Best of coast and country: Kinglake bounces back from the bushfires

485 Coombs Road, Kinglake West
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 6 car spaces
$970,000-$1.02 million

After the devastating Black Saturday bushfires, Kinglake has been reborn and residents – and architects – have produced some fascinating new homes.

This stylish house, with views of the city and bush, looks a little like a series of interconnected domes. Clad in corrugated iron and with curved remote-operated terrace awnings, the house has a contemporary feel but harks back to Australia’s rural past. Built in two wings, it has a self-contained suite with its own kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom. The main house has a huge central living area. Set on 10 hectares, low maintenance gardens are already under way.

Tom Egan Real Estate, 1300 866 342, Tom Egan, 0418 399 398

9 Nelson Street, Shoreham
6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 car spaces
$1.25 million-plus

Walking distance to Point Leo surf beach and with views of Phillip Island, this large house on commensurately large grounds offers a relaxing base just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne. Six bedrooms and multiple living areas are arranged in three separate areas, which means great potential for large families holidaying together. The house was once used as a bed and breakfast so, apart from the main wing of the house which has three bedrooms, there are three “suites” with a living room, bedroom and bathroom. Two of these suites have kitchenettes. An elevated position gives lovely views over the 4000-square-metre garden, with the sea in the distance, and there are decks and verandahs to lounge around on. The well-established garden has two ponds, fruit trees, shrubs and ornamental trees.

Auction 11am, Sunday, Kay&Burton, 5989 1000, Prue McLaughlin, 0417 389 006

153 The Avenue, Ocean Grove
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 parking spaces
$900,000-plus

This pretty Edwardian would not look out of place in Armadale or Ballarat but its space and style also works well in coastal Ocean Grove. It offers a very pretty face to the street, with a picket fence, lush garden and welcoming detailed timber verandah. With formal living and dining rooms and a large casual living room at the back, there’s plenty of room for larger families. The informal living area, which has a wood heater, opens to a pergola-covered deck and the garden. The country-style kitchen adjoins the formal dining room, which has a bay window seat as does the formal living room. Such pretty features are found throughout and the house has a great mix of period and contemporary.

Expressions of interest closing 5pm, February 29, Bellarine Property, 5254 3100, Ben Roberts, 0488 414 456

154 Rokewood-Shelford Road, Shelford
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 parking spaces
$495,000-$540,000

There’s plenty of rustic charm here: stone walls and mud bricks add a natural touch and the use of recycled timbers, including baltic pine floorboards and a staircase from the old Geelong Wool Stores, add some local history. A 35-square-metre living room is at the heart of the house and it adjoins a large country-style kitchen, which is warmed by a combustion stove. There are two bedrooms downstairs and a pretty main, with en suite, walk-in wardrobe, adjoining retreat and large balcony, upstairs. Just north of the tiny town of Shelford, the house is on eight hectares and is set up for horses, with stables and yards. Geelong and Ballarat are both within commuting distance.

Hockingstuart, 5223 2525, Milly Nunn, 0400 050 811