$10.6m prize on the market

ABrisbane delivery driver who became an instant multimillionaire after winning the ultimate beachfront prize home has listed the showstopping Currumbin property. The 37-year-old winner of the October 2022 RSL Art Union prize draw, then valued at $10.6m, kept up his daily route delivering meals throughout southeast Qld up until last week.

But the reality of his new life on easy street could soon kick in, with the luxury four-bedroom, twobathroom property at 14A Darwalla Ave going under the hammer on March 4.

It is marketed by Ed Cherry, of Harcourts Coastal.

Mr Cherry said the home, named ‘Play On’, was one of only 10 absolute beachfront homes in the coveted southern Gold Coast suburb.

“Darwalla Ave is the most exclusive street in Currumbin — it’s super rare for anything to come up for sale there,” he said.

“At a time when the hardest thing now is to acquire a builder, this is a sophisticated newly built luxury home with incredible ocean views from Surfers Paradise to Rainbow Bay which will never be built out.”

Built by Makin Constructions and designed by Habitat Studio Architects on a 535sq m lot, the three-storey contemporary home has floor-toceiling glass and wide balconies allowing views to take centre stage.

Features include custom cabinetry, timber floors and exposed beams, plus a furniture package worth $320,000 included.

On the ground floor, the elegant kitchen and open-plan living and dining areas lead onto landscaped lawns, the pool and covered al fresco space.

Three bedrooms, a bathroom and second living space plus loft-style office are on the second floor, while the top level hosts the retreat-style master bedroom with walk-in robe, ensuite and a private terrace.

The lucky owner — RSL Art Union has a policy of not releasing winners’ names — said he just sold his delivery business, which had brought in annual earnings of just under $200,000.

While he’s relished living by the ocean, the single man admits it’s taken some time to adjust to his new life of luxury since the win, with a $1000 golf club his biggest splurge so far.

“My life has definitely changed, but it’s taken a little bit for me to get in tune with the new lifestyle and it still feels like a dream.

“I was pretty attached to my business so I kept up with the usual delivery rounds and only recently finished work. I ended up selling the business to one of my best mates.”

He plans to buy a house in the Moreton Bay region to be closer to family and friends based north of Brisbane, and perhaps travel around Australia in a couple of years.

The owner, whose grandfather served in World War 2, was a longtime supporter of the RSL.

A luxury home at 16 Darwalla Ave which changed hands for $11.3m in May 2021 holds the record for the southern Gold Coast’s most expensive sale.

Retired accountant Noel Holmes purchased the 2018-built house on a 1283sq m lot in an off-market deal handled by Mr Cherry, while another house on the same street of just seven blocks sold for $10m just a month prior.