The National Trust is selling the historic Portarlington Mill more than 50 years after helping save the landmark building from demolition.
Buyers have a rare chance to acquire a key piece of Bellarine Peninsula heritage with the listing of the three-storey sandstone mill situated just 300m from the bay.
First opened in 1857, it played a pivotal role in the Bellarine’s booming flour industry during the Gold Rush, when it was considered the ‘granary of the colony’.
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Geelong architect Andrew McWilliams designed the circa 1857 Portarlington mill.
Today it’s one of the oldest surviving flour mills in Victoria.
Forbes Global Properties, in conjunction with Jellis Craig Geelong agent Marcus Falconer, is casting a wide net for a buyer with a future vision for the 3163sqm site at 7 Turner Court, Portarlington.
Price hopes for the property, which is selling via expressions of interest, are $1.7m to $1.87m.
The mill most recently operated as a heritage site and museum under the National Trust of Australia, which was gifted the landmark by the Bellarine Shire in the 1970s.
Condemned back in 1962 and then saved after being purchased by the shire, its heritage features have been since restored and maintained in excellent condition.
Exposed sandstone walls quarried from nearby cliffs, timber floorboards and wooden beamed ceilings crafted from a now extinct stand of Swan Bay blue gums all contribute to its rich character.
The building would make an atmospheric function space or private residence.
The property is just a short walk from the bay and Portarlington harbour.
Mr Falconer said there was potential for the mill and grounds to be maintained as a tourist destination or function venue or developed into a residential apartment complex or even a private home.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said.
“Set on about 3000sq m and right in the heart of Portarlington, it’s residentially zoned and could be the ultimate function space or, subject to council approval, someone’s home.
“You have got plenty of space around you and you can just walk down to the water.”
He said National Trust had maintained the mill for decades but had made the difficult decision to let the landmark go.
“It has been well looked after by the volunteers in the trust for many, many years so the next person can be assured they are buying a great piece of history,” he said.
Exposed beams and brickwork feature inside.
The building is one of the few examples of industrial Victorian Georgian mill design in Victoria.
The soaring ceiling on the top floor is a standout feature.
Geelong architect Andrew McWilliams designed the building, which pioneered steam-driven production, before closing as a mill in 1874 when its equipment was sent to the Wimmera.
The Victorian heritage citation states it was later used as part of a brickworks, a factory for making furniture upholstery stuffing from dried seaweed and printing ink.
In the 1960s it was converted into residential flats for holiday-makers.
The property is a 10-minute walk from Portarlington’s harbour, with its Melbourne ferry link, and the town centre and a short drive from the area’s many popular wineries.
Expressions of interest close on November 20 at 5pm.
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