Myf Warhurst’s wild review of ‘key party’ mansion delights Melbourne owners

3 weeks ago 16

Melbourne’s ‘bonkers’ Templestowe mansion has gone viral after Myf Warhurst delivered a chaotic, laugh-out-loud review of the retro entertainer.

A Melbourne radio star has delivered a chaotic, laugh-out-loud review of a sprawling Templestowe mansion, joking about “key parties”, indoor rain and even cocaine while touring the retro home online.

ABC and Triple J personality Myf Warhurst shared her unfiltered reaction while scrolling listings on a Friday night, quickly becoming obsessed with the five-bedroom estate at 25 Bamfield Close, which is listed with a $3m-$3.3m price guide.

Describing the property as a “1970s key party fantasy”, she marvelled at everything from its bold interiors to its mazelike gardens, multiple bars and over-the-top entertaining zones.
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“Oh my god, look at that garden, you could get lost in there, never come out,” she said.

“There’s an outdoor bar indoor … it’s even got a roof just in case it rains inside. Rains with what? Possibly cocaine in the 1970s.”

The home sits on a sprawling 4044sq m block and features a full-size tennis court, fully tiled pool, sauna and no fewer than three kitchens across three levels.

The sprawling Templestowe estate at 25 Bamfield Close sits on a rare 4044sq m block packed with retro flair and resort-style features.

One of several bathrooms inside the five-bedroom home, blending vintage charm with the property’s bold 1970s design.

Barry Plant Doncaster East sales consultant and auctioneer Mary Tynan said the viral attention had struck a chord with the owners, who built the home themselves about 50 years ago.

“They’re overjoyed. It actually brought out a lot of emotion for them,” Ms Tynan said.

“This is a very special home. They built it themselves and raised four daughters there. Their heart and soul is in this property.”

Myf Warhurst’s viral Instagram tour had viewers hooked, joking about “key parties” and “indoor rain” in the retro mansion. Picture: Instagra/myfwarhurst

It took the family three years to complete the build, with much of the work, including its standout brick features, done by hand.

“To now have this kind of attention and appreciation … it’s been incredible for them,” she said.

While Warhurst’s commentary leaned into the home’s retro flair and flamboyant entertaining spaces, Ms Tynan said buyers were responding just as strongly in person.

“It’s a 75-square home, so it’s incredibly large. That alone is not common,” she said.

“And three kitchens. That’s definitely rare.”

A sprawling lounge space highlights the home’s scale, designed for large gatherings and classic 1970s entertaining.

A piano adds to the home’s nostalgic charm, reflecting decades of family life and entertaining.

Interest has come from well beyond the local area, with buyers from inner-city suburbs drawn to the property’s character and scale.

“We’re seeing interest not just locally, but from suburbs like Fitzroy and Balwyn. People are drawn to the style,” Ms Tynan said.

“It’s not common, but people genuinely love it.”

One of three kitchens in the home, offering flexibility for multi-generational living and large-scale entertaining.

One of three kitchens in the home, offering flexibility for multi-generational living and large-scale entertaining.

A major part of that appeal lies outside, where the home’s meticulously designed gardens create an immersive landscape more akin to a private park than a suburban backyard.

“The garden is a huge part of the story,” Ms Tynan said.

“When people walk through, the feedback I keep getting is: ‘You can feel the love here.’”

The grounds reflect decades of work by the owners, who previously ran a nursery, and feature winding paths, layered plantings and hidden pockets designed for exploration.

A full-size tennis court anchors the backyard, turning the property into a private lifestyle retreat.

“It almost feels like a maze, like a playground. You can picture the grandkids running through it for hours,” she said.

Inside, the home’s design centres on flexibility and large-scale entertaining, with multiple living zones and a self-contained lower level offering potential for extended family living or guest accommodation.

“The downstairs zone is essentially a separate residence. It has its own kitchen, living space and bathroom,” Ms Tynan said.

Owners poured their heart and soul into the home, building it by hand and raising four daughters there over five decades.

The fully tiled pool is a standout feature, reinforcing the home’s focus on entertaining and outdoor living.

European buyers in particular have shown strong interest in the home’s unusual layout, especially its trio of kitchens.

“European families absolutely love it. It makes perfect sense culturally,” she said.

“This was a home built for entertaining, for big family gatherings.”

Despite its scale, Ms Tynan said the property remained competitively priced for the tightly held Bamfield Close pocket, where homes can sell for as much as $5m to $7m.