Coast and country: seeking a tree change or nature haven?

4100 Frankston-Flinders Road, Shoreham
$1 million-plus
3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 car spaces

Everything is increasingly manicured and manor-like on the Mornington Peninsula so it’s a pleasure to come across this distinctive house built of a mix of timber, corrugated iron and mud brick. Known as the Bower House, it is on 2700 square metres with the house built around a long and narrow pool which is edged with decking. The three-level house has multiple living areas on the ground floor and a high-quality kitchen. Upstairs, there is a large main bedroom, with bathroom next door, and the bedroom opens to another deck with pool views. Children are accommodated in two cute loft bedrooms which adjoin a small sitting area. There’s also a self-contained studio with a kitchenette and, outside, there’s an orchard and vegetable garden, as well as that large swimming pool.

Auction at 11am, on June 19 Paton Real Estate 5931 4333, Blane Paton 0409 435 314

200 Weering School Road, Weering
$1.3 million
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 4 car spaces

Ah, Australian real estate: for the price of a small terrace in Windsor or Northcote you can have a whole farm in Victoria’s “lakes district” north of Colac. Weering is a tiny farming settlement between the slightly larger towns of Beeac and Cressy and this 118-hectare farm is suitable for grazing and cropping. Divided into 13 paddocks, it has wool, machinery and hay sheds, plenty of shelter for stock and a dam. The large weatherboard house dates from the 1940s and is in very good condition, with some period features remaining, including an open fire, timber panelling and timber and glass insert doors. The property also comes with a 204-hectare crown lease.

Condie & Co, Malcolm Condie 0407 034 410

63 Old Coach Road, Skenes Creek
$475,000
4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

A timber house set among the gum trees somehow feels more like a nature haven than a property built of brick and concrete — and here in Skenes Creek this woody mix has created a haven for birds and passing animals. A verandah across the front of the wide house is a good perch for wildlife spotting, as is the large back deck. Inside, there is a large open plan living area, with cathedral ceilings and a wood heater. There’s also a well-equipped kitchen and separate dining room, which adjoins the living area. There are four bedrooms, two in the attic space, with potential to rework the large garage into another bedroom.

Great Ocean Properties 5237 7366, Cate Thomas 0458 586 540

401 Yarraview Road, Yarra Glen
$3.75 million
8 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 3 car spaces

This 22-hectare property has Yarra River frontage, beautiful views and a great house with a huge covered entertaining area from which to enjoy it all. Known as Glen Eagles Estate, the property has a large split-level four-bedroom main house and two two-bedroom cottages. The main house is made for entertaining with a large, almost square open-plan living and dining room at the centre. It opens to the entertaining area via sliding doors and overlooks the pool, farmland and the Yarra Valley. There are also bars, inside and out, a theatre room and gym. Outdoors, things are well set up for horses.

Noble Knight Real Estate 9735 5677, Anthony Knight 0417 397 117