Terri Irwin and Russell Crowe’s $20m love nest
THE ACTOR MAKES RENOVATIONS TO HIS BELOVED RANCH FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL
Russell Crowe is dramatically overhauling his famous real estate portfolio to make room for a very special person – his girlfriend Terri Irwin. Just months after offloading his $17 million Sydney warehouse, the A-list actor is undergoing massive renovations to his beloved NSW ranch especially for Terri. New Idea’s exclusive aerial photographs of the $20 million estate in Nana Glen show that it’s a hive of activity as he gives the love nest a stunning facelift. The Nice Guys star has added a new pool and a rugby pitch by his picturesque chalet, which overlooks a gum tree-studded valley in the heart of his 130-hectare property in northern NSW. New Idea can also reveal locals believe he’s planning a state-of-theart wildlife sanctuary for the property with Terri, who’s said to split her time between the Sunshine Coast and Nana Glen. The additions to Russell’s ranch – which has been described as his ‘spiritual home’ – come as the 53-year-old finally begins to split the rest of his property portfolio, which he built with ex-wife Danielle Spencer, as their divorce is finalised.
He recently listed his stunning apartment on Sydney’s Finger Wharf for $30 million – but when the best offer fell $5 million short of the asking price, he instead sold off his Darlinghurst warehouse, which houses celebrity fitness favourite 98 Riley St Gym.
‘Russell’s putting his past behind him and is ready to look to the future,’ a source says.
‘He’s known Terri for a long time and has given Nana Glen a real facelift with her in mind.’
The love nest news comes just days after Russ retweeted a message calling Terri ‘incredible’, as he slowly makes moves to take their relationship public.
The actor, who also owns NRL club South Sydney Rabbitohs, has added a competition-sized football and cricket pitch, along with a lap pool. Sons Charles and Tennyson aren’t forgotten, with a large tree house and trampoline.
Protective locals remain tight-lipped about whether 52-year-old Terri – who was married to Crocodile Hunter
Steve Irwin until his death in 2006 – has been seen in the tiny town just outside Coffs Harbour.
‘Russell keeps to himself, and we help him leave it that way. He built our local pool for $200,000, so helping him maintain his privacy is our way of giving back,’ said one local business owner, who declined to be named.
‘You don’t even know when he’s in town anyway. His parents run the property while he’s away and he’s free to sneak in and out.’
An insider close to Terri adds: ‘It’s almost a five-hour drive from Australia Zoo to Nana Glen, but Terri doesn’t mind – she’s used to driving long distances because most of her wildlife activities are in really remote places.’
New Idea understands the couple hide away when Terri’s in town, but have once surfaced to sample burgers at trendy eatery Carney and Earls.
‘Russell was in here last week. He has cattle on his property and was talking about the possibility of using his grass-fed beef for our burgers,’ says manager Lara Cree, 23.
Burger-loving Russell heaped
praise on the restaurant via Twitter, saying: ‘Amazing little Coffs Harbour secret #2 ... @Carneyandearls old school burger hangout, back alley, good tunes, best burger in town easy.’
Terri immediately ‘liked’ the tweet, suggesting she is also a fan.
‘Russell did say he’ll come back, so maybe we’ll have Terri in here too! That’s exciting,’ Lara tells New Idea.
As Russell and Terri spend more time together, it’s believed he is toying with the idea of adding a wildlife conservation element to the property.
‘Russ is fascinated with Australia Zoo’s wildlife hospital,’ an insider says. ‘He has plenty of room at Nana Glen and is convincing Terri to expand operations into NSW.’
The pair have been friends for years, with locals confirming to New Idea that Terri and Steve were guests at Russell’s 2003 wedding to Danielle Spencer, which was held at the Nana Glen estate.
‘Russell thinks the world of Steve. They were good mates. He bonded with Terri over their loss, and things grew from there,’ an insider says.
‘He couldn’t think of a better way to honour Steve’s memory than to contribute to the wildlife crusade that he began – and take care of Terri for him.’ NI
‘Russell is ready to look to the future. And he’s hoping that future is with Terri’