From soil to sanctuary: This couple turned their Boneo property into a farm, festival hub and family estate

A farm, a festival and fields full of dreams. If ever anyone embodied the famous motto, ‘If you build it, they will come,’ it’s Alex Harris and his wife Vivienne, who created a brilliant, diverse, productive property that has brought joy to not only their own family but literally hundreds of friends and locals.

There are doubtless more famous locales in and around the glorious Mornington Peninsula than Boneo, but we’ll wager its parched-sounding moniker is one of the more incongruous going around.

$8,800,000 - $9,200,000 | By Private Appointment

515 Grasslands Road, Boneo VIC 3939

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Alex and Vivienne’s sensational spread, with sweeping views of Bass Strait and heartbreakingly beautiful sunsets, is a brilliant example of Boneo’s bounty.

Thirty years ago, though, in the late 1990s, the only thing here was a huge dam and a massive shed.

“We rolled up to the auction just to see what the land sold for. No one put in a bid, except us,” Harris says. Three decades and countless improvements later, the bare paddocks have become a peninsula paradise.

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Their starting wish list back then consisted of two things – a house and a road. Simplicity itself. Over time, a farm took shape around those two pressing priorities, part of which is the 2000-tree olive grove that produces the titular, award-winning drop, 515.

“There was no big plan for it,” Harris says. “I planted some olive trees and thought they looked nice. Then I ended up planting 2000.” They also ended up with one of the best oils in Australia, selling the small-batch supply to high-end hospitality. “It has the lowest acidity, which is how you assess a good oil. It’s been very successful.”

While the land and its use may have evolved around them – in all, they planted around 6000 trees, created paddocks, fenced the property and irrigated the land for crops and stock – the couple had more definite ideas about their house.

What presents on the rise above the olive grove is a single-storey vision that takes its cues from a classic Italian villa style in its compound-like composition, coupled with an industrial flair to create something quite remarkable.

Inspiration also came from places closer to home. The epic arched windows were first spotted at the beloved old Flinders Lane restaurant, Rosati. Harris also took a picture of the doors of an old art deco hotel in Sydney’s Kings Cross and had 10 replicas made.

“Having a teak furniture business, whenever I saw something I liked, I could copy them myself,” he says.

You can see those unique imprints throughout the home, in particular the stunning matching teak doors and beautiful parquetry floors.

High ceilings and light, flowing spaces were also a requisite. “We have always had an interest in art, and we wanted a home designed like a warehouse that could showcase our collection,” Harris says.

Rob Curtain of Peninsula Sotheby’s says it’s “a gorgeous industrial design, but it’s relaxing, very warm and it caters beautifully for friends and family to stay and enjoy”.

Originally four bedrooms, with a protected pool and terraces set inside a high wall to the rear, Alex and Vivienne’s four children had children of their own, necessitating a recalibration to provide space for the expanding family.

Now with seven bedrooms and four bathrooms, there’s room for all to enjoy the jaw-dropping views through those splendid arches all the way to the blue.

“I just love it,” Harris says. “It’s so grand, but so peaceful. It’s expansive. There’s always a place to get away from people and have time to yourself.”

You’ll understand why the couple might need that little bit of peace from time to time. Down in the massive shed, which now houses offices, a kitchen, a cool room and bathrooms, there have been any number of shindigs, catered for by the generous couple.

“We’ve had weddings and birthday parties. We’ve had Christmas lunches for over 100 people in here,” Harris says.

Taking it a step further, they erected a stage, got a band and a food truck and created their own annual festival. Ass on the Grass has been enjoyed by any number of friends, family and neighbours.

Rob Curtain says it’s one of the area’s good times. “It’s a great day out, and you get to take a bottle of 515 olive oil home with you as a wonderful memento.”

So, to move on. “Maybe I’ll lounge around and read a book,” Harris says, and, having created olive grove and orchard, vineyard and protea patch, vegie garden, chook house and greenhouse while curating fun and fellowship alongside all that formwork, the couple are probably more likely to write one on having it all.