Set on a private 2.48-acre (approx) elevated allotment minutes from central Castlemaine, this thoughtfully designed home was conceived around outlook, orientation and the long view. From the upper living level, the township of Castlemaine unfolds across the countryside toward Mount Alexander. Sunsets here are unhurried. To the rear, the bush deepens, and the Goldfields Track waits at the end of the road.
The double-storey home is built on passive solar principles. The main living level faces north, capturing winter light through double-glazed openings and releasing it slowly through the day. A raked ceiling lifts the open plan kitchen, dining and living, and from here, large sliding doors open to a vine-draped deck with that view stretched wide. Kangaroos visit. Birds are constant. The kitchen is well considered: an Ilve 900mm freestanding gas stove with an electric oven, bamboo benchtops, an island for casual dining, and a generous walk-in pantry. A solid wood heater anchors the living space on cooler evenings; ceiling fans and WiFi-controlled split systems carry the rest of the year.
On this level, the main bedroom with built-in robes enjoys the view over Castlemaine, waking each morning to that same unhurried horizon. The adjacent study offers a built-in desk and the same outlook; working from home has rarely looked like this. The Moroccan-style bathroom sits nearby: a hand-made free-standing brass bath, a walk-in rain shower, and a bespoke vanity that feels considered rather than decorated.
The lower level, reached via a light-filled staircase, offers two bedrooms, each opening directly to the cottage garden and carrying its own quiet relationship with the landscape. Both have external access and split systems; one has built-in robes, the other a walk-in storage space. A second bathroom and mudroom with rear garden access complete this level.
The energy infrastructure is substantial and quietly impressive. An 8kW solar system with 13kW battery storage, solar hot water, water tanks and double glazing throughout. Nobo wall heaters, ducted cooling and heating, and exterior blinds complete a home that sits lightly on the land and runs quietly off it. Floors are non-toxic waxed Tasmanian oak upstairs; polished concrete downstairs, materials chosen for longevity as much as beauty.
Outside, the 2.5 acres reward those who want more. A productive orchard, olive trees, raised vegetable gardens, cottage and native planting, an enclosed garden, a pétanque court and an alfresco entertainment area that draws the inside out. The outbuildings are exceptional in scope: a remote double garage (8m x 7.1m), workshop (7.8m x 3.5m), studio (7.8m x 3.4m), shed and shipping container, infrastructure for a working life, a creative practice, or both. The studio and workshop are fully insulated.
A home for those who have been looking for something genuinely well-made.
