When tech entrepreneur Brad Illich turns on the lights at his family resort on Tamborine Mountain, it sends an ethereal glow across the night sky. At first, neighbours thought they were seeing the aurora australis.  

It may not be a natural phenomenon, but the property at 31-45 Curtis Road could certainly be described as out of this world.  

The newly completed 3.5-acre estate – named Villa Tamborine – blends hinterland beauty and the polish of a Queenstown lodge with the unbridled fun of a family holiday park. For Brad, whose family owns Ashmore Palms Holiday Village and Brisbane Holiday Village, it was a chance to recreate the happiest parts of his childhood. 

“What I remember most about spending time at the holiday parks as a kid was the really nice gardens and having lots of fun things for kids to do,” he says. 

“I didn’t have the capacity to build an actual holiday park, so this is my more private, high-end, modern-day version of one that not just children but adults can enjoy.” 

Outdoors is where most of the fun takes place at Villa Tamborine, with residents able to move between multiple entertainment and relaxation zones.  

The centerpiece is a private waterpark with slides, a tipping bucket, and super-sized water cannons. It’s heated, so can be used well beyond the summer. 

Beside it sits a heated pool, an outdoor Jacuzzi and a fire pit, all serviced by a luxury pool house with a kitchenette, bathroom, lounge, fireplace and sauna. 

If you don’t fancy getting wet, a separate recreation area offers a nine-hole putting green, a basketball half-court, in-ground trampoline and a go-kart circuit with race lights and a countdown timer. Entertain under the adjoining arbor that gives spectators, and tired drivers, somewhere to rest. 

With so much to grab attention outside, it would almost be easy to overlook the house sitting unassumingly at the top of the maple tree-lined driveway. Yet this architect-designed home is unequivocally impressive. 

Locally inspired materials such as cedarwood and hand-laid river stone were used in the construction to achieve a result that sits so comfortably in the landscape that it feels as if it has always been there. 

An eight-year labour of love, Brad says the brief was for high luxury, low-maintenance, with a lot of thought going into the floor plan and how families would actually interact within the space. 

A luxury master suite with walk-in robe and ensuite connects to an open-plan kitchen and living spaces via a discreet sliding door. An oversized stone kitchen bench and on-trend sunken lounge are the anchors for these spaces.

“By dropping the lounge down, it gives you an unobstructed view across the entire estate,” Brad says. “It’s such a nice space to be in. We had Christmas here last year with the tree in the corner and the olive tree lit up as a backdrop. It just looked magical.” 

An additional five bedrooms are positioned in a separate, yet still connected, wing. It is perfect for children or guests and has its own sunken lounge and fireplace, alongside other amenities such as the laundry, private entrance and foyer.  

Floor-to ceiling glazing is central to the home’s design, ensuring natural light and views to pretty atrium spaces or the wider landscape. Doors open the length of the home to create a true sense of indoor-outdoor living. 

As you would expect from the founder of an international software company and current chief executive of children’s banking app Bank’d, the integration of technology is extensive. 

“The property is packed with the latest high-end tech, inside the house and out, from electric blinds in every room to built-in speakers across the estate, super-fast wi-fi, solar power, security and feature lighting,” Brad says. 

“It’s all been purposefully hidden and is easy to use, so anyone can just walk in and know how it all works. I wanted to ensure the house was future-proofed for owners for years to come.” 

Aside from the manufactured features of Villa Tamborine, natural elements are also in abundance.  

Cedar Creek, named after the red trees native to the mountain, runs along the bottom of the property and makes a quiet spot to while away an afternoon.  

Below ground, a natural spring supplies water to the entire estate and feeds three 22,000-litre underground tanks. Together with an extensive solar system and high-tech water filtration system, the property has a high degree of self-sufficiency. 

Mature maple trees line the driveway, and natural bushland and pine hedging on every side screens the estate from neighbours. 

The estate is walking distance to conveniences, including Gallery Walk with its shops, cafés and restaurants, art galleries and specialist boutiques. Rainforest walks, wineries and other attractions are close by, while the mountain hosts some of the best ranked schools on the Gold Coast. 

“Once you close the gate to the road, it’s like being in your own world,” Brad says. “It is super private. Everything you need and could possibly want is here, but you are still only a 50-minute drive from the coast. 

“Since the pandemic, a lot of wealthy people have moved into the area, which is helping to change the perception that you have to sacrifice certain things to live on the mountain. 

“The reality is you don’t have to sacrifice anything at all.”  

According to Kollosche listing agent Sam Guo, the property is truly unique and has unlimited potential.  

“It is the perfect property for a large family, with plenty of wide open spaces and of course fun things to do,” Sam, says.  

“It is being offered fully turnkey, so a new owner can have their family moved in and settled well in time for Christmas. What a fantastic present that would be. 

“Yet the potential here goes even beyond that. A buyer could use it as an investment, renting it out for corporate and family events, or it could make a great location shoot. 

“The quality of the property is exceptional and maintenance is kept to a minimum, because of the way it has been built and appointed, with the latest tech allowing you to operate everything remotely.  

“It is a very special property which is destined to set a new price benchmark for the mountain.” 

Villa Tamborine at 31-45 Curtis Road, Tamborine Mountain, is open to expressions of interest through Kollosche sales agent Sam Guo, closing on Friday, 6 November at 5pm.