James Packer, Erica Packer touch down in Sydney for holiday at Crown Barangaroo

James Packer touches down in Sydney after staying away from Australia for years amid claims his Crown Casino staff worked tirelessly to ensure his sprawling Barangaroo apartment was ready for his arrival

  • James Packer has touched down in Sydney after three years away from Australia 
  • He is on a holiday with ex-wife Erica and their two daughters
  • The family will stay at Packer’s One Barangaroo penthouse he bought for $72million 

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James Packer has flown into Sydney after leaving Australia three years ago amid a tumultuous period for the billionaire. 

The 55-year-old stepped off a private jet which touched down at Sydney airport on Sunday alongside his ex-wife Erica Packer and their two daughters Indigo, 14, and Emmanuelle, 10, for a rumoured 10-day holiday Down Under.

It’s understood the ‘rent-a-jet’ flight took off from Saudi Arabia and the Packers will be heading to the luxury One Barangaroo penthouse apartment in Crown’s recently completed Sydney casino and resort.

It will be the first time Mr Packer, who was instrumental in getting the project off the ground, will see the development in person, having last been in Australia in January 2020 when the project was a levelled development site.

He appeared in October that same year via video conference to give evidence at an inquiry into Crown’s NSW gaming licence – where he admitted to taking medication to treat bipolar disorder. 

One of Australia’s most high profile billionaires James Packer (pictured) touched down in Sydney for a holiday on Sunday

Indigo pictured leaving the plane

Erica and Emmanuelle leaving the jet

Indigo (left) departing the rented jet with her sister Emmanuelle and mother Erica (right)

Room with a view - the incredible 'sky home' Mr Packer snapped up in 2017, although the reclusive billionaire has never set foot inside it

Room with a view – the incredible ‘sky home’ Mr Packer snapped up in 2017, although the reclusive billionaire has never set foot inside it

Mr Packer revealed last year he was intending to return to Australia in 2023 but that he wanted to be clear of needing the medication, to get fitter and lose some weight so he could enjoy the trip to his old home town of Sydney with his family.

He dramatically left the country after resigning from his 22 Australian company directorships in 2018 citing that he wanted to focus on his mental health.

Leading up to that time he had been involved in a very public relationship and then breakup with star singer Mariah Carey, and had been embroiled in commercial scandals in China and Israel.

It was reported he was receiving treatment for anxiety and depression in the United States.

James Packer

Erica Packer, who is currently holidaying in Sydney with the three children she shares with her ex-husband James, is likely to stay at the apartment once renovations are complete

James Packer bought the  $72million Sydney residence atop the One Barangaroo building in Sydney in 2021 with his ex-wife Erica taking on the interior design

The Crown penthouse apartment was being interior designed by Erica and an LA friend and 'reconfigured' to allow easier access between floors

The Crown penthouse apartment was being interior designed by Erica and an LA friend and ‘reconfigured’ to allow easier access between floors 

One Barangaroo is a 71-storey skyscraper made up of 82 palatial apartments as part of Crown resort and casino development

 One Barangaroo is a 71-storey skyscraper made up of 82 palatial apartments as part of Crown resort and casino development

The palatial Crown apartment features 360 degree views and is set across two levels

The palatial Crown apartment features 360 degree views and is set across two levels

Not long after Crown spectacularly imploded after media reports in 2019 linking the casino group to money laundering and dodgy Chinese junket operators emerged. 

Mr Packer sold his stock in Crown for $3.3billion and has been living among his various residences abroad in recent years. 

He mostly spends his time between an $80million Los Angeles mansion, which he purchased to be closer to Erica and their children, his $20million home in Aspen, Colorado, and his recently completed $50million compound in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

He also has a polo ranch Ellerstina on the outskirts of Buenos Aires and a superyacht he often stays aboard.

James spent $50million on this LA mansion to be close to Erica Packer who lives nearby in Malibu

James spent $50million on this LA mansion to be close to Erica Packer who lives nearby in Malibu

An exterior view of Mr Packer's estate in Colorado, part of his expansive property portfolio

An exterior view of Mr Packer’s estate in Colorado, part of his expansive property portfolio

Inside the cosy Colorado mansion, above, with roaring fireplace

Inside the cosy Colorado mansion, above, with roaring fireplace

But while in Sydney it’s understood he will be staying at his Crown Barangaroo penthouse he bought for $72million in 2021.

Erica is understood to have handled the interior design of the project with her LA based designer friend Nathan Turner with workers rushing to get the fitout completed in time for their holiday.

The dark colour palette of blackened stainless, Greek marble and bronze has been replaced with a light and airy feel.

A few minor jobs will reportedly have to wait until after the Packers jet-off such as installing a private lift between two of the floors and moving a kitchen – requiring complex in-floor plumbing.

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk