Steeped in Otway history and positioned high on an elevated spur 30 metres above the Gellibrand River, this circa 1905 homestead set on approx. 63 acres combines early century craftsmanship with rural infrastructure and sweeping views over pastured river flats and native bushland. Originally operating as a local farm until 1977 - and once serving as the district's Post Office - the home is reputedly crafted from timbers ferried along the Gellibrand River itself before roads reached the valley.
The Homestead
Sensitively renewed for modern comfort while honouring its heritage, the home has been restumped on durable concrete piers and externally reclad in Canadian red cedar weatherboards. Inside, authentic Baltic pine and hardwood floors meet classic regency pine wall linings beneath soaring 3.3-metre ceilings.
• Living & Hearth: A spacious, open plan kitchen, dining, and living zone serves as the home's core, anchored by a high output Nectre wood fire that heats the space and runs a wetback booster for winter hot water (switched over to electric in the summer).
• Accommodation: Three generous bedrooms, including one featuring a custom mezzanine floor made effortless by the vertical scale of the ceilings.
• The "Old Post Office" Study: An adaptable fourth room, historically used as Gellibrand Lower's early 1900s post office, functions as a study, library, or nursery.
• Bathroom: Central bathroom featuring a spa bath with stunning landscape views, overhead shower and integrated toilet.
• Climate & Construction: Re-roofed in galvanized steel during the 1990s, the residence features full thermal protection: concertina and flat foil insulation in the walls and under the floors, paired with flat foil and ski lodge rated batts in the ceiling cavity.
Self-Sufficiency & Services
The property is primed for economic resilience and connectivity:
• Water Infrastructure: 35,000 litres of domestic rainwater storage gravity fed to the residence. An automated demand pump pulls directly from the Gellibrand River into a dedicated 5,000-litre tank to supply stock troughs and garden taps.
• Power & Technology: Six panel solar array with inverter, modern Starlink connectivity enabling high speed internet and landline telephone service, and a VAST satellite setup for free to air broadcast television.
• Bushfire Resilience: Dedicated, in ground bushfire shelter installed on site for complete peace of mind.
Land, Outbuildings & Working Infrastructure
Encompassing approximately 2 kilometres of direct river and creek frontage along the Gellibrand River and Bryant Creek - frequented by native blackfish, brown trout, and river eels, the land offers fertile grazing and production capability.
• Shedding & Storage: A large primary shed accommodating a two car garage with generous workshop and storage space, a dedicated garden tool shed, a capacious firewood shed, and a third lower flats machinery shed currently housing estate implements.
• Livestock Facilities: Combined steel and timber stockyards complete with a concrete cattle loading ramp, with easy access to the main road.
• Permaculture & Produce: Established terraced vegetable gardens near the house supplemented by nine raised vegetable garden beds on the flat.
Location & Lifestyle
Tucked into the lush Gellibrand River valley just 6.8 kilometres north of the Great Ocean Road between Princetown and Lavers Hill, the property offers a secluded country escape within arm's reach of Victoria's Shipwreck Coast, the Twelve Apostles, and the Otway ranges. Princetown and Lavers Hill offer excellent dining options and are your closest points for milk and the paper - or a great meal. Both Port Campbell and Simpson are accessible within a 35 minute* drive for regional amenities, schools, and shopping.
Contact exclusive agents Ray White Rural Timboon to register your interest for one of our upcoming Open for Inspection dates.
