcel with a $10m price tag, the unique Currumbin Valley listing has now been split into two. Buyers can buy 52ha at 1728-1730 Currumbin Creek Rd for $5.5m, or 26.3ha at no. 1706 for $4.5m – though the option to buy both remains.
Mr Mitchell had previously planned to build a health retreat named Gardens of Babylon, according to media reports of a court dispute about the registered trademark in 2018.
Property records show he spent more than $4m buying former banana farms at Currumbin Valley in 2006 and 2007. But marketing agent John Fischer, of PRD Real Estate, said the property was a personal retreat for its owner, who enjoyed his solitude.
Mr Fischer said the owner – he declined to give his identity – had rejected a recent approach by Warner Bros to film at the property.
The acreage is a private parcel of pristine rainforest landscape tucked in the gully of Mount Cougal in Springbrook National Park.
There’s a fully restored original homestead on the larger allotment, along with a large outdoor entertaining area with surround sound system and two “party barns”, or rustic bars with chandeliers to cater for functions of all kinds.
Also on the grounds is a spectacular natural waterfall with swimming hole and picnic setting, several paddocks, suitable for cattle or sheep, and a bore. “The farm house embodies classic charm and has three bedrooms, a marble bathroom with spa, countrystyle kitchen and a spacious and sunny living and dining zone,” the listing states.
“Soak up the serenity or entertain guests, with a pool on hand outdoors for hot summer days.
“Rustic country barns add to the character of this former banana plantation.”
On the smaller lot, there’s a cottage and second selfcontained cabin, surrounded by lawns and diverse flora, with an established nursery of thriving imported and native plants.
Mr Fischer said the nursery includes 350 grass trees and 114 Canary Island date palms, along with many other plants, some with an individual value of up to $6000.
He said the property had attracted renewed interest after the listing was split, with a potential celebrity buyer scheduled to carry out a private inspection next week.
“It didn’t sell when we originally had it marketed as the one property with a $10m price, so we decided to break the property into the two and since then we’ve had heaps of interest.
“I think it will be gone fairly shortly,” he said.
Industry pioneer Lite n’ Easy was founded in 1986 by Mr Mitchell, and was named Best-Rated Healthy Meal Delivery Service by Canstar three years running, the company’s website states.
Lite n’ Easy’s headquarters is a factory in Banyo outside of Brisbane, and employs 1700 people across Australia.