A West Australian adventurer from the Pilbara region is set to trade his work boots for a life of leisure after scoring a life-changing $10 million in last week's Powerball draw.
From Dinner Time to Dream Time
The winner, a grandfather in his 50s, was preparing a meal for himself and his long-term partner when he decided to check his Powerpik 7 ticket. Initially believing he had won $5 million, he was already overjoyed. "Dinner went cold and never got eaten — we were too busy celebrating," the elated man recounted.
The celebration reached a whole new level the following day. A call from Lotterywest revealed the true prize was a staggering $10 million. "I was dumbfounded," he said. "The cold dinner was still sitting there on the stove."
Plans for an Off-Grid Australian Adventure
The windfall has cemented immediate plans for an early retirement and an epic journey around the country. "I'm very happy to retire. We'd love to do a lap of Australia," he shared with Lotterywest.
His vision involves purchasing a new car and a fully-equipped, off-grid caravan capable of reaching remote destinations. "The thing I'm most excited for is no rushing around, going at our own pace," he explained. "I can't wait to see some of the really tropical parts of the country."
Lotterywest spokeswoman Zoe Wender highlighted the extra luxury the winner plans for his wilderness trips: a caravan kitted out with a coffee machine.
A Jackpot Win with Bonus Prizes
This lucky Pilbara resident is the first Western Australian player to win a division one Powerball prize in 2026. His winning ticket, purchased using the Powerpik system, delivered an incredible bonus.
Ms Wender explained how the ticket's structure led to a massive payday: "A Powerpik 7 ticket gives you 20 games using seven numbers and every Powerball. So when those seven numbers come up, alongside winning division one, you also win 19 division two prizes."
This resulted in an additional $220,484 from 19 division two wins, on top of the $10 million division one jackpot.
The two-week jackpot rollover also had a positive community impact, raising more than $3.5 million for Lotterywest's grants program, which funds initiatives across Western Australia.
