RAINFOREST RETREAT JUST 10 MINUTES FROM BEACH
AS a busy businessman, Murray d’Almeida needs a quiet place to sit back and relax in his spare time.
His acreage estate in a secluded pocket of Currumbin Valley has been the perfect escape.
For about 30 years the founder of Retail Food Group Australia and veteran Gold Coast businessman has called the 1.02ha property his slice of paradise.
He and wife Cath have raised four children in the seven-bedroom, three-bathroom rainforest retreat.
“The house just about blends in naturally with the rainforest environment with very large decks that merge into the canopy,” he said.
It is surrounded by trees with 200m of creek frontage, making it feel a world away from civilisation.
Mr d’Almeida said one of the best parts about it was that it was private yet the beach was a 10-minute drive away.
“We have the best of both worlds,” he said.
Among its standout features are a media room, two fireplaces, a wine cellar, multiple decks around the house and an infinity edge pool overlooking the creek.
Parts of the picturesque property were used in scenes for a 2013 film, My Mistress, starring French actress Emmanuelle Beart.
“It was fascinating,” Mr d’Almeida said. “(Emmanuelle) was a delightful person.”
While Mr d’Almeida loves the property, he has decided to sell it.
“I will miss it beyond comprehension, however seven bedrooms and a fivecar garage ... are far too much,” he said.
“I will try to find something similar but a fraction of the size. I’d like to get a couple of acres further up the valley – the valley is god’s country.”
McGrath Palm Beach agent Richard Snowden will take the property to auction on February 16.