A Coldstream stone fortress wrapped by the Yarra River is on the market in Reefton with a $2.4m–$2.6m price guide.
A $2.6m stone fortress wrapped by the Yarra River on a historic gold rush site has hit the market in Victoria’s Upper Yarra.
The Reefton property at 2055 Woods Point Rd sits within the state’s old gold mining belt, where prospectors once worked the same stretch of river that now curves around two sides of the land.
Today, the 1.69ha holding offers a private lifestyle retreat defined by its natural boundary, with the Yarra forming both a centrepiece and a protective edge, fed directly from the Upper Yarra Dam just up the road.
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At the heart of the property is a Coldstream stone-built residence that selling agent Val Nichols said would be almost impossible to recreate today without significant cost.
“It’s not veneer, it’s real stone,” Mr Nichols said.
“It’s incredibly solid. Really an architectural feat, to build something like this now would cost a fortune.”
A feature fireplace anchors the main living zone, adding warmth to the country retreat.
The home has been constructed with structural stone and heavy timber, creating what Mr Nichols described as a true “fortress-style” build designed to last.
Inside, cathedral ceilings rise above the main living zone, where exposed timber and a feature fireplace anchor the space and deliver the warmth country buyers seek.
The layout is split across two wings, offering flexibility for families, guests or multi-generational living, while still functioning as a full-time residence.
The home includes three-phase power, solar, battery storage and Starlink internet, enabling full-time remote work capability.
A large machinery shed with three-phase power further adds to its appeal, reflecting the background of a previous owner who worked on-site.
Cathedral ceilings and exposed timber define the main living space inside the stone-built residence.
“This is actually the second time I’ve sold the property,” Mr Nichols said.
“The previous owners lived there for around 10 years, and the gentleman was an engineer, which is why it includes a substantial three-phase powered shed.”
Despite its secluded setting, the property sits just beyond Warburton and less than an hour from Lilydale, placing it within reach for Melbourne buyers seeking a weekend base or permanent lifestyle shift.
Mr Nichols said the river setting remained the defining feature.
“The Yarra wraps around two sides of the property, and it’s incredibly peaceful,” he said.
The home’s “fortress-style” construction uses structural stone and heavy timber throughout.
“The water is pristine because it comes straight from the Upper Yarra Dam. It’s a very special environment.”
The surrounding area still carries the legacy of its gold rush past, with the Yarra River and nearby gullies historically worked for alluvial deposits before the district later developed quartz reef mining operations.
That history now underpins a tightly held lifestyle market where properties rarely change hands and buyers are typically seeking unique holdings rather than conventional homes.
The Yarra River wraps around two sides of the Reefton property, creating a rare natural boundary.
Mr Nichols said interest rate movements were unlikely to deter buyers at this end of the market.
“At this level, buyers are established and financially secure,” he said.
“They’re not first-home buyers, and higher interest rates don’t impact them in the same way.”
Instead, he said the property was most likely to appeal to a Melbourne-based buyer seeking a premium retreat.
“I see it being purchased as a lifestyle escape,” Ms Nichols said.
“It’s the combination of the river wrapping the land, the quality of the build, and the setting — there’s simply nothing else like it in the area.”
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