Australia’s billionaire mining magnates’ property empires

With some of the deepest pockets in the country, it is no wonder Australia’s richest mining moguls have some of the nation’s most expansive property portfolios.

Their real estate investments are scattered across the country, from luxury waterfront estates in Perth to entire streets on the Gold Coast.

Here is a breakdown of the homes of the top dogs in Australia’s mining industry.

Gina Rinehart

Australia’s richest person has some extraordinary estates around the country.

Topping 2025’s Richest 250, Gina Rinehart’s net worth is listed at $46.34b.

Ms Rinehart has a number of known holdings: her family estate in Perth, a riverfront mansion in Brisbane and beachside lots in Noosa. She also owns millions of hectares of farmland.

She inherited her Perth estate from her father Lang Hancock, who bought the original home in the 1950s.

The home sits on the banks of the Swan River in the prestigious tree-lined suburb of Dalkeith in Perth’s west.

Keen to expand her riverfront empire, Ms Rinehart, through various holding companies, accumulated three adjoining homes in a cluster during the 1990s.

She also owns an adjoining empty block, which was listed for sale at $9m in 2015.

Ms Rinehart purchased another waterfront estate on the Brisbane River in 2014 for a total sum of $18.5m.

As well as the historic home in Brisbane’s Hawthorne, the purchase included the neighbouring block, creating a 4545 sqm estate.

MORE: NRL twist gives losing teams huge boost

Ms Rinehart also went on a $76m spending spree in 2022, snapping up four homes in the suburb of Sunshine Beach in Noosa.

Even after offloading tracts of land in years gone by, the richlister still reportedly owns almost 1.5m hectares in Queensland, as well as a 400,000ha property in Fitzroy Crossing and 384,451 hectares in the Pilbara in WA.

According to Hancock Prospecting’s website, Rinehart also owns tens-of-thousands of hectares in NSW and several hundred hectares in Victoria.

MORE: Aussies warned: Banks’ 4000 job cut threat

Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest

Perth-born iron ore baron Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest’s net worth is reported to be $15.01b, per The Australian’s Rich 250.

The Fortescue Metals chairman’s net worth took a major hit following his 2023 divorce with ex-wife Nicola.

Mr Forrest is understood to own three properties in Cottesloe — one of Perth’s premium beachside suburbs — all of which are over 100 years old.

A heritage-listed home known as Pine Lodge — built in 1896 — is understood to be the billionaire’s primary residence.

He purchased nearby mansion Tukurua for $16m in 2015, marking the first time in 119 years the home had traded.

Mr Forrest then added a 125-year-old residence Le Fanu House to his Cottesloe collection in 2022.

In 2018 he expanded to the east coast, snapping up a waterfront mansion in Sydney’s Point Piper for over $16m.

The house has four bedrooms and a private jetty, boatshed and harbourside swimming pool.

Mr Forrest has also made several moves into the tourism and hospitality industries.

MORE: Sporting giants’ $18m play

He purchased destination stay Cape Lodge in WA’s South West for $10m in 2020.

The purchase included a 22-room hotel on a 40-acre block that features an eight-acre private winery in the state’s most famed wine region, Margaret River.

It was also revealed in 2021 that Mr Forrest was the purchaser of a $42m leasehold on Lizard Island, off the coast of Northern Queensland.

He also reportedly purchased Olivia Newton-John’s former wellness retreat, Gaia, for $30m in 2019.

Like Ms Rinehart, he also owns millions of hectares of farmland — reportedly almost two million — including the 634,000ha Balfour Downs acquired in February 2022.

MORE: $200m unit block to be built in Mosman

Clive Palmer

Before he became a politician, Clive Palmer made his riches as the owner of mining company Mineralogy.

According to The Australian’s Rich 250, Palmer has a net worth of $22.32b, which he has used to acquire a considerable property collection, particularly in his beloved Queensland.

Palmer has invested over $70m in Mermaid Beach’s prized oceanfront, including a $26m vacant Hedges Ave parcel and a $16.95m block, adding to a $12m Hamptons-style mansion secured in 2018.

On the Gold Coast’s Sovereign Islands, his spend totals over $40m for at least nine consecutive blocks, prominently featuring the ‘Titanium House’ purchased for $20m in 2021.

In Brisbane’s Fig Tree Pocket, Palmer has amassed a $17.5m riverfront compound through three adjoining properties, including a $7.5m mansion acquired in 2018 and two subsequent lots bought for $5m each in 2020 and 2021.

MORE: New details emerge of Hulk’s sad fortune

Palmer also made the sentimental purchase of his childhood home in Williamstown, Victoria, for $4.5m in late 2023.

Totalling the sales figures known to the public, Mr Palmer has spent over $150m on property.

MORE: Why home insurance costs are skyrocketing

Chris Ellison

Mineral Resources founder Chris Ellison is a mining millionaire that used to be multi-billionaire.

His net worth took a gigantic hit in March this year, reportedly dropping from $2.1b to $871m after a plummet in MinRes’ share price.

Mr Ellison purchased what remains WA’s most expensive home for $57.5m back in 2009.

MORE: Shock $18m move rocks iconic Sydney pub

His massive riverside property in Mosman Park is on a street considered one of the most desirable in Perth’s most affluent suburbs.

Mr Ellison then spent another $11.6m buying another two adjacent houses in Mosman Park, bringing their total land holding to 9159 sqm and their total outlay to just below $70m.

The post Australia’s billionaire mining magnates’ property empires appeared first on realestate.com.au.