Andrew Twiggy Forrest’s Real Estate Empire Of Mansions, Waterfronts & Farms

• Mining magnate Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest has built a diverse property empire spanning luxury mansions, pastoral stations, and hospitality ventures.
• His portfolio features heritage properties in premium WA suburbs and strategic farm acquisitions.
• Worth $22 billion USD, Forrest’s real estate reflects both passion and investment strategy.

For the world’s ultra-wealthy, collecting trophy assets isn’t just a hobby — it’s practically an obligation. Like Australia’s mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s commanding real estate empire, Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest, whose fortune generates an astounding $1.5 million per hour, has transformed property acquisition from mere wealth display into a masterclass in strategic diversification and heritage preservation.

The founder of Fortescue Metals Group and one of Australia’s most prolific billionaires, Forrest earned the nickname ‘Twiggy’ early in life as a playful nod to his then-slim build. While his mining interests laid the foundation for his estimated $22 billion USD fortune, his real estate portfolio tells an equally compelling story of ambition, preservation, and strategic expansion. Many of the prices of these properties remain undisclosed. Those that we can find total a tasty $132 million, but we reckon it’s likely in excess of $250 million when you factor in those undisclosed properties.

Pine Lodge, Cottesloe

• Price: Undisclosed
• Date of Purchase: 2000
• Location: 42 John Street, Cottesloe, Western Australia

Pine Lodge serves as the primary residence of the Forrest family, embodying the rich architectural heritage of Western Australia. Even though this heritage-listed home offers limited ocean views, except for its unique belvedere, it epitomizes the craftsmanship of the late 19th century. This brick, single-storey house was built in 1896.

Reports indicate that Forrest has $2.5 million renovation plans for the property, which include modern amenities such as a carport with overhead bedroom accommodation, a swimming pool, a media room, a wine cellar, and state-of-the-art gym facilities — all designed to enhance, not detract from, the property’s historical integrity

Tukurua Mansion, Cottesloe

• Price: $16 million
• Date of Purchase: December 2015
• Size: 5,000 square meters
• Location: Cottesloe, Western Australia

In December 2015, Forrest expanded his property collection with a purchase of an iconic Tukurua Mansion mansion in Cottesloe for $16 million. This 19th-century, limestone mansion boasts 21 rooms while sitting on a 5,000-square-meter plot of beach frontage with clear ocean views all around.

Tukurua underwent a restoration and development process in 2019 to maintain its cultural essence with added modern facilities. The billionaire is also planning some heavy developments in the near future, such as interconnected pavilion-style buildings and an infinity swimming pool overlooking the ocean.

Point Piper Waterfront, Sydney

• Price: $16 million
• Size: 682 square meters
• Date of Purchase: 2018
• Location: Sydney

Adding a fascinating dimension to Forrest’s portfolio, this modernist waterfront residence in Sydney’s ultra-exclusive Point Piper, purchased on the recommendation of his then-wife, Nicola, and daughter, Sophia, was described by agents as “very Beverly Hills — really cool and funky.”

Commanding spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and the iconic Harbour Bridge, this three-level residence boasts seamless integration of luxury and functionality. The main living area spans the full width of the property, opening onto a large, partially covered external deck with prime harbour scenery. A family room, master bedroom, and two other rooms are housed on the middle level, while the bottom contains a three-car garage, media room, and a gym overlooking the swimming pool.

The property’s sophisticated design is enhanced by premium materials throughout, featuring extensive timber flooring and sandblasted limestone tiles in the stairs, bathrooms, external feature walls, decks, and paving.

Le Fanu House, Cottesloe

• Price: Unknown
• Date of Purchase: 2022
• Size:  1492 square meters
• Location: Cottesloe, Western Australia

Le Fanu House represents perhaps Forrest’s most ambitious heritage preservation project to date. This 125-year-old residence, exemplifying Federation Queen Anne architectural style, carries a rich history that includes its 1945 acquisition by the Anglican Church and subsequent naming after Archbishop Henry Frewen Le Fanu.

Set on an oceanside 1,492-square-metre block with an impressive 36 metres of ocean frontage, Le Fanu was originally built as a single-storey holiday cottage comprising five rooms for Henry Diggins Holmes, the manager of the Western Australian Bank. Forrest’s ownership extends beyond the main property to include two adjacent lots along Marine Parade, suggesting potential future development.

Cape Lodge

• Price: $10 million
• Size: 40 acres
• Date of Purchase: 2020
• Location: Margaret River

Cape Lodge was purchased for $10 million in 2020. Along with the purchase came a 22-room hotel, which was part of 40 acres, that features an 8-acre private winery, outputting Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz. As an attractive tourist spot, this property lies close to one of the prime places known amongst the wine-generating areas near Margaret River.

Gaia Retreat & Spa

• Price: $30 million
• Size: Not specified
• Date of Purchase: 2021
• Location: Byron Bay

In 2021, Forest’s private investment group Tattarang bought the iconic Gaia Retreat & Spa for approximately A$30 million. This luxury wellness retreat, partly once owned by Olivia Newton-John, nestles among the lush hinterland near Byron Bay. With a setting of beautiful gardens against pristine natural beauty, Gaia Retreat & Spa is one of the best-known retreats for wellness in Australia.

Minderoo Station, WA

• Price: Unknown (Repurchased)
• Size: 10,000 square kilometers
• Date of Purchase: 2009
• Location: Pilbara region, Western Australia

Besides luxury homes, Forrest’s agricultural assets are one of the most substantial components of his real estate portfolio. At the centre of this agricultural vision lies the Minderoo Station in Western Australia’s Pilbara region — a property deeply intertwined with the Forrest family legacy.

Minderoo Station, a sprawling 10,000-square-kilometer property and original Forrest family holding, became a tale of loss and redemption when drought and mounting debt forced Forrest’s father to sell it in 1998. However, in 2009, Forrest made an emotional return to his roots, buying the property back and starting an ambitious agricultural expansion.

After acquiring Minderoo, Forrest continued to ensure the gradual development of his pastoral empire. In 2014, he purchased the adjoining Nanutarra and Uaroo Stations, expanding his Pilbara territory. In August 2015, his agricultural footprint expanded further as he purchased Brick House Station and Minilya Stations for $10 million.

Moora Region, Hill River & New Norcia Farms

• Price: >$50 million (combined)
• Size: 17,500 hectares
• Date of Purchase: 2018-2021
• Location: Western Australia

The farm expansion continues. Forrest purchased Moora Region Farms in 2018 for approximately $10 million, a strategic purchase comprising four properties covering 4,500 hectares. Under his company Harvest Road, these farms were earmarked to be developed to become a cutting-edge cattle facility that will focus on sheep grazing and cattle fattening operations.

In October 2020, Forrest picked up two premium grazing properties in the Hill River region, adding about 5,100 hectares to his portfolio. Late in 2021, Forrest’s agricultural arm Harvest Road purchased the historic New Norcia Farm for $40 million. This 7,975-hectare property lies 130 kilometres north of Perth.

Balfour Downs

• Price: Unknown
• Size: 634,000 hectares
• Date of Purchase: February 2022
• Location: Western Australia

Forrest’s empire reached new heights in February 2022, with the acquisition of Balfour Downs, a 634,000-hectare property that expanded his agricultural holdings to nearly 2 million hectares and solidified his status as one of Australia’s largest landholders.

Philanthropy through Property

What really sets Forrest’s property empire apart, however, is not its scale or diversification but how it links into his philanthropic mission through the Minderoo Foundation. As signatories of the Giving Pledge since 2013, Andrew Forrest has pledged to dedicate the majority of their wealth — including proceeds from their property investments to charitable causes ranging from education, Indigenous welfare, and medical research to environmental conservation.

From heritage mansions in Cottesloe to vast pastoral stations in the Pilbara, Andrew Forrest’s property portfolio reflects a sophisticated approach to wealth management that goes much deeper than mere acquisition.