Comedian-turned-entrepreneur John Cornell buys more in Byron hinterland

John Cornell, the comedian-turned-entrepreneur, has spent $3,375,000 on a Byron Bay purchase.

It seems he’s intent on creating a family compound in the hinterland.

The purchase expands his McLeods Shoot holding by just the 1.4 hectare.

The property sits adjacent to the 18-hectare parcel that Cornell has owned since the 1980s.

Previously Cornell and his wife Delvene Delaney owned what was the biggest compound on the beach at Belongil. But a few years back the couple offloaded it all.

Their sales included the Don Street beachfront to Harvey Norman heir Glen Norman for $10 million in 2015.

Cornell is best known for his comedic work with Paul Hogan.

While he was working as a producer for A Current Affair, he recognised the talents of the Sydney Harbour Bridge rigger and became his manager. He often appeared alongside the actor in The Paul Hogan Show, along with his wife Delvene. 

The latest hinterland acquisition looks a savvy purchase for Cornell, with the property last trading for $3,825,000 10 years ago.

It had been on the market for six years most recently through LJ Hooker Byron Bay agent Glen Irwin.

The single-level home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a number of large timber verandas that open to the swimming pool.

The 1.4 hectare estate was advertised as having more than enough room for a cricket pitch, music to the ears of the businessman who was instrumental in the introduction of World Series Cricket in 1977.

Cornell was highly sucessful with his ventures in Byron Bay commercial and tourism property investment including the Beach Hotel which was sold in 2007 to the Melbourne businessman Max Twigg, who is rumoured to have found a $70 million buyer following its relisting in 2016.

The couple’s actor daughter, Liana, recently sold her Georgian-inspired Woollahra home for $3.9 million which cost $2.8 million in 2013.

Liana, who splits most of her time between Byron Bay and LA, is set to star in Sky’s new historical series Britannia, which draws comparisons with Games of Thrones, paid $2.8 million.

This article first appeared in the Sunday Telegraph.