Around twenty years ago, a Melbourne couple dreamed of a country property where they could enjoy a rural lifestyle and, perhaps, their retirement years. Drawn to the Ballarat region, they discovered this special 5-acre bush block in Lal Lal – a place that has rewarded them with so much more than they could ever have imagined.
Their vision was simple: to establish a fruit and vegetable garden while supporting a vital bird corridor in the area. Over time, the land revealed its deeper gifts – teaching them about native flora and fauna, the resilience of country after drought, the significance of Aboriginal culture, and the joy of living sustainably in harmony with nature.
Today, the property is predominantly regrowth stringybark forest – once heavily logged during the gold rush era, now flourishing again with native orchids, sundews, peas, and seasonal wildflowers. Each spring the forest floor bursts into colour with yellow blossoms, “egg and bacon” flowers, and delicate orchids. Wildlife is abundant: rosellas, kookaburras, currawongs, black wallabies, echidnas, and even the occasional koala.
At its heart stands Stage 1 of a thoughtfully designed, multi award-winning home by Paul Morgan Architects (PMA), as brilliantly photographed by professional photographer Peter Bennetts.
Crafted from spotted gum to blend seamlessly into its setting, the home is both durable and beautiful. Plans for Stage 2 – the larger family-living extension – are also available from Paul Morgan (PMA), and ready to bring the vision to completion.
Inside, warmth and character abound. The interiors are lined with timber milled on-site from the very trees cleared to make way for the house, ensuring a deep connection between dwelling and land. Designed for energy efficiency and bushfire resilience, it delivers modern comfort while honouring its natural surroundings.
This land tells a story of care and renewal. Once scarred by drought and dirt bikes, it has healed under thoughtful stewardship, now offering fertile ground for productive gardens as well as flourishing native vegetation.
The heritage of Lal Lal enriches the setting further. Just nearby lies the culturally sacred Lal Lal Falls – the “dashing waters” of the Wadawurrung people – a place of immense beauty and significance.
For the current custodians, this retreat has been a sanctuary of peace, learning, and connection. Now, it is ready to welcome its next chapter.
Key Features
• 5 acres of private bushland alive with native flora and fauna
• Architect-designed, award-winning spotted gum home
• Timber-lined interiors milled from the property's own trees
• Energy-efficient, sustainable design with bushfire considerations
• Established fruit, vegetable, and native gardens
• There is a covenant on the riparian forest on either side of creek, extending over the lower third of the property
• Deep historical and cultural significance, near Lal Lal Falls
• Only a short drive from the charming village of Buninyong, and Ballarat and its amenities beyond.
This is more than just a property – it is a place of story, resilience, harmony with nature, and represents a rare chance to truly live within the land, not merely upon it.
Call Luke Veal on 0438 302 805 today to book your private inspection and immerse yourself in the special atmosphere of both the property and the area.
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