Serial Block buyer and billionaire Danny Wallis is making headlines again, this time not for his idiosyncratic auction bids, but for his ambitious foray into the rental market.
Wallis, who snapped up Robby and Mat’s House 5 from the 2025 Daylesford season, is now seeking a staggering $2500 per week for the fully furnished four-bedroom property at 1 Cedar Lane.
The eye-watering rental demand comes as two other homes from the same controversial season continue to languish on the sales market, almost four months after the final episode of The Block aired.
The luxurious abode, which will become available from 20 February, is being offered for a two-year fixed-term lease.
It’s a significant commitment for any tenant, especially when considering the local rental market.
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1 Cedar Lane, Daylesford has been listed for rent for $2500 a week. Source: realestate.com.au.
PropTrack data reveals Daylesford’s median rent sits at a comparatively modest $528 a week – a jaw-dropping $1972 below Wallis’s hopes for his investment.
Meanwhile, a quick search on realestate.com.au for available rental properties in Daylesford, a popular escape just 90 minutes from Melbourne, shows only 12 listings.
Of these, 1 Cedar Lane is one of just two properties daring to ask four figures.
The other, an elegant four-bedroom 1860s character villa, is available for $1395 per week, also fully furnished.
Billionaire Danny Wallis purchased the property at auction last year for $3,099,99. Source: Nine News
The decision to list the property for such a princely sum comes after a truly disastrous auction finale for the 2025 season.
Only three of the five properties sold on the day, with profit margins falling far short of the million-dollar-plus windfalls seen in previous years.
Adding to the drama, two homes from the series – Ben and Emma’s House 1 at 5 Cedar Lane, and Han and Can’s House 2 next door at 4 Cedar Lane – were passed in on vendor bids and are still desperately searching for buyers.
Robby and Mat, the South Australian best mates who owned House 5, were widely tipped to win the series thanks to their ingenious, game-changing luxury wine cellar.
The four-bedroom home is available for rent fully furnished. Source: realestate.com.au
This feature alone scored them a perfect 30/30 points, leaving them in tears of joy.
While it wasn’t enough to secure first place, it certainly caught the eye of Danny Wallis, who paid $3,099,999 for the property.
Danny Wallis, an IT entrepreneur and prolific The Block investor, has purchased 12 houses on the show since 2012, spending over $45.9 million.
Now, that celebrated wine cellar, along with an impressive collection of artwork including pieces by Jade Torres and several Bromley works, will be available for the tenant’s use – though it will be unstocked.
It also includes an impressive collection of artwork. Source: realestate.com.au
A note on the listing does advise that some furniture shown in advertisements may also differ from the actual items.
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home also comes with a pool, solar, two large sheds and a large two car garage with internal access to the kitchen.
Property Manager Helena Eglezos of Belle Property suggests that while Daylesford is a hotspot for short-term accommodation and holiday rentals, a tenant for “a property of that calibre for that duration of time” will most likely be a local.
She anticipates someone who is renovating or building in the area and requires a high-end rental for 18 to 24 months.
Auction fallout: High reserves and missing millions
The 2025 Block auctions were shrouded in controversy, with contestants and industry commentators alike blaming the show’s high reserve prices for the disappointing profits.
The notable absence of billionaire bidder Adrian Portelli, who had previously splashed staggering amounts of cash, also played a part in the subdued atmosphere.
The listing could set a new rental price record. Source: realestate.com.au
While West Australian winners Brit and Taz walked away with a total of $520,000 (including the $100,000 first-place bonus), Sonny and Alicia only made $120,000, and Robby and Mat took home just shy of $55,000 each.
For the two couples whose homes remain unsold, any profit is still a distant dream.
As the Daylesford market grapples with unsold Block homes and a billionaire’s ambitious rental expectations, all eyes will be on 1 Cedar Lane to see if a tenant is willing to pay top dollar for a slice of television history.
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