The hippies - and stars - of Byron Bay will need to dig deep to secure the latest piece of beachside real estate to hit the market given a more than $18.5 million asking price on the holiday home of Salmat co-founder Peter Mattick and his wife Pam.
The trophy listing on Wategos Beach comes in the middle of Byron Bay's "peak selling season" when well-heeled buyers from Sydney and Melbourne are in town to inspect local offerings and half of Hollywood is getting in touch with nature.
Among those making tabloid headlines this summer as they wandered the beaches and streets of Byron Bay were Matt Damon, Naomi Watts, Chris Hemsworth, and Liam Hemsworth with his girlfriend Miley Cyrus.
Set on beachfront Marine Parade and spread over two levels with a central swimming pool and panoramic ocean views, the home is expected to smash the $15.68 million record set in 2006 by the house at the other end of the street, bought by property developer Danny Goldberg and his wife, model Annalise Braakensiek.
Mr Mattick bought the property in 2004 for $3.9 million before commissioning architect Tim Moon to turn it into his dream holiday home.
Mr Mattick, who is chairman of the ASX-listed direct marketing company he founded with his late best friend Phil Salter, is based in Birchgrove where he and his wife Pam own a double waterfront property.
The Matticks retain some interests in Byron Bay but are selling their holiday home because it has been left increasingly empty in recent years as the demands of family leave them less time to holiday on the North Coast.
Listing agent Liam Annesley, of LJ Hooker Byron Bay, said this summer's peak selling season has seen a spate of top-end sales, including the recent $2.7 million sale of the Wategos Beach holiday home of wealthy property developer Phillip Wolanski.
Domain data shows Byron Bay's median values have risen 11.5 per cent in the past 12 months.
