Alex Volkanovski is a true Illawarra success story, an international mixed martial arts superstar, and a man of many talents - just watch his cooking videos online.
On Thursday, Lord Mayor of Wollongong Tania Brown will present two-time, reigning UFC Featherweight Champion Volkanovski with Keys to the City of Wollongong at a public ceremony.
Despite his globe-trotting success, the former Warilla-Lake South Gorillas prop still calls the Illawarra home. And if his social media presence is any indicator, he loves it too.
Read more: Three years on, owner scores $400K-plus profit from Wollongong apartment re-sale
In 2024, Volkanovski sold his Windang home after just a couple of weeks on the market.
The four-bedroom Windang home has direct walking access to Windang Beach.
CoreLogic records show the home sold for $1.8 million after just 13 days on the market.
At the time, selling agent, Filipp Lauretti from Molenaar and McNeice said the home sold to an Illawarra buyer, who liked the "space, quality and location".
Other features of the home include high ceilings, an in-ground swimming pool, and manicured landscaping.
The sale occurred as Volkanovski upgraded to an eye-catching, multi-million dollar home elsewhere in the Illawarra.
The sportsman purchased a 12-bedroom, 50-acre property in the region.
CoreLogic records show the property was purchased for $4.25 million.
The selling agent at the time said the property boasted "magnificent views" and was a "totally secluded trophy property".
In recent months, Volkanovski has posted a series of videos on social media showing him enjoying life on the Illawarra farm.
However, the one capturing him encountering "another diamond python" on the property perhaps makes such a glamourous lifestyle look slightly less appealing.
CoreLogic records show the home sold after 37 days on the market, and previously changed hands in 2002 for $410,000.
Volkanovski's digs include a gym with spectacular views, full man cave with bar and two houses.
The main dwelling is a four-bedroom residence with views to Lake Illawarra and the ocean.
The kitchen boasts a walk-in pantry, and there's a pool room with a wet bar.
Other features of the luxe home include a spa room with a gym, a rumpus room, and a five-car garage with a workshop area.
Outside is a solar-heated concrete pool surrounded by timber decking.
Adjacent to the main house is a one-bedroom granny flat, while the secondary dwelling is a three-bedroom residence with built-in robes and a study.
There's also a farm machinery shed with a nine-metre by 5.1-metre carport storage and a bunkhouse which sleeps nine.
