Ricciardo’s secret getaway at Bathurst champion’s luxury Torquay home

A RECENTLY sold, luxury Torquay home has been revealed as the secret getaway for Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo.

The landmark house at 261 The Esplanade played host to the multiple F1 race winner during his time with the powerful Red Bull Racing team.
The house was then owned by two-time Bathurst champion Will Davison and his now-wife, Supercars pit lane reporter Riana Crehan. Davison and Ricciardo became friends through racing connections early in their careers.

“Nobody really knew at the time but Daniel actually stayed in secret at our place before the Melbourne Grand Prix a few years back because he wanted to come to Australia early but he didn’t really want to be bothered by the public,” Ms Crehan said.

“He flew into Melbourne and we gave him the key and he went and hung out at our joint for a week. He had his trainer with him for a few days then we joined him and it was really cool just to hang out with him in Torquay.

“He loved it. He thought it was actually the perfect little escape for him before the GP.”

Davison and Crehan regretfully sold the three-bedroom weekender in 2017 for $2.25 million when they relocated from Melbourne to the Gold Coast after Davison changed Supercars teams.
The Wolveridge Architects designed house changed hands again last week for $2.975 million with McCartney Real Estate director Tim Carson overseeing the sale to a local buyer.
Davison and Crehan were the second owners of the beside abode having been invited to lunch at the property by a couple who were holiday letting it while it was on the market originally.

“It was just ‘wow’ the moment we walked in,” Ms Crehan said.
“The polished concrete floors, the timber, the finishes… it had a really similar feel to Will’s cousin’s place at Freshwater Creek that we loved.”

Davison’s cousin is Claire Davison Greig of award-winning local builders Greig Design and Construction. It was trips to visit their relatives that first attracted the V8 identities to Torquay.

“It was just the vibe, it’s super chilled there.”

Ms Crehan’s message for the Esplanade’s newest owners was simple, “they’ll just love it.”.
Much like one of Torquay’s more famous guests did during his week-long retreat.