Minimalism may be in, but it's not for everyone. Some of the most popular houses last month were anything but. A Hollywood-style manor, a fairytale castle, an 1850s 'grog shop' and a mid-century masterpiece were among the top picks.
Visitors to realestate.com.au have been indulging in nostalgia, with stylish homes hinting at treasured bygone eras among the most viewed listings of September.
This was the most popular home in September across the country. Picture: realestate.com.au
For some of these houses, the glory days have faded, leaving behind a glimpse of what once was — and what could be again.
Most of these fabulous finds pop up in regions hugging the capital cities, showing our ongoing obsession with balancing space, lifestyle and convenience.
Of the top 12 most-viewed homes, four were in Victoria, three were in Queensland, three were in South Australia and two were in Western Australia.
Surprisingly, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and the ACT didn’t crack the top 20 at all, with just a single Tasmanian entry making the list.
Take a peek at some of the whimsical dwellings sparking daydreams on realestate.com.au this month.
Yarra Ranges manor 'almost like Hollywood'
For those craving old-style glamour, 7 Salisbury Street, Upper Ferntree Gully in Victoria is a standout. It was the most-viewed property in September.
The most-viewed home in September was this castle-like estate in Upper Ferntree Gully. Picture: realestate.com.au
This five-bedroom, five-bathroom beauty, known as 'Mount Royal Manor', spans three levels and is grand, opulent and — if you’re not a fan of minimalism, you might just fall in love. Think cloverleaf-shaped pool, concrete balustrades and archways, crystal chandeliers and bold carpets.
"We've had huge amounts of interest," said agent Glenn Gardiner at Fletchers Yarra Ranges. "People love it from their first inspection, it's like the world's greatest party house. It's almost like Hollywood."
Sitting on 9,934sqm, just 45 minutes east of Melbourne, the estate offers spectacular CBD views, sprawling interiors, landscaped gardens with ornate water features plus a groundperson’s bungalow, greenhouse and sauna — all for $3.5m-$3.85m.
"People love the position, the style, the views, the outdoor spaces — and the ornateness and charm," said Mr Gardiner.
It has a price guide of $3.350m - $3.5m. Picture: realestate.com.au
But the idea of actually living with the fairytale can be a different story, he added.
“Helping people imagine living here has been tougher than I expected. Many wonder how they’d manage two and a half acres.”
Originally built in 1923, the house burned down in 1953, was rebuilt in the 1960s, then renovated through the ’80s and ’90s, with minor updates more recently.
Mr Gardiner said the home is attracting large multi-generational families who value both space and style.
They’ll definitely get it.
Hinterland hideaway with ocean views
Wafts of smoke rising from a dark door on a black wall create a mysterious hero image for the listing of 168 North Maleny Road, North Maleny in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, the second-most-viewed property in September.
The hero image gives an essence of intrigue. Picture: realestate.com.au
Agent Allister Millican at Ray White Maleny said the photo perfectly captures the essence of the property and the area.
"It's all about the green grass, stone, timber … and a little chimney, with an open fire burning away outside."
Expected to sell for $2.5m-$3m, this refined three-bedroom home resides over 1.94 hectares of lush hinterland with views stretching to the Pacific. There are four fenced paddocks, ideal for horses or livestock, plus two eco-designed tiny homes, 'The Lily Pad' and 'The Ivy Pad', each sleeping four — perfect for guests or extra income.
There are also two tiny homes on the property, providing income potential. Picture: realestate.com.au
The region is booming, with North Maleny’s median property price jumping 29.3% over the last year to $1.81 million. Most interest comes from locals on the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane "who know and love the area", said Mr Millican.
Fairytale stone castle with turrets
It's a very particular buyer who will fall in love with 17 Forsythia Drive, Tamborine Mountain near the Gold Coast — perhaps someone who loves Disney-style castles.
This charming and quirky two-bedroom home feels straight out of Beauty and the Beast, with castle-like turrets, curved stone walls, timber beams, leaded windows, even a courtyard fountain.
The 'fairytale castle' is now under offer. Picture: realestate.com.au
Built in the 1980s by its current owner, the house was designed to reflect the architecture of his German homeland.
"It definitely suits someone who's looking for something unique," said agent Louis Bartle at Bartle Real Estate Tambourine Mountain, who's been "inundated with enquiries", despite the property "requiring significant renovation", he said.
The home sits on a large block that slopes down to Tamborine Mountain's Botanical Gardens. Picture: realestate.com.au
And it's not just the house that's dreamy; this miniature palace sits on a leafy, 1,139sqm block that slopes down to Tamborine Mountain's Botanical Gardens — ideal for an Airbnb standout.
The guide price has not been revealed.
Californian cottage that 'ticks all the boxes'
This quaint, three-bedroom cottage at 9 Paterson Street, Hawthorn is humbler than others properties in the 'most-viewed' list, but it still caused a stir — even at street level.
The charming home sold for $1.91m, well below the median house price of affluent Hawthorn. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
Over 200 groups viewed this 1920s Californian bungalow before it sold ahead of auction for $1.91m, way above its reserve of $1.65m-$1.7m.
"It was incredible. I haven't had a campaign like that for a very long time," said agent Davide Lettieri at Marshall White, Boroondara. "It went far beyond our expectations."
Mr Lettieri said the inner-city home "ticked all the boxes" for many buyers. It's freestanding, sits on 400sqm of land (large of the area), and is a period home with a great floorplan in central Hawthorne.
The home is in a neat and tidy condition, though could do with some updates. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
The romantic offering boasts a tiled verandah, Baltic pine flooring, detailed ceilings, leadlight windows and a fireplace.
But while "very livable", it does need an update, which put off some buyers, he said.
"It definitely wasn't for everyone based on its condition."
1850s 'grog house'
For those who love the idea of living in a place filled with happy memories, 64B Old Mount Barker Road in the Adelaide HIlls town of Stirling could just be that.
The 1850s stone cottage was once a grog house, but while it's since been restored, extended and gained respectability, it hasn't lost any of its charm.
Originally built in the mid-1800s, the home was once rumoured to be a local grog shop. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
Agent Ben Clarke at Williams Real Estate said the property's uniqueness "had huge appeal".
"People who came through and liked it absolutely fell in love. It's very cute and quaint, offering something a little different that you don't see every day up here."
Crafted from locally quarried stone and timbers, the home was renovated a few years ago and still looks immaculate, said Mr Clarke.
Timeless charm. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
"The original cottage forms the kitchen and living area, but the extension maintains that same stone look and feel. The glass atrium living and dining area captures sunlight and warmth, which is important in the Hills, while the 100-year-old oak tree out front provides plenty of shade in winter."
The property sold for around $2.2m.
Functional, mid-century masterpiece
This six-bedroom, three-bathroom home at 21 Taylor Road, Kalamunda, about half an hour east of Perth, was designed in the 1970s by Krantz and Sheldon — architects famous for their functional creations that were originally criticised as ugly.
The mid-century modern/brutalist architecture has become highly sought after in high-end homes. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
But over time, their designs have become revered, even adored.
"Mid-century modern is definitely back," said agent Jessica Morrow at The Agency. "This home has a 70s kitchen and an 80s bathroom, but everyone seemed happy the owners didn’t update them. The house is still in great condition."
The home sold for $2.12m in October. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
Ms Morrow said the buyers loved the "massive" room sizes, split-level design, parquetry floors and the views to the Perth CBD from the elevated, 4,725sqm block.
More than 500 people came through the property before it sold for $2.12m by private sale.
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