A storied sporting career has taken him around the world, but Pat Rafter’s property journey has been equally rich and varied.
Known for his serve-and-volley style and back-to-back US Open wins, the former world No. 1 is a national icon whose success opened doors well beyond the tennis court.
Aussie tennis legend Pat Rafter's sporting career has taken him around the world and back. Picture: Getty
From the scorching heat of the Queensland outback to the golden shores of the Sunshine Coast and the lush Byron hinterland, Rafter’s sense of home has evolved with every chapter of his life.
Warm memories
Growing up in Mount Isa in western Queensland, where his father Jim worked as an accountant for a mining company, Rafter had a cosy upbringing in the small house he shared with eight siblings.
It was in the outback mining town where Rafter’s love for the game took hold, long before he rose to its highest level.
“We had a few bitumen tennis courts just down the road,” he told realestate.com.au.
“Hot is a big memory that comes to mind, but when you’re a kid, nothing is an issue.”
Pat Rafter grew up in Mount Isa in outback Queensland, where he discovered a love for tennis. Picture: Getty
But it was his raucous formative years in the full house before his older siblings went off to boarding school that he cherished.
His fondest memory?
“Probably all boys being in the same room, four of us jumping from bed to bed and wrestling,” he said.
Sunshine Coast beckons
A move to the Sunshine Coast hinterland when Rafter was just eight years old opened up new opportunities.
It was there that Jim Rafter and Pat’s mother, Jocelyn, had met many years ago, and was where the family put down roots and began to build a new legacy, purchasing a 350-acre homestead in Eumundi.
That property was eventually subdivided into many smaller lots over the years as the Sunshine Coast developed, but the family retains the original homestead.
The Rafters moved to Eumundi in the Sunshine Coast hinterland in the late 1970s, well before the area became a housing hotspot. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
During his high school years, Rafter lived in Brisbane with Jocelyn and some of his siblings, taking advantage of the better coaching and training facilities in the big city, but regularly returned to the Sunshine Coast.
Around the world and back
As his tennis career took off, Rafter based himself in Bermuda for most of the 1990s, which allowed easier access to northern hemisphere tournaments, and a more private environment to train and relax.
Pat Rafter based himself overseas for most of his professional career. Picture: Getty
Towards the end of his professional tennis career, which included back-to-back US Open wins in 1997 and 1998 and Wimbledon finals appearances in 2000 and 2001, Rafter began investing in property back in Australia.
“I bought an apartment in Noosa in 2000 and we did it up,” he said. “When my career finished in 2001 I moved back to Noosa and lived there.”
“The apartment was perfect for our life at that stage,” he said. “Close to the beach, nice views over Noosa and close to my family on the Sunshine Coast.”
An apartment in Noosa was one of Pat Rafter's first property investments. Picture: Getty
Rafter said buying his first home felt “responsible” and helped him prepare for life after tennis.
“I was and still am a conservative person when it comes to my investments,” he said.
“Buying property was about securing my future financially, because you are never sure how long a sporting career can last.”
Rafter and his wife Lara moved to Sydney after the arrival of his son Joshua, living in Mosman for a few years before returning to the Sunshine Coast after their daughter India was born.
It was there that they built a deluxe oceanfront home at Sunshine Beach that’s one of the suburb’s most impressive properties.
The Rafters built their dream home on Sunshine Beach, where they lived for 12 years. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
“We found a double block right on the beach and built our dream home,” he said.
“The house was beautiful, we loved it. It was my wife’s dream and she is very good at designing places to suit the environment.”
Byron bound
After 12 years on the Sunshine Coast, the Rafters made the move to the Byron region in northern NSW, purchasing a property in the hinterland.
“We had good friends that were living here and we used to visit a lot,” he said. “We like the laid back nature of this part of Australia.”
“We found a nice plot of land and my wife went about creating a country style home, and she has once again nailed it.”
It’s not just home to the Rafters – it also serves as a crucial habitat for the local koala population, thanks to more than 13,000 trees planted on the property.
The Rafters currently reside in the Byron hinterland after buying a block of land and building a country style home. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
The sprawling block also serves as an outlet for energy, says Rafter, who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty.
“I love doing the work around the property,” he said. “It suits me perfectly.”
Rafter’s time spent travelling the globe and achieving success at the highest level has made him realise the importance of home.
“When you travel, see all parts of the world, the one thing you miss is home, and the best part of travel is coming home,” he said.
“It signifies comfort, stability and a legacy to leave to our children one day.”
Pat Rafter has swapped his racquet for real estate to sell Australia’s no. 1 address in tennis – check out this summer’s hottest listing here.
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