Crowe circles costly home

2007-06-16 14:08

Sydney - Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe is checking his bank balance to see if he can afford Australia's priciest house, news reports said on Saturday.

The Gladiator star was spotted inspecting Altona, a Sydney Harbour home that five years ago set a national real estate record when it changed hands for AUS$28m.

The Victorian italianate mansion at Point Piper is on the market for at least AUS$50m. It's on a 2 500-square- metre block and has a jetty and room for a tennis court.

New Zealand-born Crowe, 43, spends most of his time in Sydney, the city where he grew up and began his acting career.

Crowe reportedly turned down a starring role alongside fellow Sidneysider Nicole Kidman in Australia, director Baz Luhrmann's epic about life in the Outback during World War II.

Australia is currently filming in Queensland. Crowe, who was replaced in the role by Hugh Jackman, was unhappy with the money he was offered.

"I do charity work - but I don't do charity work for major studios," the gruff actor was reported as saying.

- SAPA