From AFL to acreage: Buddy and Jesinta Franklin swap mega mansion for rural farmhouse

Star couple Lance "Buddy" Franklin and Jesinta Franklin are set to fulfil their dream of raising their children on acreage after snapping up a luxury farmhouse in the Gold Coast hinterland.

On the eve of the birth of their third child, the retired AFL player Franklin, 38, and his model wife last week settled on Avonleigh Park, a 7.9-acre riverfront estate in Guanaba.

The buy marks a new beginning for the couple who dropped a suburb-record $4.6 million to purchase the property in July from Kollosche agents Kara Christensen and Bella Sorenson ahead of auction.

"It was a privilege to assist throughout the journey and set a new benchmark for the area," Ms Christensen said.

"A very special property now begins its next chapter with a new family."

Described as a "supremely private and peaceful 7.9 acre paradise on the banks of the Coomera River", the modern farmhouse comprises five bedrooms and three bathrooms across two levels.

In September, Jesinta shared news of their latest property buy and her excitement about realising their dream of living on acreage.

"A year full of surprises and big changes for our little family," she wrote.

"By the end of this year, we'll not only be welcoming another beautiful baby, but also moving onto our dream piece of land.

"After almost two years of searching, we finally found our special place.

"We can't wait to fill it with horses, chickens, finally have my dream veggie garden and most importantly - the simple joys of raising our growing family on acreage."

Accessed via a long, tree-lined driveway, the house is surrounded by landscaped gardens, including towering pines, palms and magnolias.

Features include limestone finishes and a vast deck that wraps around the entire home.

The centrepiece is the open-plan living, dining and kitchen, which has Carrara marble benchtops and a marble splashback, a walk-in pantry and a servery window opening to the deck.

The space opens out to a covered patio that leads to the infinity-edge swimming pool and surrounding decks.

Three upstairs bedrooms include a master suite with a walk-in robe, a spa ensuite and views across the estate and to the mountains.

The main bathroom features full-height tiling and the ground floor has an additional powder room.

The house is designed for dual living, with a two-bedroom, one-bathroom self-contained space with a kitchen and dining area, a lounge room, a laundry and alfresco decking.

Outdoor features a poolside entertaining pavilion with a built-in day bed.

There is also a riverside gazebo and equine amenities including a fully insulated barn with three stables, a wash and feed room, with another two stables adjoining the shed.

Other property features include three dams, a veggie patch and a large chicken coop and run.

Kicking goals in property

Buddy and Jesinta's latest property purchase follows the recent sale of their high-end Mediterranean-style Gold Coast mansion, Villa Casa, which they bought in 2023 for $8.75 million.

Built into a hill on a 4497-square-metre block in Reedy Creek, the seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom home was designed by architect Reece Keil.

The property won the Master Builder Gold Coast House of the Year award in 2022.

In November, Whitefox Real Estate listing agents Dijana Speak and Nic Whitehead announced the lavish residence had sold to a family from Victoria for an undisclosed price.

The couple, who share two young children Tallulah and Rocky, moved from Sydney to the Gold Coast in 2023.

Buddy Franklin retired from playing AFL after stints with Hawthorn Football Club from 2005 to 2013 and the Sydney Swans from 2014 to 2023.

Gold Coast-born model Jesinta (née Campbell) was crowned Miss Universe Australia in 2010 and represented Australia at Miss Universe, placing second runner-up.

The couple wed in 2016 and welcomed their first child in February 2020.