Coast & Country

The Age

Saturday March 6, 2004

Lou Sweeney

YARRAGON, 145 Old Leongatha Road

There was a time when Yarragon was but a bump on the Princes Highway between the regional Gippsland centres Warragul and Moe. Today you'd be lucky to get a park on the main strip of the quaint town with all the antique shop and cafe action.

This property, five minutes from the village in a valley at the foot of the Strzelecki Ranges, should have its picture next to the word idyllic in the dictionary.

A massive man-made lake, framed by towering gums, is stocked with rainbow and brown trout and the environment around the rustic cabin-like residence is home to abundant birdlife.

The timber residence, with cladding fashioned from trees on site, is simple but has everything you need, and is shared with wildlife including echidnas, wombats, deer and wallabies.

There are two bedrooms, a homey living room with wood-burning heater and a country-style timber kitchen/meals area and, outside, an undercover barbecue area.

Out by the lake there is a boatshed, a small jetty and floodlighting to enjoy the water at any time.

The property is run as a fishing retreat and row boats and associated machinery are also on offer.

There is a permit and plans for another four-bedroom residence that would provide the opportunity to turn the existing home into perhaps B& B accommodation.

Whichever way you configure the accommodation, you'd be happy with what nature has provided.

PRIVATE SALE throughStockdale & Leggo, Wantirna (9801 3622)

INSPECT Tomorrow 11am-3pm

EXPECT $550,000-plus

FLINDERS, 11 Hurst Street

There is a beach house feel and a touch of modern style to this place that pretty much describes the town, too.

Flinders is the kind of place where you know a few famous faces are hiding behind the brush fences but there is also a relaxed vibe, inspired by the beautiful coastline.

This three-year-old architect-designed house has extensive decks so you can take in views over Western Port to Phillip and French islands.

The western red-cedar construction sits well in the environment framed by low-maintenance native garden beds. Mature cyprus trees provide a verdant backdrop.

Behind the large front deck is the family room, with wood heater to counter fickle peninsula weather and a side deck leading to the rear of the house.

The kitchen, set to the rear of this space, is anything but beach shack. With stainless-steel appliances, a big walk-in pantry and plenty of storage, decked out in a chic timber trim, it can more than account for summer crowds. Cathedral ceilings lend an airy feel.

Another living area sits off the entry, with a central deck to the side.

Three good-sized bedrooms with built-in robes are serviced by a central bathroom that features a clawfoot bath.

A laundry with Euro appliances and another bathroom bring up the rear of the house.

Downstairs there is a double garage and outside a 10-minute stroll will have the water lapping at your toes.

AUCTION 1pm March 14, through Hocking Stuart Mount Eliza (9787 6878)

INSPECT today and tomorrow 1.30-2pm

EXPECT $700,000-plus