Erica Packer, the ex-wife of billionaire casino magnate James Packer, debuted her surprise new romance with celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a romantic beach stroll in Byron Bay this week.
Shannon, 48, who is the ex partner of actress Madeleine West, was pictured enjoying a romantic beach date with Erica, 46, and their respective children near his home on the Belongil Beach peninsula.
The couple were spotted kissing and hugging as they casually strolled along the shoreline.
Erica showed off her incredible figure in a black swimsuit and had her shirt wrapped around her waist as she went for a coastal walk with Shannon by her side.
The brunette beauty wore her brunette locks out and relaxed.
![Erica, ex-wife of James Packer, shows affection with new boyfriend celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a beach stroll in Byron Bay 2 Erica Packer , the ex-wife of billionaire casino magnate James Packer, debuted her surprise new romance with celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a romantic beach stroll in Byron Bay this week](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/24/06/79299611-12897973-image-a-2_1703399539243.jpg)
Erica Packer , the ex-wife of billionaire casino magnate James Packer, debuted her surprise new romance with celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a romantic beach stroll in Byron Bay this week
Shannon meanwhile opted for a navy blue t-shirt, black board shorts and a white cap.
Eric and Shannon are reportedly staying at Bennett’s $2million beachfront property on the Belongil Beach peninsula, with his six children Phoenix, Hendrix, Xascha, Xanthe, Xahlia and Margaux.
Erica’s children Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle – who she shares with ex James – are also apparently staying in the sprawling mansion.
![Erica, ex-wife of James Packer, shows affection with new boyfriend celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a beach stroll in Byron Bay 4 Shannon, 48, who is the ex partner of actress Madeleine West, was pictured enjoying a romantic beach date with Erica, 46, and their respective children near his home on the Belongil Beach peninsula](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/24/06/79299377-12897973-image-a-3_1703399998182.jpg)
Shannon, 48, who is the ex partner of actress Madeleine West, was pictured enjoying a romantic beach date with Erica, 46, and their respective children near his home on the Belongil Beach peninsula
![Erica, ex-wife of James Packer, shows affection with new boyfriend celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a beach stroll in Byron Bay 6 The couple were spotted kissing and hugging as they casually strolled along the shoreline](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/24/07/79300101-12897973-image-a-14_1703402451678.jpg)
The couple were spotted kissing and hugging as they casually strolled along the shoreline
![Erica, ex-wife of James Packer, shows affection with new boyfriend celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a beach stroll in Byron Bay 8 Erica showed off her incredible figure in a black swimsuit and had her shirt wrapped around her waist](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/24/06/79299367-12897973-image-a-4_1703400011434.jpg)
Erica showed off her incredible figure in a black swimsuit and had her shirt wrapped around her waist
![Erica, ex-wife of James Packer, shows affection with new boyfriend celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a beach stroll in Byron Bay 10 The brunette beauty wore her brunette locks out and relaxed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/24/06/79299349-12897973-image-a-6_1703400201666.jpg)
The brunette beauty wore her brunette locks out and relaxed
The pair reportedly later dined at trendy eatery The Farm for lunch before heading home.
James and Erica married in 2007 and later split in 2013, but are on good terms as they co-parent their three children.
Erica reportedly received a $100 million divorce payment, and purchased a family home in Los Angeles shortly after the break-up.
![Erica, ex-wife of James Packer, shows affection with new boyfriend celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a beach stroll in Byron Bay 12 The couple are reportedly staying at Bennett's $2million beachfront property on the Belongil Beach peninsula, with his six children Phoenix, Hendrix, Xascha, Xanthe, Xahlia and Margaux](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/24/06/79299385-12897973-image-a-7_1703400233955.jpg)
The couple are reportedly staying at Bennett’s $2million beachfront property on the Belongil Beach peninsula, with his six children Phoenix, Hendrix, Xascha, Xanthe, Xahlia and Margaux
![Erica, ex-wife of James Packer, shows affection with new boyfriend celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a beach stroll in Byron Bay 14 Erica's children Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle - who she shares with ex James - are also apparently staying in the sprawling mansion](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/24/06/79299375-12897973-image-a-8_1703400287989.jpg)
Erica’s children Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle – who she shares with ex James – are also apparently staying in the sprawling mansion
![Erica, ex-wife of James Packer, shows affection with new boyfriend celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a beach stroll in Byron Bay 16 Both families were spotted minging as they enjoyed the sunshine](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/24/06/79299355-12897973-image-a-9_1703400310787.jpg)
Both families were spotted minging as they enjoyed the sunshine
James also bought an $80million Los Angeles mansion so he could be closer to Erica and their children whenever he was in town.
‘James’ main priority at the moment is the wellbeing of his kids,” a family friend told The Daily Telegraph at the time of the divorce.
When Erica visits Sydney, she often lives with her former husband and their children at James’ $72 million Crown penthouse home.
![Erica, ex-wife of James Packer, shows affection with new boyfriend celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a beach stroll in Byron Bay 18 At one stage Erica was seen walking to edge of the ocean and got her feet wet](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/24/06/79299329-12897973-image-a-10_1703400345992.jpg)
At one stage Erica was seen walking to edge of the ocean and got her feet wet
![Erica, ex-wife of James Packer, shows affection with new boyfriend celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a beach stroll in Byron Bay 20 The couple appeared relaxed and made no attempt to hide their new romance](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/24/06/79299345-12897973-image-a-11_1703400387489.jpg)
The couple appeared relaxed and made no attempt to hide their new romance
The ex-couple are so close that they often enjoy family holidays together.
In contrast, Shannon’s relationship with ex partner Madeleine is not as amicable.
Shannon, who rose to fame on MasterChef Australia, split from Madeleine in September 2018 after 13 years of dating.
Madeleine later stated the separation process ‘turned love toxic’.
Two years after their breakup, she left Melbourne and moved to the Byron Bay area to be near their six children, buying her own $4.6million property overlooking Tallow Beach.
In May 2022, Shannon said Madeleine saw their children fortnightly, while they spend the remainder of the time with him.
‘The kids live with me full time and they visit their mother every fortnight for a few days,’ he told the Herald Sun at the time.
![Erica, ex-wife of James Packer, shows affection with new boyfriend celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a beach stroll in Byron Bay 22 Erica married James in 2007, and they later split in 2013. Pictured together in 2005](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/23/21/69359445-12897217-Erica_married_James_in_2007_and_they_later_split_in_2013_Picture-a-4_1703367917488.jpg)
Erica married James in 2007, and they later split in 2013. Pictured together in 2005
Madeleine spent this year embroiled in court battles with Benny Bennett, Shannon’s elderly father, who took out an AVO against her after an alleged clash at the chef’s Byron mansion in 2022.
A magistrate enforced the AVO describing Madeleine as an ‘evasive’ and unreliable witness, and her alleged treatment of her ex father-in-law, 75, as ‘verging on being aggressive’.
But the decision was thrown out when Madeleine appealed to the NSW District Court and won in a ruling by Judge Jonathan Priestley who said ‘the evidence of facts supporting them is light on, and not supported by’ the footage from five different CCTV cameras around Shannon Bennett’s home.
![Erica, ex-wife of James Packer, shows affection with new boyfriend celebrity chef Shannon Bennett during a beach stroll in Byron Bay 24 Madeleine (right) and Shannon split after 13 years and six children together in 2018, with West later stating the separation process 'turned love toxic'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/24/06/78541697-12897973-Madeleine_right_and_Shannon_split_after_13_years_and_six_childre-a-1_1703399494579.jpg)
Madeleine (right) and Shannon split after 13 years and six children together in 2018, with West later stating the separation process ‘turned love toxic’