Latest news with #Bellarine
News.com.au
20-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- News.com.au
Mid-century Jack Clarke design in Drysdale lives to see another day
Offering sweeping views of Corio Bay, this mid-century home in Bellarine's Drysdale township leaves a lasting impression. Initially planning to buy the home, demolish it, and subdivide the land, the vendor, James Chivers, immediately changed his mind after seeing 18-22 Regency Drive first-hand. 'From the moment we saw the house, it was clear this home was something truly special — both architecturally and in terms of its position and outlook,' he says. Quarterly price growth for Geelong suburbs revealed 'The light, the views, the design — it all stopped us in our tracks. We quickly realised our plans needed to change. 'The entire estate was reworked to preserve and celebrate this home, making it the statement piece of the street.' The home was originally designed by former Essendon footballer, Jack Clarke, who, along with David Hopkins and Les Clarke (all three RMIT Architecture graduates), created the renowned architecture firm, ClarkeHopkinsClarke. After this, the house underwent a renovation with a second owner, a local architect from Jan Juc, who extended the home to create what is now the large main bedroom and also added the light-filled dining area. 'This all keeps with the original mid-century design,' explains Chivers. Most recently, Chivers says that 'new travertine flooring has been added to enhance the natural elements in the original design.' Comprising clinker brick construction, the architectural appeal of the home is woven into the practical floor plan with its soaring floor-to-ceiling windows, generous room proportions, and raised ceilings, which all allow stunning natural light and water views. 'We've always loved sitting in the dining room — the light just pours in, and you can see right out over Swan Bay to the You Yangs. It's one of those spots where you just naturally slow down and take it all in,' says Chivers. 'In winter, the in-floor heating and the wood fire made the whole house feel so cosy. We'd often spend nights curled up by the fire with a glass of wine — it just has that warm, homely feel.' Another standout feature of the home, Chivers says, is the main bedroom. 'This was a real sanctuary for us — it's huge, and those big windows mean you wake up to that beautiful light and view every morning,' he says. Decking runs the full length of the northern side of the house, with direct access from two bedrooms, as well as the main living area. Additionally, the established Japanese gardens at the 1516sq m property have proven to be a peaceful sanctuary. 'One of our favourite places has to be the back garden,' Chivers says. 'It's private, peaceful, and feels like a little escape. We'd often sit out there by the fire pit in the evenings — it's a great spot to unwind.' Wilsons, Geelong agent James Wilson has scheduled the auction of 18-22 Regency Drive, Drysdale, for August 23 at noon. Price hopes are $1.15m to $1.25m.
News.com.au
18-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Geelong's top homes worth over $120m
Buyers splashed close to $120m on the 20 most expensive homes to sell in the 2025 financial year. Landmark homesteads, rural lifestyle properties and beachside trophy homes were among the 20 top sales across the region. Suma Park, near Queenscliff, topped the region after selling in an undisclosed deal understood to be over $10m. RT Edgar Bellarine director Felix Hakins brokered the deal in March, which he said would ensure the historic property remains a popular venue for weddings. High-end sales are typically quiet, with details for landmark properties at Bellarine and Queenscliff kept under wraps. The extraordinary Portarlington Rd, Bellarine estate with absolute bay frontage sold in deal believed to be worth more than $8m. The 62ha property was the long-time home of late barrister Brian Bourke, who is best known for defending Ronald Ryan, the last person hanged in Australia. The lavish four-bedroom house was built to frame uninterrupted Corio Bay views, as well as surveying the cattle grazing at the bayside property neighbouring historic Spray Farm. The keen arts supporter installed an impressive private sculpture collection that dots the grounds. A beachside Queenscliff residence designed in the early 1990s by late architect Wayne Gillespie for Sir Rupert and Lady Susannah Clarke and later aesthetically renovated by youngest daughter Jo Youl with a family friend who is a Geelong builder, and friend and interior designer Emily Fitzgerald, hit the market in March with $7.5m to $8.25m hopes. Located footsteps from Nuns Beach via a direct path from the Flinders St address, the three-storey Sagres offers a stunning backdrop overlooking the waters of Port Phillip Heads. RT Edgar Bellarine agents Elissa Holloway and Candace Smith handled the expressions of interest campaign for the three-storey residence but were tight-lipped on the sale. The Advertiser understands there was competition for the postcard-worthy property that's easily trumped the town's previous $6.5m record price. Retired motor racing driver and former Total Tools boss Paul Dumbrell also quietly wrapped up the sale of a beachside Barwon Heads home he originally planned to bulldoze. Records show the Bathurst 1000 champion traded the Swaney Draper designed five-bedroom house overlooking 13th Beach for $7m. His family splurged a combined record $10.2m on the exclusive 1275sq m property at 2 Stephens Pde and an older neighbouring house during the Covid coastal boom of 2020. Bellarine Property's Christian Bartley earlier brokered a $3.3m sale of the four-bedroom weatherboard next door at 4 Stephens Pde. Mr Bartley did handle the second most-expensive sale in late June as deadline for expressions of interest closed on the Jackson Clements Burrows designed five-bedroom residence at 12-16 Henley St, Barwon Heads. The residence at 12-16 Henley St was snapped up with two parties at the table to negotiate the sale just shy of $7m. Featuring cedar cladding, floor-to-ceiling windows and polished concrete, the timeless house champions sustainability with a 7.5-star energy rating, cross-flow ventilation and greywater recycling. It's key design element was inspired by a half-joking request to include a planetarium inside the family home. The resulting skylight in the living room allowed the residents to watch the stars. The home set among established native gardens designed by local landscape architect Tim Nichols which incorporate a 16m saltwater swimming pool and outdoor fireplace. The top urban Geelong sale was another off-market transaction believed to be worth more than $8m for Kardinia, the historic Belmont riverfront home where a developer recently lodged plans to restore the landmark as a residence and build 34 double-storey townhouses. Disability service provider GenU had been trying to offload the property since 2019, when it listed with the Colliers Geelong agency with $5m-plus hopes, but last year dealt privately with Newtown-based developer Fathom Group. Fathom Group wants to demolish the former Karingal head office complex, a collection of mainly 1960s brick buildings including an unsympathetic extension to the historic Kardinia house itself to allow the development. Fathom director John Grigg said Kardinia would be restored to its original condition as a residential home, on its own title, with the gardens and ground intact. Virginia St delivered the top result in Newtown, with buyers quick to pounce on Yemoneit, a California bungalow built in 1919 for Godfrey Hirst's son. Whitford, Newtown director John Moran said a number of parties stepped forward to put their own stamp on the 2697sq m property before the home was snapped up for $5.95m. 'I think the land component and being in what most people think is the best street in Geelong, you don't get too many opportunities to do that.' Newtown's second entry was in Balcombe Rd, where a sprawling property complete with saltwater swimming pool, floodlit tennis court and a dedicated golfing area lasted four weeks before a local family pounced. The Malishev construction has high square-set ceilings, polished timber floors and custom cabinetry but offered a secluded estate vibe, said McGrath Geelong agent Carl Hammond. 'It's like you're in the country when you're in the back yard or out on the tennis court, but you've a five-minute drive from Pakington St,' Mr Hammond said of the property. A $4.675m deal for landmark dichromatic brick Western Beach home was the city centre's most expensive home for the year. Local buyers seized on the renovated four-bedder at 36 Western Beach Rd, motivated to downsize to the waterfront, McGrath Geelong director Jim Cross said. 'Wanting a single level home on the waterfront is not east to find, unless you're buying an apartment,' he said. Mr Cross has handled some of the city's biggest off-the-plan apartment deals, though they didn't make the top 20 list this year. A palatial Highton house set among almost 3340sq m of secluded grounds has set a new suburb benchmark after breaking the $5m barrier.
News.com.au
30-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Circa-$7m buyer for award-winning Barwon Heads home
An award-winning five-bedroom Barwon Heads residence complete with a circular two-storey tower clad in vertical timber battens has sold for close to $7m. The residence at 12-16 Henley St was snapped up soon after the deadline for offers closed last week with two parties at the table to negotiate, Bellarine Property agent Christian Bartley said. Mr Bartley said six groups took up the chance to privately inspect the 1454sq m property, which the Addy understands it sold for close to $7m. Mr Bartley said he couldn't disclose the price. Waterfront hideaway selling with private lagoon The striking residence wowed the judges at the 2010 Victorian architecture awards, winning the new house category for architects Jackson Clements Burrows, and Mr Bartley said it gained a similar reaction from buyers during the campaign. Featuring cedar cladding, floor-to-ceiling windows and polished concrete, the timeless house champions sustainability with a 7.5-star energy rating, cross-flow ventilation and greywater recycling. It's key element was inspired by a half-joking request to include a planetarium inside the family home. A resulting skylight in the living room allowed the residents to watch the stars. Morgan Home Builders constructed the home, which is set among established native gardens designed by local landscape architect Tim Nichols which incorporate a 16m saltwater swimming pool and outdoor fireplace. Mr Bartley said it was one of the most enjoyable sales of his real estate career. 'It was an amazing campaign. The vendors were excellent to communicate with and took on board everything we said,' he said. 'Obviously there's a lot of adjustments in the marketplace that people who own property have got to adjust with from where we were in the Covid boom time, then following with the interest rate rises and land tax coming in and removing a few holiday buyers in the marketplace,' Mr Bartley said. 'But there is still a good market. 'We had to analyse where it sat best and we discussed it together and decided to put $6.6m to $7.2m on it see where we go from there.' Every group that inspected the property was in a position to buy, Mr Bartley said. 'We had a fight for it and one extremely lucky buyer who will be using as a holiday home.' Mr Bartley said losing buyers could regret missing out in years to come. 'There's only so many of those (homes) in our region and it attracted that attention,' he said. 'While it's 15 years old, it doesn't feel 15 years old. The elements of his architecture, which is privacy, light and space, modernisation still exists. The family who purchased it, and everyone, was extremely impressed of course, but the extra space with all the trees on it made it feel like a little farmlet. And the location – Henley St, golf course precinct Barwon Heads, it doesn't get much better.'
News.com.au
25-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- News.com.au
Waterfront Queenscliff hideaway selling with private lagoon
A waterfront property with a private lagoon adjoining Swan Bay could be the perfect catch for fishing and kayaking enthusiasts. Launching a hobby craft has never been easier than at 4 McDonald Rd, Queenscliff, a 3.46ha lifestyle listing with unparalleled access to the Ramsar wetland. Uninterrupted views over the bay, native woodland and open grassy space are on offer from a three-bedroom weatherboard cottage currently used as a holiday rental. There's even a bridge to a private island where you can entertain under a gazebo overlooking the lagoon. RT Edgar, Bellarine listing agent Felix Hakins said the property was a nature lover's paradise in an exclusive and secluded setting. He has set a $3.5m to $3.85m price guide for an expressions of interest campaign closing on July 25. 'It is really the only one that has got access bay access there, really it's canoe access and small craft – you can't have motorised craft on Swan Bay,' Mr Hakins said. 'But you can definitely get your canoe through there and it's a really nice set up with all the bird life throughout. 'You get a lot of people that are fishing in there in as well so it's a great fishing spot.' He said the property would work equally well as a permanent residence or holiday getaway, with scope to expand the living space or even build another dwelling, subject to council approval. An updated bathroom is among improvements at the house, which retains hardwood timber floors and expansive glazing framing 360-degree views. The open-plan living area includes a galley kitchen and dining area and flows out to wraparound covered deck with a northern and easterly aspect. A fire pit and stone pizza oven provide other options for outdoor entertaining, while the kids can let their imaginations run wild in the elevated cubby house hidden among the trees. There's lots of storage for canoes and paddleboards in the shed, which includes garaging for two cars.
Associated Press
16-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Kings Funerals Addresses the Changing Needs of Regional Families in the Funeral Sector
Kings Funerals continues to support families across Greater Geelong, the Bellarine, Surf Coast and Golden Plains communities with respectful and practical after-death care. Offerings such as cooling blankets reflect an ongoing commitment to flexibility, transparency and meeting the evolving expectations of regional Victorian families. Australia, June 16, 2025 -- Expectations around funeral care continue to shift. Across Greater Geelong, the Bellarine, Surf Coast and Golden Plains communities, more people are seeking options that reflect cultural diversity, changing beliefs and the need for clarity in decision-making after a person dies. Kings Funerals has continued to adapt its service offering to meet these expectations, grounded in its long-standing reputation for professionalism and community connection. One of the more recent additions is the cooling blanket: a mobile solution that supports temporary care when families wish to spend more time with their person. Used as an alternative to traditional mortuary refrigeration, the cooling blanket offers a discreet and portable option that helps preserve the person's condition in settings such as the family home or aged care facilities. While the cooling blanket provides additional flexibility, it is only one aspect of Kings' broader approach to practical after-death care. As communities request more transparency and choice, their funeral directors have continued to expand their offerings with attention to local needs, cultural preferences and logistical realities. Whether a family seeks a simple cremation, a full-service burial or something in between, the team works to ensure each service is handled with clarity and care. Kings Funerals ' community presence spans three generations, and with that experience comes a deep understanding of the emotional and practical challenges families face during loss. The company recognises that no two families or funerals are the same. By offering a mix of traditional services and more contemporary care options, Kings supports families in making arrangements that reflect their values, beliefs and timing. Across the Surf Coast and Bellarine, for instance, some families may prefer smaller, informal gatherings or non-religious services. Others may need time to coordinate interstate or overseas travel. In the Golden Plains region, access to care facilities or logistics may vary, and Kings' regional reach ensures that support is consistent, regardless of location. Importantly, Kings continues to engage with the community not only at the time of need but through education and dialogue around what happens after a person dies. This includes providing families with information on timelines, legal requirements and care options, supporting informed choices in a respectful and approachable manner. As community expectations continue to shift, Kings remains focused on what it does best: delivering grounded, respectful service personalised to the realities of modern funeral care. Through solutions such as the cooling blanket and ongoing regional support, the company continues to meet families where they are — with dignity, transparency and quiet reliability. To learn more about planning with funeral directors in Geelong and after-death care, visit Kings Funerals' website. About the company: Kings Funerals is a family-owned funeral home based in Geelong that has supported families across Greater Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast and Golden Plains regions for 70 years. Known for its respectful, practical approach, the Kings team has served generations of local families with care, professionalism and transparency. Contact Info: Name: Kings Funerals Email: Send Email Organization: Kings Funerals Website: Release ID: 89162359 In the event of encountering any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within the content shared in this press release, we kindly request that you immediately contact us at [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our dedicated team will be readily accessible to address your feedback within 8 hours and take appropriate measures to rectify any identified issues or facilitate press release takedowns. Ensuring accuracy and reliability are central to our commitment.
