Magical feature lights up whimsical Otways hideaway

News.com.au

15-05-2025

The area's famous glow worms aren't the only thing lighting up the night in the Otway Ranges.
A whimsical glow-in-the-dark path creates its own man-made sparkle as dusk falls at an enchanting parklike retreat in Beech Forest.
The fun feature leads the way to a contemporary self-contained studio, a recent addition to the 2.58ha lifestyle property where you can also indulge in an outdoor bath on the private deck.
Charles Stewart, Colac listing agent Josh Lamanna said the contemporary hideaway was a standout feature of 35 Buchanan St, Beech Forest, paving the way for new owners to unlock potential holiday let income.
The $650,000 asking price also include a rustic three-bedroom cottage in needs of some TLC.
Mr Lamanna said the owners had transformed the gardens at the property, located about 30 minutes from Colac.
'The vendors wanted something unique and if you had seen the grounds before that did a lot of landscaping you would be absolutely blown away,' he said.
'The reason behind the glow-in-the-dark path was they come home late at night because they do a lot of outside work activities in Colac so by the time they get home nine times out of 10 it's dark.
'They wanted something magical to come home to and that's exactly what they have been able to create there.'
He said buyers could live in the studio while renovating the main house and then rent the studio out as an Airbnb down the track.
Half an hour down the road, a popular holiday cottage business in Barongarook West provides another opportunity to tap into the area's tourism market.
Otway Estate Cottages is located on the site of the former Otway Estate winery in Hoveys Rd, neighbouring the Prickly Moses Brewery.
Ray White, Colac agent Toby Kent is calling for expressions of interest in the 4.3ha property by May 28.
Established vines and a blue dam with a jetty create a scenic backdrop to the three self-contained cottages.
All have modern kitchen, wood heaters and decks, with the largest two-bedroom cabin also featuring a dedicated spa room.
Mr Kent said it was a picturesque property that was heavily booked on Airbnb.
'Barongarook is like the gateway to the Otways they say so a lot of people stay there and go and explore the Otways and the Great Road Road and use it as a base,' he said.
'They have had a few weddings there where the bridal party stayed on site so there's a few options.'
He said a 12.5m by 27.6m commercial shed fitted out with a kitchen, office, bathroom and three-phase power could be used to host more nuptials at the property.
'There is a really nice house site where you get views of the lake plus the trees if someone wanted to do that it's an option as well,' he said.