![The real Daylesford beyond The Block - for herald sun real estate](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Shipping container-style homes, architectural marvels and an abandoned, graffiti-lined church — Daylesford has a lot more to offer on the home front than The Block.
Forget The Block, you could buy incredible properties from a helix-inspired country estate to cantilevered shipping-container-style homes or an abandoned church in Daylesford right now.
The ritzy regional suburb’s property market has more than its share of stunningly renovated and recently built homes already up for grabs, without waiting for a group of amateur renovators to down tools.
In fact, local agents have warned waiting even a few more weeks could wind up costing prospective homebuyers.
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McQueen Real Estate’s Kim McQueen said once the show’s properties were listed online it was expected there would be an uptick in demand for other listings in the regional Victorian town — making now the best time for those considering a purchase there.
“A lot of people are waiting for The Block to launch and we are expecting renewed interest,” Ms McQueen said.
“If you are after something really nice, now is the time to jump in. But be quick.”
Shelley Craft, Scott Cam and the rest of The Block crew might have gotten to Daylesford a little late — the town is already full of incredible new builds, renovations and fixer uppers.
The agent, who has been working with The Block in Daylesford, said she expected the shows new offerings would be quite varied, and all to have a key difference to a lot of the area’s other homes as they will have “everything down to the knives and forks included”.
Take a look at what’s already on offer, and potentially well below the prices the show will be asking for in November.
Helix House, architectural wonder
Multiple turrets, an incredible segmented, curving helix design and an infinity edge pool. It’s hard to imagine this year’s contestants rivalling the home at 12 Indigo Lane, Daylesford.
Modernist design, steel, iron and Mt Gambier Limestone combine at this incredible Daylesford property that takes in its impressive views via double-storey glazing.
Two buildings connected by decking include a hexagonal turret that works as a stand-alone unit and a curving, angular main residence with a second six-sided tower.
The floorplan at 12 Indigo Lane includes a music room, gallery, library, multiple living spaces and voids soaring above most of the ground level.
The home’s blend of steel, stone and timber is just as striking at ground level.
The view from the property is also beyond compare.
Listed with a $2.9m-$3.19m asking price via McQueen Real Estate’s Kim McQueen, it’s set on a 1.89ha allotment.
“It’s the most amazing house, it’s very unique and it’s just stunning,” Ms McQueen said.
A 10 minute walk to the Daylesford township, the property is still in its own private world
Shipping-container chic, compact home
Bold design choices abound in Daylesford, like these shipping container-style residences.
Carr Design’s architecture and interiors can be found throughout Australia’s capital cities.
But you probably won’t see much like these shipping-container style residences located a short stroll from Daylesford’s eponymous lake.
Belle Property’s Shona Halahan is handling the sale of the 3/25 King St property, as well as its neighbour at No. 4/25 King St.
Inside one of the cleverly-designed homes.
If more modern designs are your thing, then this place has you covered.
The $1.195m asking price gets you a three-bedroom, three-bathroom floorplan and a light and bright decor with minimal bills, thanks to a 7.5 star Nationwide House Energy Rating Score.
It also comes with one of the more modern aesthetics around town.
Renovated barn, rustic charmer
It’s easy to see why locals lovingly call this rustic build ‘the barn’.
Windows shipped in from regional France, a mix of wood cladding, corrugated iron, exposed beams and a loft-style all give unsubtle nods to this home’s past life as a barn.
McQueen Real Estate’s Kim McQueen has it tagged as a “local icon” that embodies a “rustic barn style”.
“It’s a fairy-book barn,” Ms McQueen said.
“And it’s on the doorstep of the botanic gardens.”
The interior styling has helped make the barn a popular short-stay accommodation rental.
The lofty upper level provides minimal walls, but lots of character.
The 1 Wombat St property is near the town’s popular Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, which was the home of beloved children’s character Blinky Bill the koala.
With arguably just six interior walls in total throughout the home, the two-storey address manages to create two distinct living areas, three bedrooms a kitchen, laundry and two bathrooms.
La Dolce Vita, contemporary cottage
With a tidy kitchen garden and vines growing over the veranda, this is the kind of country retreat that lures people to regional towns.
Big views meet bold design features including Egyptian double doors and a cast-iron glass house at this verdant address.
From the Esse Ironheart English stove to the claw foot bath, French-style conservatory, and ornate light fittings — it’s got the kind of design hallmarks that would have TV reno show judges quickly onside.
Step inside and the home has an almost warehouse-style feel to its main living zone.
33A Camp St, Daylesford’s remaining living zone has a very different, but very cosy vibe.
It’s also won space in home design magazines and is being described as “a storybook come to life”.
Shona Halahan at Belle Property is handling the sale for the home at 33A Camp St, as well as a bare block at neighbouring 33B Camp St, with a $1.695m asking price.
Graffiti-lined, abandoned church
19A Camp St, Daylesford, was once a prominent church – but it’s now sat empty for decades.
If you are looking to get your hands dirty, the one-time St Andrews Presbyterian Church at 19A Camp St is taking expressions of interest until 3pm August 1.
Jellis Craig’s Gary Cooke is handling inquiries and said while the church was a prominently-located landmark, its future was likely in the hands of developers.
“No one is going to knock it down … you just need the vision and capacity to get in and do the work,” Mr Cooke said.
The church’s interiors are sturdy, but have seen better days.
Expletive-riddled graffiti has been blurred out in the listing photos.
At present permits for the 3247sq m site would allow for about 10 units to be added into its interior and another eight at the rear of the block, but there’s scope for alternatives to be considered.
“It’s an incredible property, but it has been vacant for at least 20 years,” Mr Cooke said.
Kids have gotten in and vandalised the walls with graffiti, and a few windows have broken — but overall it’s in impressive condition for something built in 1903.
It even still features an organ installed in 1905 by E Cornwall Cook.
The property has $1.65m-$1.75m expectations.
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