Mystery shopping CEO lists home with converted train carriage

The Aussie founder of a mystery shopping company has listed the quirky property where he ran the business from an original Queensland Railways carriage once part of The Sunlander.

Secret Customer Australia managing director Peter Martin and his wife Zena bought the Moreton Bay parcel for $682,500 fifteen years ago, adding the converted train carriage to the existing timber family home.

“I was running my own business from home and started with one bedroom being converted into an office,” Mr Martin said.

“Converting a shed was an enormous amount of money so I found the train carriage online.

“There’s a lot of history to it – it’s an original staff sleeper carriage, number 1471, from Queensland Railways’ The Sunlander (1952) which now sits at the front of the property with privacy hedging.”

Mr Martin said the carriage had top and bottom bunks which were removed and replaced with custom-made desks, along with a meeting room and five offices.

He has headed up Secret Customer Australia since 2012, a company offering business owners undercover visits by “secret shoppers” who report back on the customer service they received.

The niche industry has enjoyed a resurgence during the cost of living crunch, as a popular side hustle for Aussies looking to boost their income by reporting on their shopping experience at client businesses.

Mystery shoppers received between $20 and $80 per job, according to Secret Customer’s website.

The Martins’ five-bedroom two-bathroom property at 52 Ray Booker Court, Kobble Creek is marketed by Ray White Rural Dayboro Eumundi agent Vicki Pain via private treaty.

Known as ‘Twin Peaks’, the 5ha property is anchored by the “chalet-style” home with spectacular mountain views plus a pool and spacious entertaining decks.

There’s also fenced paddocks for farm animals, a dam, and a four-wheel drive track.

“It’s not often something like this comes to market — there’s certainly some charm and uniqueness to this property,” Ms Pain said.

“It is only 42km from Brisbane’s CBD and creates one of the best lifestyle property markets, attracting retirees looking for space or families with great schools and an excellent local community.”

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The Martins and their two children had relocated to coastal Agnes Water, leaving behind an alpaca and five goats, which could also be included in the property sale.

“The kids were very sad to leave,” Mr Martin said.

“We would often let the animals roam free. Sometimes we would take in chickens and ducks – it kind of became a little animal orphanage.

“This was possible as we added a full 1.8m vermin-proof fence around the entire property, making it very secure for any animal.”

Mr Martin said another young family would be best suited to the “quirky wooden home”.

“While it’s a rural area, the home is so close to the city,” he said.

“We have really enjoyed the views and the kids have spent lots of time outdoors.

“There’s a large gaming deck next to the pool too.”

The property has undergone some renovations including a new kitchen, pool deck and retaining walls.

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