Secret goldmine hidden in the desert is for sale

Every aspiring homebuyer dreams of landing a goldmine property. 

But one family in the US has taken that dream literally. 

In a dry, dusty desert plot in Arizona is a sleek contemporary mansion. 

Hidden in the backyard, beneath sand and cacti, is an original 19th-century gold mine that dates back to the heady days of the gold rush.

In the 1880s, hundreds of prospectors flocked to the city of Tucson to seek their fortune. 

There had been rumours of gold found in the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Today, traces of the area’s pioneering history are still scattered throughout the more than 2 hectare lot. 

A long, narrow underground tunnel still bears the chisel-marks from hopeful miners 140 years ago. 

Along with the goldmine, there are three artesian wells on the property – once a crucial lifeline.

The house itself is a white plinth-like compound sprawling over the red canyon floor. 

It is a brand-new construction designed to offer an “unparalleled level of luxury”, according to the listing. 

Five extravagant bedrooms are dotted throughout the home, connected to the rest of the property via a private elevator. 

A truly cavernous kitchen with iridescent green marble countertops overlooks the surrounding hills. 

For fitness fans, there is a private gym with filtered water on tap. 

Also on offer is a movie theatre, wine cellar, tasting room, 16-car garage, glass-tiled pool and outdoor kitchen with its own television.

The mansion has been named Goldstone, in honour of the property’s rich history. 

It is on the market for $US10 million ($15.3 million). 

The property sits at the end of East Secret Canyon Place in one of Tucson’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.