4 Mary Street, Castlemaine VIC 3450

First time offered in 40 years and located in the highly desirable Botanic Gardens precinct, rarely does a property as unique come onto the market in Castlemaine. The land is on two titles, just minutes to town and a walk through the Botanic gardens to the train station.

Elevated on its undulating landscape of over 15,000sqm "Chester Cottage" is a fine example of an early stone and brick Georgian style cottage. In 1860 this superb parcel of land was titled to WB Davis, publican of the O'Hara Burke Hotel, and this charming gingerbread cottage built soon after. Original details include thick stone walls, deep windowsills, cove ceilings and timber floors.

Featuring three bedrooms with original fireplaces, a north-facing lounge with a wood burner heater, a country style kitchen with an IXL slow combustion stove, gas cooktop, electric oven, and dishwasher. Adjoining the kitchen is a second living, an original walk-in pantry and a family bathroom with external access. A screened back porch includes the laundry. Updates include ceiling fans in all bedrooms and living areas, a Rinnai Energy Saver heater, town water, natural gas, underground power, solar HWS, and a septic system.

The front verandah shaded by an ancient Red Mulberry tree overlooks the surrounding landscape of European planting with the iconic Australian eucalypts. Parklike the garden is an orchestra of birds, a winter creek feeds the frog pond beside the entrance and overflows into the dam nestled at the bottom of the block. A circular drive leads to the cottage, an original timber garage, and two outbuildings.

Chester Cottage is a rare find, romantic in its setting, be part of its rich history by writing the next chapter.