19 Southorn Street, Beech Forest, is on the market for $375,500.
Victorians’ bush block dreams are going up in smoke as land tax puts the cheap weekender increasingly out of reach.
A number of rustic getaways have hit the market in the Otways, but are competing for a shrinking buyer pool.
Richardson, Colac director Jake Theodore said the mounting costs no longer stacked up for some property owners.
RELATED: How much you need to earn to own a home in Geelong
Highton back yard a slam dunk for family buyers
Grand plans for Highton retirement living community
“Land tax has come into play and it’s not something they are willing to keep paying to keep a
property like this,” Mr Theodore said.
“But it has been positive for people who are looking for these types of properties, either as a weekender or something more permanent.
“We saw a boom just after Covid, when everyone was looking for that getaway to get out to the Otways, and I feel it has slowed up with our interest rate hikes but we are still seeing that special type of buyer.
“It’s the seclusion and that isolation that these types of people are looking for. A lot of the attraction is being within nature and the bush so if you get five acres and it’s cleared, it’s not as attractive to buyers.”
The newly constructed cedar cottage at 19 Southorn Street, Beech Forest, includes a loft.
The kitchen feels a bit like camping.
He said for some people the classic bush block offered an affordable pathway to a permanent home, providing they were prepared to jumps through council planning hoops.
For others, it’s about securing access to a cheap holiday.
“I had a buyer comment the other day they were looking to buy something at that price because it’s cheaper than getting a caravan and travelling up and down,” he said.
“They just want something to get away to once a month.”
One quaint cedar one-bedroom weekender in the Otways listed through Richardson will set you back $375,500.
3384 Lavers Hill-Cobden Road, Kennedys Creek, keeps things simple.
The newly constructed cottage at 19 Southorn St, Beech Forest, has a snug loft sleeping area and a lounge with a pot belly stove, plus a rustic outdoor kitchen and shower.
The 1025sq m property, within the township zone, is designed for bee lovers, with space for hives and plants to attract the pollinators.
Another one-bedroom hut at 3384 Lavers Hill-Cobden Rd, Kennedys Creek, is marketed as the perfect weekend escape.
The 4.02ha getaway is 25 minutes’ drive from the 12 Apostles and has bush views towards Moonlight Heads and Lavers Hill ridge.
155 Stringy Bark Track, Mollongghip, is on the market for $260,000.
Richardson, Colac agent Tory Kincaid, is selling the 1.63ha property, with $330,000 price hopes.
Further afield, a pint-sized timber cottage that resembles a cubby house is on the market with 8.09ha of bushland at 155 String Bark Track, Mollongghip.
The property, between Daylesford and Creswick, is listed with Jellis Craig, Daylesford, for $260,000.
English (US) · 