1767 Bendigo - Maryborough Road, Shelbourne, VIC 3515

For those who adore the simplicity of natures textures and tones, if you always find yourself wanting to strip away the veneer to reveal the true natural beauty of things, and if the idea of being off the grid is appealing and comforting for you, then this two storey, three bedroom Barn style mudbrick home on 20 acres, incidentally also easily commutable to Bendigo, should be the first and last thing on your list.

Finished in 2008, the primary focus here was always on self sustainability and the use of eco-friendly materials, to create a beautifully unassuming place to live, that is very private, with an unmistakable country feel, without sacrificing on town convenience.

The home itself is a post and beam construction in-filled with mudbrick, some of the posts had to be custom milled to stretch to the full height of the home. It is encompassed in 6' deep verandahs with a wonderful crazy paving effect, this continues to extend outwards at one end of the home, creating a peaceful undercover outdoor entertaining area, which houses an awesome cat enclosure with a run that connects to the home, so you can keep your moggy and keep all the beautiful birdlife here, like the Blue Faced Honey Eaters that are nesting near the front door, safe and sound.

As you would expect, everything here that could be, has been reclaimed and recycled, not the least of which is the enormous front door to welcome you in, adorned with gorgeous cast-iron T-hinges and traditional knobs and latches. You enter upon a large open plan, living space, where bagged walls retain the contour and colour of the mudbrick, exposed beams support the raw timber ceiling, and the textured concrete floor, completes the picture.

In the middle of the room, a truly unique heater takes pride of place, custom-made from stainless steel, and appearing to be a clawfoot 44 gallon drum, this is one of many talking points you will find throughout the home. Another is the very pretty and very rustic kitchen, with colonial style windows, an upright gas stove, a deep hardwood natural edged bench, ceramic double sink, an impressive corbeled timber island cabinet, and a walk-in pantry clad in raw recycled corrugated iron.

You're going to love the old Bakelite switches, the sash windows with the original ripply glass from a mansion in Werribee, and the double barn doors from an ammunition factory. In fact, you're going to love finding out the story behind many of the pieces that now make this home the exceptional place that it is.

While the 4 piece bathroom, the laundry and two of the bedrooms are downstairs, upstairs is a very versatile and interesting space where the mezzanine, or loft is completely open and extends the full length of the home with a built-in bar in one corner, and in the opposite corner a dais platform delineates a bedroom area.

Exposed trusses complement the vaulted timber-lined ceiling, and while the ceiling fan helps to keep you comfortable, a little trap door can be opened in summer so the whirly bird can take effect. It may also be worth noting that the original floorplan allowed for the installation of a second bathroom upstairs, flanked by two walk in robes.

Outside you will appreciate not only the wonderful aesthetics of natural formations such as the seasonal creek that trickles in winter, but the functionality of the infrastructure in place, including a large dam and three tanks for the provision of rain water storage, two good size sheds, each with a carport, enabling undercover vehicle storage for 6 vehicles, plus a shipping container, a solar system where the panels have been erected in the paddock for easy cleaning to ensure maximum effectiveness, and a sealed road frontage.

While the sustainability and feel of this property is what will draw you to it, you shouldn't lose sight of the fact that you are only 15 minutes from Lansell Square Shopping Centre in Kangaroo Flat, 25 minutes from the heart of the major regional city of Bendigo with its wonderful arts precinct and caf? culture, as well as all the shops and amenities to satisfy your day to day needs, and it's only 90 minutes from the Tullamarine Airport or Melbourne fringe.

To find out more you should call Wayne Heard on 0409 248 477.

A copy of the Due Diligence checklist can be found at https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/duediligencechecklist