Best of coast and country

26 Hilltop Avenue, Blairgowrie 
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 4 car spaces
$1.4 million-plus

In Blairgowrie, the natural environment is never far away, with this popular spot edged by bay and ocean beaches, and national park. Newly constructed Karkalla Beach House makes the most of this setting by featuring rusted steel and Australian hardwoods in a dramatic exterior. Inside, the use of textured warmth and flair continues: bedrooms have polished concrete floors and interesting timber-strapped half-height feature walls. 

The 290-square metre house has four bedrooms, the main with en suite and walk-in wardrobe, a home cinema and a huge open-plan living area. The living area will be the house’s hub – it opens to a large timber deck that includes a covered lounge area. Turkish marble benches and Gaggenau​ appliances add luxury to the large kitchen, which is topped by clerestory windows. Features such as double-glazed windows and high-quality tapware and light fittings add to the feeling of a house where attention has been paid to detail. 

Kay & Burton, 5984 4744, Liz Jensen,  0418 446 228

118 Kelly and Mosses Road, Korumburra
$1.1 million
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car spaces

South and west Gippsland have undergone a huge surge in popularity for weekender buyers in the past decade. The combination of proximity to Melbourne, train services (in some towns) and the rolling hills and distant sea is a winner for many. This smart new house has a very Australian look, with corrugated iron walls, and it has views over the property’s 40 hectares and the hills beyond. There are two levels, with two bedrooms, bathroom and rumpus downstairs, and the upper entry level containing the main bedroom, with en suite, and a huge open-plan living area opening to a covered deck. 

Stockdale and Leggo, 5662 5800, Michael Hanily, 0417 311 756

54 Golf Links Road, Anglesea
$690,000-$740,000
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 parking spaces

Something different in the seaside town of Anglesea: a Federation-style house that has potential as a B&B – or an Airbnb. The reproduction split-level house has a bedroom, bathroom and living room with a small kitchen on the lower level and upstairs, on the entry level, there’s a hexagonal open-plan kitchen, living, dining room and two more bedrooms. The face presented to the street is classic Federation style: a pretty verandah, central leadlight door flanked by two rooms with box bay windows.  A sloping 613 square metre block is manageable and the house is near the popular Anglesea golf course. 

GOR Real Estate, 5263 2214, Ian Lewtas, 0419 511 428

107 Homepoint Drive, Bonnie Doon
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 4 car spaces
$1 million-plus 

Waterski in summer, ski in winter – this new house overlooks Lake Eildon with Mount Buller as a backdrop and the views are a reminder of what this popular area has to offer. A large living room, with wraparound deck, is the focus of the house. It has vaulted ceilings, polished floorboards and walls of glass. The C-shaped kitchen is at one end and has a large walk-in pantry and a timber-topped island bench. Four bedrooms all have built-in wardrobes and there are also two storage rooms (and a drying room) for buyers who want to use the house as a holiday let. The 2.5-hectare lot allows room for plenty of boat parking.  

Mansfield DPG, 5775 1118