A sprawling sandstone mansion right on Sydney’s doorstep was home to one of Australia’s rock icons, but few knew who lived behind its doors.
For years, AC/DC guitarist and co-founder Malcolm Young called the imposing but quiet ‘Onkaparinga’ property in Balmain East his escape from the rock-star life.
Despite touring the world with the high-voltage band and amassing a worth of more than $150 million, his private life was removed from fame and fortune.
A sprawling sandstone mansion right on Sydney’s doorstep was home to one of Australia’s rock icons, but few knew who lived behind its doors
For years, AC/DC guitarist and co-founder Malcolm Young (pictured) called the imposing but quiet ‘Onkaparinga’ property in Balmain East his escape from the rock-star life
Purchased back in 1982 for a mere $870,000, Young’s nearly 2,000sqm colonial estate was known to locals as ‘Cockroach Castle’, according to Domain.
But the name he gave it – Onkaparinga – appears to have come from the Kaurna indigenous people’s word meaning women’s river.
One of a kind, the estate boasts a private swimming pool and tennis court, as well as a large garden and plenty of space to park a car or two.
The two-storey honey-sandstone home, tucked away behind a matching stone wall, even has an additional attic level, with real estate experts estimating it to be worth around $30 million today, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Purchased back in 1982 for a mere $870,000, Young’s nearly 2,000sqm inner west abode was known to locals as ‘Cockroach Castle’ and could be worth nearly $30 million today
The legendary guitarist (pictured) passed away last Sunday, aged 64, after suffering from Dementia for several years
Tucked away behind a matching wall, his one-of-a-kind estate boasts a private swimming pool and tennis court, as well as a large garden
The legendary guitarist passed away last Sunday, aged 64, after suffering from Dementia for several years.
Young helped found the rock group AC/DC with his brother Angus in 1973, before they went on to receive international success with songs such as Highway to Hell, Back in Black and Thunderstruck.
The band has produced 17 studio albums, toured globally and sold more than 200 million records.
But despite the rock star life he lived on stage, Young tried to remain relatively out of the spotlight in Sydney, with his wife Linda and two children.
Former bandmate Brian Johnson paid touching tribute to him following his death, stating: ‘He never liked the celebrity side of fame, he was too humble for that.’
Young (second from left) helped found the rock group AC/DC with his brother Angus (second from right) in 1973, before they went on to receive international success with songs such as Highway to Hell, Back in Black and Thunderstruck
Former bandmate Brian Johnson (far right) paid touching tribute to the guitarist (second from right) following his death, stating: ‘He never liked the celebrity side of fame, he was too humble for that’