For Bush Lovers and Conservationists Retrofitted Melbourne Tram in Beautiful Bush Setting for your Greenchange or Weekender

Acreage Semi-rural Sold - Dereel VIC

A 1920s W2 Class Melbourne Tram (no. 347) lovingly restored forms the spine of this home.

Situated on 10 acres of high quality dry Sclerophyll bush, the home includes 2 bedrooms, study (or 3rd bedroom), galley kitchen, open plan living/dining area and laundry/bathroom/toilet. and a separate studio space.

The central saloon of the tram forms a functioning galley kitchen; 4-burner LPG stove, ample storage and solid wood preparation benches.

Original tram sliding doors at each end of the kitchen lead to 2 other rooms, currently used at one end as a spare bedroom and the other as a study.

A veranda wraps the tram providing protection from the elements.

Extensive paving connects the main house to mud brick studio and gardens.

The combined laundry/bathroom and toilet is accessed via a hallway that exits the kitchen to the south. The hallway with a large sliding door provides access to outside.

Polished hardwood floors throughout and quality sustainable Marmoleum lino hallway and laundry/bathroom.

The living room with slow combustion wood heater, timber floors, rendered and painted mud brick walls adjoins the kitchen to the north. The light filled room has access to 2 decks, providing choice of view, sun or shade.

The main bedroom steps down from the lounge into a quieter space. Rendered and sealed mud brick walls showcase the colour and stone of the land. Large windows provide views to the garden and a sliding door provides further access to a deck.

The 10-acre property is fenced on three sides (south, west and north). The eastern boundary has been left unfenced to allow wildlife to access to the large corridor that exists from this property to the Kurucaruc Creek valley and beyond into adjoining farmland.

The stunning Kurucaruc Creek with intact riparian vegetation is within a 5 minute walk.

The property is situated on high quality dry sclerophyll bush that supports mammals such as Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Wallabies, short beaked Echidnas, Brushtail & Ringtail Possums and the occasional koala. It is also home to upwards of 4 species of frogs, 15 orchid species and 35 bird species. It has been registered as a Land For Wildlife property since 1996 and is currently awaiting Trust For Nature Covenant protection.

Perfect for your studio, visitors, B&B, building with small workshop, complete with 240V power, wood heater and great views to the bush outside.

Wood shed, 2-car carport, and a fully fenced garden yard (that keeps pets safely in) and supports several established fruit and citrus trees (Plum, Nectarine, Apples, lemon & lime).

A dam with island.

This house and studio are powered by 1.5 KVA solar/battery system that supports fridge, lights, TV, music system, computers with back up 4.4 KVA petrol generator and Woods battery charger. The battery storage system will support additional panels if required.

New gel sealed batteries with 10 year guaranteed life were installed August 2018.
New Bosch HWS – Water Wizard 10P – installed late 2017; slow combustion wood heater in lounge (country comfort) and studio (Nectre).

Water for drinking and amenities is collected onsite and stored in rain water tanks; 200 L gravity fed header water tank; two Honda 5.5 Engine/Aussiepump for pumping to header tank and water garden; 30,000 litre rainwater house with access to a further 10,000 litres from additional tanks that can be pumped to house tanks; underground pipes in place to pump from dam to garden.

NBN available but not currently connected.

A septic system treats waste.

Wood for heating is collected from fallen timber from the property.

The only fuel bought into the property currently is LPG Gas to fuel the kitchen stove top/oven and HWS and petrol to fuel water pumps and generator.

Commutable distance from Ballarat (30 min) and Geelong (45 min).

The surrounding areas with Enfield State Park to the north provide extensive opportunities for bushwalking, bird watching and picnicking while the areas to the north around Rokewood are home to some of the best examples of Victorian Volcanic Plains Grasslands and associated wildflowers.

An ephemeral swamp known as the Dereel Lagoon Conservation Reserve is situated adjacent to the Dereel Community Hall. A walking track installed several years ago, provides good access to enjoy this unique ephemeral swamp, rich in bird and animal life.

Nearby Karuc-a-ruc Creek, rich in flora and fauna meanders for many kilometres and provides excellent examples of high quality riparian (creek side) vegetation. Zoned Public Conservation & 资源, this quiet valley and not widely known area provides keen naturalist with a stunning place to ramble, explore and learn from. Swamp Wallabies, Echidnas, numerous birds large and small and the occasional platypus in the winter filled pools companion you.

Dereel itself centres around the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall and CFA shed. The Dereel Hub, as it is now affectionately known, offers a wide variety of community activities to cater for the diversity of interests; walking groups, tai chi, community garden beds including fruit and vegetable swap, men/women shed, history and art groups and more.

The surrounding areas adjacent to the hall include a children’s playground, skate ramp and open mown grass area for playing.

On Saturday afternoon, the Dereel Hub becomes a place for locals to catch up, sharing a coffee by local coffee roaster and barista.