Homestead near Brae opens door to foodie venture

The circa 1896 house, ‘Lumeah’, has been listed for sale for the first time in 20 years and comes with a registered commercial kitchen that paves the way for a cooking venture.

The current owners Melanie Hall and Ron Bishop have run a farmhouse cooking school from the property, at 1 Bowden St, Birregurra.

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Ms Hall’s has also extended her creative flair for baking to decorating the eclectic four-bedroom homestead, which is on 1.755ha of land fronting the Barwon River.

Beautiful rural views towards the Otways are a highlight of the property, particularly from the purpose-built country kitchen and conservatory.

Ms Hall said buyers could take the opportunity to carve out their own catering business or food dream at the homestead.

“The demand for cooking classes, particularly in regional areas across Australia is really high,” she said.

“The property does not offer accommodation but there is so much other Airbnb accommodation — I have put together packages for people.”

She said the reputation of nearby Brae restaurant and the resurrection of Birregurra’s Royal Mail Hotel had seen the town’s foodie culture go from strength to strength.

But the property, which Hodges, Geelong West agent Marcus Falconer has listed with price hopes of $1.5 million, also has much to offer as a private residence.

The vendors have renovated the original homestead, retaining period features like the working fireplaces, ceiling roses and timber floors in the front four room.

Ms Hall said the extension was designed around her passion for cooking and desire to retain an existing walk-in pantry that she envisaged filled with rows of preserves.

Floor-to-ceiling windows are a highlight of the kitchen and conservatory, which is equipped with a 1100m Falcon oven and a movable bench.

There’s also a plate for cooking on one of the wood burners in the dining room, a wood-fired pizza oven on the deck and a new magnesium swimming pool.

Mr Falconer said the manageable property offered “breathtaking” views back over the valley and was ideal for retirees or a small business operator.

“It’s the kind of place that you could sit and watch the day go by,” he said.

“You can be in the commercial kitchen, working away and just take in the views.”

The property will be auctioned on April 11 at 11am.