9 Penllyne Avenue, Vermont VIC 3133

Offers Close: Monday 15th December at 5:00pm

As you wander through the whimsical cottage gardens, the rose-lined arbors and the hidden ponds of 'Hillgrove', you come to understand the magic captured in Graeme Base's 'The Watering Hole'. That secret ecosystem which calls the animals to its hidden oasis feels like the perfect metaphor for what this property has meant to its family over the last 40 years.

Its matriarch was esteemed psychology Professor Janice Langan-Fox who loved to watch the frogs, ducks and dragonflies flock to the garden's feature pond on the sprawling 1,073sqms (approx.) quarter acre along historic Penllyne Avenue.

Her children remember playing hide and seek amid the fairytale gardens, while the grown-ups gathered in the garden room and the gazebo to catch up on the highlight reels of their lives – soaking up the sun and the evening breeze on land that was once an orchard.

The 1961-built homestead stands as a haven rich in warmth and character, distinguished by an Olde English fireplace, hardwood floors, and a traditional galley kitchen enhanced by a British Classic 90 professional gas/electric cooker.

East facing to the front, and west facing to the rear, golden light radiates across every room of the clever configuration that offers everyone their own private space. A lounge for quiet relaxation by the fire. A rumpus big enough for family fun. And a spectacular pitch-roofed sunroom that gives you a wonderful 3rd living space with some country style character.

An ensconced master bedroom presents as the perfect parent's retreat, complete with its own ensuite and door to the garden room.

The skylight bright main bathroom sits along the hallway to service the front bedrooms which overlook the sweeping verandah.

What 'Hillgrove' does best is invite others to share in its beauty. There's scope for entertaining, milestone celebrations and hobbies, with a gorgeous garden backdrop, and an art studio that can hold a bar fridge for cool drinks, supported by 30,000L of water storage and irrigation to keep the garden lush, the security of new gates and front fence, sensor lights, cameras and internal access via the remote door garage.

This is a rare opening, poised to welcome another generation to 'Hillgrove's' unique sanctuary in the green wedge of Campbell's Croft, Abbey Walk, The Dandenong Creek and wetlands, well serviced by bus, train, tram and Eastlink, and zoned for top performing Vermont Primary and Secondary College (STSA) which rank among Melbourne's top 10 government schools.