27 Mennens Lane, Harcourt North, Vic 3453

Old red gums, sweeping lawns and a long drive lead to this beautifully presented retro brick four-bedroom homestead. Updated with care and an eye for detail, it sits comfortably within 6.77 acres (approx.) of park-like grounds, with three dams, paddocks and an orchard. It has the feel of a home that belongs to its land. It suits a family wanting room to grow, a horse owner wanting facilities on the doorstep, or anyone looking for space close to town.

A wrap-around verandah looks over the front garden. Inside, the lounge measures ten metres long and sits beneath a high raked timber ceiling with skylights. A lime-washed brick feature wall anchors the room, and an open fireplace with a sculptural surround gives it a centre. Polished timber floors run through the home. Large windows frame the garden, so the park-like grounds are part of every room. A timber-framed pass-through connects the lounge to the kitchen, and a bar with its own kitchenette corner makes entertaining easy. The updated kitchen has stone benchtops, a herringbone splashback, black tapware, a 900mm freestanding electriccooktop with oven, and a dishwasher. Open timber shelving adds warmth. The dining area is warmed by a solid wood heater, and a sliding door opens to the entertaining terrace.

The main bedroom has a walk-in robe and an ensuite. Two matching bedrooms face the front, each with built-in robes and a built-in desk, and all look over the grounds. A fourth bedroom has built-in robes as well. The central bathroom has a back-to-wall bath, a vanity, a separate shower and a separate toilet. A second living space gives the household room to spread out. The large laundry has external access.

Outside, a wisteria-clad pergola shades the entertaining area. Spring brings the scent of wisteria, sounds of native birdlifeand long evenings end around a fire. A stone cooking area with built-in wood storage sits beside the pergola, and boulders set into the garden create quiet places to sit. Children have a playground and a cubby house, with lawns to run across and an orchard to watch grow.

For horses, there are three stables and fenced paddocks. The arena sits beside the larger of the two dams, the second dam is in the paddock, and a third shared dam at the front of the property. The dams have approximately 3000 megalitre capacity and a large catchment area with an established irrigation system. 

A studio with a kitchenette suits guests, work or hobbies. The 204sqm (approx.) residence is joined by a garage with machinery access, a carport and a shed. An integrated solar system, solar hot water and water tanks keep the running of the place simple.

Harcourt is six minutes away, with its primary school and local amenities. Castlemaine is 13 minutes away, Lansell Square Plaza is 14 minutes away, and Bendigo CBD is 25 minutes away; the Calder Freeway gives easy access to Melbourne in about 90 minutes.

Brought back to life and ready for its next chapter, this is a home to settle into.