Cate Blanchett’s property empire: From a $20million Hunters Hill palace to her Vanuatu retreat


She’s known as one of Hollywood’s most esteemed A-listers, but Cate Blanchett is also proving herself to be quite the property mogul. 

Since rising to fame in the late 1990s, the Australian actress, 51, and her playwright husband Andrew Upton, 54, have amassed a multi-million property portfolio spanning across the globe. 

Take a look inside Cate and Andrew’s incredible property empire.  

Property empire: Since rising to fame in the late 1990s, the Australian actress, 51, and her playwright husband Andrew Upton, 54, (pictured together) have amassed a multi-million property portfolio spanning across the globe

Coogee, Sydney 

Cate first entered the property market in 1996 when she purchased a one-bedroom beachside apartment in Coogee, Sydney.   

She sold the humble pad five years later for $358,00 at auction, $60,000 above the reserve price.

Humble beginnings: Cate first entered the property market in 1996 when she purchased a one-bedroom beachside apartment in Coogee, Sydney

Humble beginnings: Cate first entered the property market in 1996 when she purchased a one-bedroom beachside apartment in Coogee, Sydney  

Prior to the sale, Cate had already upgraded to a two-bedroom, beachside Coogie apartment. 

She purchased the property in 1998 with her now-husband Andrew Upton for $441,000. 

They sold the apartment in 2011 for $950,000, more than double what they had paid.    

Starting small: She sold the pad five years later for $358,00 at auction, $60,000 above the reserve price

Starting small: She sold the pad five years later for $358,00 at auction, $60,000 above the reserve price

Hunters Hill 

Cate and Andrew purchased a sprawling property in Hunters Hill, Sydney, for $10.2million in 2005.   

The Gothic-style mansion, named Bulwarra, features luxury interiors and open plan living, with a focus on bringing the outdoors indoors.

Splashing out: Cate and Andrew purchased a sprawling property in Hunters Hill, Sydney, for $10.2million in 2005

Splashing out: Cate and Andrew purchased a sprawling property in Hunters Hill, Sydney, for $10.2million in 2005

Lavish: The Gothic-style mansion, named Bulwarra, features luxury interiors and open plan living, with a focus on bringing the outdoors indoors

Lavish: The Gothic-style mansion, named Bulwarra, features luxury interiors and open plan living, with a focus on bringing the outdoors indoors

The creative couple had kept their house on the market for a year-and-a-half after a previous attempt at a sale fell through.

The property had undergone a three-year renovation before changing hands, including the installation of a rooftop pool.

The home also boasts a self-contained apartment under the pool, a riverfront tennis court and a Will Dangar-designed garden.

The couple sold the home in 2017 for a reported $20million, making a tidy $9.8million profit. 

Stunning: The home also boasts a self-contained apartment under the pool, a riverfront tennis court and a Will Dangar-designed garden

Stunning: The home also boasts a self-contained apartment under the pool, a riverfront tennis court and a Will Dangar-designed garden

Vanuatu  

Cate and Andrew purchased a luxury island retreat in Vanuatu in 2011. 

The sizeable property, named Matanara, is nestled in a secluded waterfront location on the island of Efate.

Escape to the tropics! Cate and Andrew purchased a luxury island retreat in Vanuatu in 2011

Escape to the tropics! Cate and Andrew purchased a luxury island retreat in Vanuatu in 2011

Matanara includes six titles of land, each around one hectare, and spans more than 200 metres of pristine beachfront.   

The home features two modern pavilion-style buildings connected by a huge timber deck and is surrounded by lush tropical gardens.

Contained within each building are four large bedrooms, two bathrooms and a stylish lounge, dining and kitchen area.

The couple listed Matanara for sale in August 2019 for $1.4million, but have yet to find a buyer. 

Lush: The sizeable property, named Matanara, is nestled in a secluded waterfront location on the island of Efate

Lush: The sizeable property, named Matanara, is nestled in a secluded waterfront location on the island of Efate

Berowra Creek  

In 2014, the A-list couple purchased a three-storey Berowra Creek holiday home for $1.495million.   

Situated on the edge of the Berowra Valley National Park, the rustic property is only accessible via water. 

Waterside home: In 2014, the A-list couple purchased a three-storey Berowra Creek holiday home for $1.495million

Waterside home: In 2014, the A-list couple purchased a three-storey Berowra Creek holiday home for $1.495million

It boasts a fully-contained one-bedroom apartment on the ground floor, while the upper levels feature three spacious bedrooms, a study, and living and dining areas with river views. 

Those wanting to relax and unwind can make use of the spa, sauna, terraced gardens and pontoon.

Guests can also reside in a detached bunkhouse, located at the rear of the property. 

Cate and Andrew sold this property in December 2019 for around $1.6million, after just three weeks on the market.  

Spacious: It boasts a fully-contained one-bedroom apartment on the ground floor, while the upper levels feature three spacious bedrooms, a study, and living and dining areas with river views

Spacious: It boasts a fully-contained one-bedroom apartment on the ground floor, while the upper levels feature three spacious bedrooms, a study, and living and dining areas with river views 

Back to nature: Guests can also reside in a detached bunkhouse, located at the rear of the property

Back to nature: Guests can also reside in a detached bunkhouse, located at the rear of the property

Elizabeth Bay 

Cate and Andrew spent almost $2million on a waterfront apartment in Elizabeth Bay, Sydney in 2014. 

They reportedly purchased the stunning home as an investment property for their three young sons, Dashiell Josh, 18, Roman Robert, 15, Ignatius Martin 11. 

Investment property: Cate and Andrew spent almost $2million on a waterfront apartment in Elizabeth Bay, Sydney in 2014

Investment property: Cate and Andrew spent almost $2million on a waterfront apartment in Elizabeth Bay, Sydney in 2014

Cate and Andrew have since adopted a daughter, Edith Vivian, five. 

The newly-renovated Art Deco block features a harbour-front garden, panoramic water views, a swimming pool and a jetty. 

At the time of purchase, reports claimed Cate and Andrew had hoped to snap up the adjoining apartments for their children, but were unsuccessful at auction.  

Lucky boys! They reportedly purchased the waterfront home as an investment property for their three young sons, Dashiell Josh, 18, Roman Robert, 15, Ignatius Martin 11

Lucky boys! They reportedly purchased the waterfront home as an investment property for their three young sons, Dashiell Josh, 18, Roman Robert, 15, Ignatius Martin 11

Sydney CBD: 

In 2015, Cate and Andrew splashed out on an $8million five-bedroom apartment in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. 

Located in the historic Astor building, the two-storey apartment offers panoramic views of some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Royal Botanic Garden. 

The first floor boasts open plan living, including a lounge, a generous kitchen and dining area, and two bedrooms.  

What a view! In 2015, Cate and Andrew splashed out on an $8million five-bedroom apartment in the heart of Sydney's CBD

What a view! In 2015, Cate and Andrew splashed out on an $8million five-bedroom apartment in the heart of Sydney’s CBD

Two double-sized bedrooms are on offer on the first floor, one with its own en-suite.

A statement spiral staircase leads upstairs to an impressive master suite, featuring a private bathroom, dressing area and office. 

The top floor has an additional two bedrooms and a large family bathroom with marble interiors.

The home previously belonged to Barry Humphries, better known by his comedic alter ego Dame Edna, who illegally combined three units in the historic building 35 years ago.

Cate and Andrew listed the property for sale in March 2020 with a $12million asking price, but have yet to find a buyer.

Iconic: The home previously belonged to Barry Humphries, better known by his comedic alter ego Dame Edna, who illegally combined three units in the historic building 35 years ago

Iconic: The home previously belonged to Barry Humphries, better known by his comedic alter ego Dame Edna, who illegally combined three units in the historic building 35 years ago

Sussex:  

Cate and Andrew currently live with their four children in an historic English manor in East Sussex named Highwell House.

They purchased the property in 2016 for $6.25million.

Once home to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Doctor Who’s Tom Baker, the a sprawling red brick Victorian mansion boasts five reception rooms, seven bedrooms and a sweeping oak staircase. 

The property sits on 13 acres of lush grounds and offers stunning views of the rolling English countryside.  

Countryside charm: Cate and Andrew currently live with their four children in an historic English manor in East Sussex named Highwell House

Countryside charm: Cate and Andrew currently live with their four children in an historic English manor in East Sussex named Highwell House