Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin and his wife Jesinta have officially traded in their glamorous Gold Coast mansion for the country as they prepare to welcome their third child.
The retired AFL superstar and his model-turned-businesswoman wife have snapped up a $4.6 million estate in Guanaba, a semi-rural pocket of the Gold Coast Hinterland.
Set on 3.2 hectares on the banks of the Coomera River, the property, known as Avonleigh Park, was quietly sold before its scheduled July auction, according to The Sunday Telegraph.
The estate attracted huge interest online with more than 21,000 views, before Kollosche agents Kara Christensen and Bella Sorenson sealed the deal after 15 private inspections and just 20 days on the market.
Perched in an elevated position, the main residence is a contemporary farmhouse that looks out across manicured lawns, dams and established gardens.
A riverside gazebo sits by the water, adding to the country retreat feel.
Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin and wife Jesinta have officially traded in their glamorous Gold Coast mega-mansion for a quieter life in the Hinterland as they prepare to welcome their third child
Inside, the home has been designed for family living, with multiple kitchens and dining areas, a dedicated home office and generous open-plan spaces that spill out to a large entertainer’s deck.
The deck leads to an alfresco pavilion and an infinity-edge pool overlooking the grounds, giving the couple resort-style luxury without the suburban bustle they have been so keen to escape.
In a nod to their ‘hobby farm’ dream, the property also comes with full equestrian facilities, including stables and a barn, as well as a large chicken coop and garden beds ready for home-grown fruit and vegetables.
There are also riparian pumping rights from the river, a bonus for anyone serious about farming or landscaping.
The move marks a significant downsize from their Reedy Creek mansion, Villa Casa, which the couple finally offloaded late last year after several attempts to sell.
The Mediterranean-inspired property, designed by Reece Keil Design, featured Spanish-style arches, soaring windows, lime-rendered walls, timber floors, a huge resort-style pool, an entertainer’s pavilion and a separate two-bedroom guest house.
The Franklins bought Villa Casa in 2022 for $8.75 million before listing it with price hopes around $10.9 million.
It was ultimately snapped up by a family from Victoria who were keen to secure acreage close to top schools in the Hinterland.
The retired AFL superstar and his model-turned-businesswoman wife have snapped up a $4.6 million estate in Guanaba, a semi-rural pocket of the Gold Coast Hinterland
Set on 3.2 hectares on the banks of the Coomera River, the property, known as Avonleigh Park, settled after being quietly sold before its scheduled auction
Speaking about the decision to leave city life behind, Buddy, 38, has been open about wanting a slower pace after hanging up his boots in 2023.
‘I absolutely loved my time living in Sydney,’ he recently told Stellar Magazine, reflecting on his years with the Swans.
But he admitted family life and constant attention finally pushed them to make a change, adding that once they had children, the city began to feel too intense and he was over ‘always looking over your shoulder for paparazzi’.
Jesinta has also echoed these sentiments, explaining that they now crave privacy and space for their growing brood more than red carpets and convenience.
‘We don’t want to worry about neighbours,’ she said, revealing their dream of a property where the kids can roam freely and they can focus on a more grounded lifestyle.
The couple, who share daughter Tallulah, five, and son Rocky, four, are expecting their third child this year and have long spoken about wanting to raise their family on the land.
Guanaba, around 32km northwest of Reedy Creek on the way to Tamborine Mountain, is a world away from the hustle of Sydney and even the glitzy Gold Coast beachfront where the couple once lived.
