With the 20th milestone season of The Block days away from hitting TV screens, the 2025 filming location of the hit reality show has been revealed as the picturesque Victorian country town of Daylesford.
Five brand new sustainable pavilion style homes will be built for next year’s cast of Blockheads to overhaul, which will form a new neighbourhood on Raglan Street within Hygge Property’s Middleton Field new housing estate, located at the regional town’s eastern entry point.
The new community by Hygge Property will be home to The Block in 2025. Picture: Hygge Property
After being forced late last year to scrap plans to set the 2024 milestone season in the historic town due to locals’ complaints, and move to Phillip Island instead, Channel 9 purchased the five 2400sqm lots earlier this year.
Belle Property Daylesford sold the sprawling site for an undisclosed sum to the network, and principal Will Walton told said he had been involved in discussions for Daylesford to be a location for the show since 2022, when filming of The Block’s Gisborne South in the Macedon Ranges season was underway.
Hygge Property’s Middleton Field is near Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens. Picture: Hygge Property
It was at a property luncheon that the ball began rolling for The Block to be filmed in the town, when Mr Walton introduced Block executive producer Julian Cress to local builders and suppliers.
“It’s been a very long process. It’s going to be a wonderful promotion for Daylesford because for more than a century now it’s been a tourism destination, and particularly with all the culinary restaurants that Daylesford is known for and the wellness aspect,” Mr Walton said.
“On a community Facebook page, there was a survey done for those who were in favour and against and I believe the number of 84% of over 500 or something votes were in favour of The Block coming here.”
Locals say hosting The Block will be a win for Daylesford's economy. Picture: Hygge Property
Civil works for the 2025 Block residences begin
Located opposite the popular Farmers Arms Hotel Daylesford and in close vicinity of the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, civil works within The Block neighbourhood are underway, with curbs, pavement and roads being built, Mr Walton said.
In keeping with Daylesford’s landscape and the wider neighbourhood’s design guidelines, Hygge Property director Joseph van Dyk said the large, architecturally designed homestead type residences will form a private street with no passing traffic.
“There’s a historic row of cedar trees which will be protected and preserved and that shelters The Block land from the road on Raglan Street,” Mr van Dyk said.
“They also will interface with another eco village we will be designing to the north.”
The Farmer's Arms Hotel is nearby to the location of next year's Daylesford season of The Block. Picture: Hygge Property.
Come the all-important The Block auction day, Mr van Dyk expected the finished homes will appeal to professional families or downsizers who have a connection to the area, or who were after a lifestyle change.
“Daylesford is one of the world's most friendliest tourist towns and an all-round beautiful place to live," he said.
“We are really excited for the community of Daylesford and surrounds because regional tourism and hospitality has really suffered through COVID.”
A win for the town’s economy
Mr van Dyk said the township, and wider region, were excited for the economic boon ahead, with TV production staff set to be living and spending in the town for some months.
“It will facilitate the creation of more homes and more diverse housing types within the city or town, and we are excited because of the economic benefit,” he said.
The Sunday Market is a popular attraction in Daylesford. Picture: Hygge Property
“For a solid 12 to 18 months it will bring a spotlight to town, which will benefit many different retail and hospitality providers.
“When rumours first circulated that it [the show] was going to be delayed or postponed, they [locals] were calling us and saying how devastated they were and what could they do to get it back and now they are absolutely thrilled.”
Mr Walton said he was looking forward to The Block coming to town and was hopeful that his team might have the opportunity to appear in the show’s 21st season.
“That is that is a decision made by the contestants – once those contestants are cast they will go around and look at options of who they can choose to appoint so there will be five lucky agencies,” he said.
“I would imagine we would be involved.”
Looking for new properties? Check out our dedicated New Homes section.
English (US) · 