The Melbourne hospitality dynasty, the Matear family, have listed their spectacular mansion at 5 Point King Rd, Sorrento.
Melbourne hospitality dynasty and wealthy socialites the Matear family are selling their extraordinary Sorrento clifftop home.
The Matears rose to prominence as the family behind Hotel Australia on Collins St until the late 1980s, with the late Bruce Matear considered the godfather of Melbourne hospitality in his day.
At one point the family’s empire covered Melbourne restaurants, a slew of cake shops and the Hotel Australia, which was long rated as among the nation’s best.
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In interviews about his time in the hospitality industry, Mr Matear revealed the family’s Dorchester venue was twice hosted a young Prince of Wales – now King Charles of England.
Mr Matear, who died in 2015, was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the tourism industry.
His family’s $19.75m-$21.5m, seven-bedroom mansion at 5 Point King Rd is in one of the most exclusive waterfront areas in Victoria.
Public records show the house is held in the name of Mr Matear and his wife Judith’s beneficiaries, after Ms Matear passed away in 2025.
The mansion at 5 Point King Rd, Sorrento, features a private driveway with security gate access.
RT Edgar’s Warwick Anderson says the house is ideal for multi-generational living.
RT Edgar’s Warwick Anderson said the Matears purchased the 2182sq m block from a friend, a member of the prominent Baillieu family, about three decades ago.
At the time, it was known as ‘The Lavender Block’ thanks to being covered with the flowers.
“Bruce and Judy proceeded to use the architect Wayne Gillespie, who was a cousin, to design the house for them,” Mr Anderson said.
The mansion was designed for two families to live in, as the Matears’ grandchildren were being born around the same time.
Located footsteps to Point King Beach, the residence features lounge and dining rooms showcasing open fireplaces, a landscaped garden with a solar-heated pool, five bathrooms and two terraces with views taking in the bay, Arthurs Seat and Queenscliff.
Watch boats, including the Sorrento and Queenscliff ferry service, sail past.
The late Bruce Matear at the National Gallery of Victoria in 2004.
“The view is to die for, it’s like you’re standing aboard a ship,” Mr Anderson added.
The jetty which can be seen in some of the listing photos does not belong to the property, he noted.
But Mr Anderson said the home came with a rare high water mark title which means its owner possesses the land down to the beach, although it’s not a private beach and members of the public can still access the sand.
Mr Anderson and his colleague Ilze Moran have already received queries from overseas-based buyers about the mansion, mostly Australian ex-pats.
A study and playroom, bunk and storage room, powder room, light hardwood floorboards and four water tanks which service the gardens are among the features.
The property measures 2182sq m and is minutes to Sorrento’s town centre.
Sorrento’s $30m house price record was set by a Point Nepean Rd home in 2022.
Mr Matear’s father, Fred Matear, purchased the Hotel Australia freehold along with his business partners and rebuilt it in 1939.
Expressions of interest close at midday on April 8.
Additional reporting by Nathan Mawby.
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