He’s been sheltering Down Under since March and has fallen in love with our laid-back lifestyle – and new sweetheart Vanessa Valladares. And as the pair get serious, Hollywood A-lister Zac Efron is preparing to make Australia his permanent home.
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“Zac’s loving his life in Australia,” a source told Us Weekly. “He’s very happy with his girlfriend. It’s serious,” they added.
Efron, 33, is sparing no expense when it comes to securing his future with the gorgeous former waitress, 25.
He met Valladares while she was working at The Byron Bay General Store in June 2020.
The star has reportedly spent $2 million on a piece of land in northern NSW’s lush Tweed Valley, where the couple plan to build their dream home.
The expansive 128ha block, which is about an hour away from their current love nest in Byron Bay, features sweeping mountain and rainforests views and has several water holes, offering the outdoorsy couple plenty of privacy.
“I’ve fallen in love with Australia,” Efron said in a 2017 interview. “I love the people, the culture and the beach.”
Now, after visiting countless times and spending most of the past year here, Efron is realising his relocation dream.
In addition to the 12-month visa extension he obtained after cancelling a trip to the US last September, The Greatest Showman star has also listed his LA home for sale. “He’s settled down,” the US Weekly source added.
The move has proven to be a good influence on the reformed party boy, who went to rehab for alcohol and substance issues in 2013.
Efron has completely overhauled his lifestyle during his time in Oz.
“He hangs out with the Hemsworths. He goes surfing. He’s come a long way from partying in LA,” the source confirmed.
His relationship with Valladares is also anchoring Efron to Australia.
After a brief separation while he was filming Stan movie Gold in Adelaide in November, the low-key couple were reunited a few weeks later and enjoyed the Christmas break together, taking in the sights and shopping in Sydney’s trendy Paddington area.
“They looked completely loved up,” an onlooker told WHO.
After scoring the lead role in the thriller about two drifters who come across a large gold nugget in the South Australian desert, Efron realises that, just like the Hemsworths, he doesn’t have to choose between being in Australia with the woman he loves and his career – he can have both.
Chris Hemsworth, 37, thinks we’ll see more films – and stars like Efron – make the move to Oz.
“People love Australia and they know how much talent is here,” Hemsworth told the Australian Financial Review last month.
With a serious new love, a property purchase and a flourishing career, Efron it seems couldn’t agree more.
For more, pick up the latest issue of WHO. Out now!
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