15 Church Road, Menzies Creek, Vic 3159

This breathtakingly beautiful family home nestled in a real-life Magic Faraway Tree was originally built as a guest house which played host to travellers from the city looking to enjoy the riches that the Dandenong's has in abundance. Amongst these was Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, sent from the UK to establish the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne. He planted a seed in the grounds of 15 Church Road that has grown to become the majestic Linden Tree that, together with its fellows - an ancient Oak and Yew tree - have seen the comings and goings of the past century and more.

The house retains a lot of its Victorian features such as the Baltic floors, high ceilings upstairs, casement windows and charming proportions. Lovingly restored with 21st century updates - new electrics, new septic, and a sparkling new roof - modern convenience blends seamlessly with the original features of this grand old Dame. A distinctive Bohemian-like serenity permeates this home. A working vintage oven compliments the s/s dishwasher. There are push open drawers in the bespoke hand-crafted kitchen. And a Butler's sink ... who doesn't love an authentic Butler's sink?...

The bay window in the family room doubles as a day bed/storage chest with mood lighting and a built-in bookcase. Sit here next to the compact and deceptively powerful Morsø wood-fire. Period bi-fold doors open onto an expansive spotted gum deck which offers plenty of space for entertaining or quiet evenings spent looking out over the cottage garden towards the creek that runs through the property. All the ingredients are here for lazy summer nights or cosy winter rug ups.

The boot room has Art Nouveau lead-light windows which harmonise with the Encaustic tiles, imported from Vietnam, to create a space that seems too lovely for muddy boots yet suits its purpose perfectly.

Upstairs, the 2 single bedrooms have built in beds to maximise the view and to gently nuzzle you into the embrace of the Linden Tree. The golden walls capture the sunlight whilst the hand-crafted book shelves hold treasures yet to be found, making these rooms utterly delightful. Two further large bedrooms offer the heritage charm of high ceilings, panelled walls & Baltic floors. Further wall-panels in a dark olive hue set the vintage claw-foot bath off with aplomb.

Beyond the house itself, a fully self-contained studio is currently set up as a family workshop/play space. In the new world of Airbnb it could become a handy income maker or simply put your overnight guests up in comfort & style.

A perennial garden of camellias, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, azaleas, hellebores and countless others flowers all year round. There are a variety of heritage fruit trees including apple, pear, orange, plum and lemon and an extensive food forest offering elder flower, rhubarb, blueberries, raspberries, crab apples, sloe and Jerusalem artichokes.

As you wander past the produce growing middle third of the garden, a path will lead you into the fern forest, over a bridge and up to the Puffing Billy Railway track just beyond the rear boundary. Imagine walking the kids to one of the state's top Primary schools or the most highly regarded Steiner schools along an old steam train track!

Located midway between Belgrave & Emerald townships, with public bus transport a short walk away and convenient access to both Burwood Highway and Wellington Rd - it's an easy commute.

This time-honoured home will make life slow down - simplicity at its absolute finest waits for new custodians.