A neglected timber cabin tucked inside a rainforest estate on Queensland’s Gold Coast has become a source of rental income after its owners restored the historic structure into a two-bedroom holiday retreat.
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owners → tuck → retreat
The property, located in Bonogin, is now heading to auction, with its unusual combination of contemporary architecture, equestrian facilities and a heritage cottage drawing attention in the local property market.
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combination → locate → market
The story was reported by The Gold Coast Bulletin, with property details also listed by realestate (dot) com (dot) au and other Australian property portals.
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details → report → au
Marlon Sayer and Romolo Romeo purchased the 3.04-hectare estate at 14 Fowler Court in 2016 for A$1.6 million.
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Sayer → purchase → million
While the main residence was designed by architect Michael Witty and built in 2007, the property also contained a much older structure that had fallen into disrepair.
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that → design → disrepair
A forgotten cabin with a century of history
The timber cabin dates to 1932 and is associated with the region’s early timber-cutting history.
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cabin → date → history
Research by the owners linked it to Frederick Fowler, a pioneering timber hauler whose name was later given to the street.
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name → link → street
When the couple first inspected the property, the cabin was in poor condition, with visible mould and signs of neglect.
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cabin → inspect → neglect
Rather than demolish it, they decided to restore the building and preserve its distinctive character.
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they → demolish → character
From dilapidated shack to rainforest retreat
The renovation retained several original features, including the cedar exterior, slate flooring and A-frame roof.
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renovation → retain → exterior
Exposed beams and the cottage’s rustic character were also preserved, while substantial improvements made it suitable for modern guests.
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it → preserve → guests
The owners installed a new kitchen, added a bathroom and repaired the structure’s essential services.
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owners → instal → services
The fireplace was refreshed with individually painted bricks, and a deck was added to extend the living space into the surrounding rainforest.
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deck → refresh → rainforest
The finished cabin has two loft-style bedrooms beneath its pitched roof, alongside an open-plan living and dining area.
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cabin → have → area
Its secluded setting and outdoor deck give the property a different character from the larger, contemporary home elsewhere on the estate.
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setting → give → estate
The restoration has also given the old building a new commercial purpose.
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restoration → give → purpose
Operating as a holiday rental, the cabin reportedly charges about A$300 a night and generates between A$45,000 and A$50,000 annually, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin report.
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cabin → operate → report
Actual earnings can vary depending on occupancy, seasonal demand and running costs.
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earnings → vary → occupancy
A luxury estate with a distinctive mix of features
The cabin is only one part of the property being marketed as Pegasus.
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cabin → market → Pegasus
The main house has four bedrooms and features soaring ceilings, New Guinea rosewood finishes and a subterranean wine cellar designed to accommodate approximately 600 bottles.
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house → have → bottles
Outdoor amenities include a 120,000-litre swimming pool, an entertaining terrace with an outdoor kitchen and views across the surrounding valley.
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amenities → include → valley
The grounds also include rainforest areas, a freshwater creek and walking trails.
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grounds → include → areas
For buyers interested in keeping horses, the estate has relatively level paddocks, stables, a tack room, a washing bay and a dam.
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estate → interest → paddocks
The rental income from the cabin has helped the owners offset the expenses associated with maintaining the horses, according to the report.
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owners → help → report
The property’s appeal lies in the contrast between the architect-designed residence and the modest timber cottage, which offers a separate accommodation option without losing its historic identity.
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which → lie → identity
Property goes to auction
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Property → go → auction
After a decade at the estate, the retired owners are preparing to downsize.
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owners → retire → estate
Realestate (dot) com (dot) au listing confirms that the property is scheduled to go to auction on October 30, 2026, with Hayley Kidson and Marco De Vincentiis of Kollosche handling the sale.
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Kidson → confirm → sale
The property is being marketed without a disclosed asking price.
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property → market → price
Its eventual sale will determine how buyers value the combination of the main residence, extensive grounds, equestrian facilities and income-producing cabin.
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buyers → determine → residence
The restored cottage offers a reminder that older structures on large properties can have value beyond their original purpose.
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structures → restore → purpose
In Bonogin, a building that was once close to being overlooked has become a working holiday retreat, adding another dimension to an estate defined by both modern design and local history.
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that → overlook → design
The Aporia
