16 Hornsby Street, Maldon, Vic 3463

Tucked away from the streetscape is this private multi-faceted 2914 sqm (approx) property, a unique opportunity to live and work from home 700m from the heart of Maldon. Step into the quintessential country dream with a circa 1860s two-bedroom miners' cottage, a self-contained two-bedroom converted barn, three independent studios and a rambling garden with park-like planting and the borrowed landscape of the surrounding countryside. Shop, eat and drink, stay, and explore the historic township of Maldon and the town's selection of beautiful retail shops, cafes, and activities such as the Victorian Goldfields Railway, Mount Tarrengower, and the Goldfields walking tracks.

Complete with the charm of yesteryear, the cottage sits perfectly within its enchanting garden. It features a living room with a cove timber-clad ceiling, a solid wood heater inset into a period fireplace with a timber surround and two sets of French doors opening onto the front Wisteria-adorned verandah - a perfect spot to take in the borrowed landscape and a view of the Beehive Mine Chimney. The country-style kitchen with dining provides a 900mm Smeg gas cooktop with an oven, a Bosch dishwasher, the quaintest open fireplace with timber surround, a walk-in pantry, a ceramic farm-style sink, two skylights, a split system and two sets of french doors opening to a paved entertaining area with an ornamental grapevine and rose covered metal arbour and overlooking the parkland grounds, flush with spring bulbs and majestic elm trees. 

The main bedroom is light and bright, with a vaulted ceiling and windows framing the garden, and the second bedroom has built-in robes, timber cladding and a raked ceiling. The central bathroom has a shower over the bath, a toilet and a basin. A mudroom with built-in robes, a wooden bench top with basin, storage, a petite external door, slate flooring, and a second external access to a sunny courtyard overlooking the garden, barn and studio. Modern updates to the cottage include a split system, gas hydronic heating, and an integrated solar system. Period features include timber flooring, timber cladding, and quaint 6/6 windows. This property is on town water with bottled gas.  

The converted two-bedroom barn is set up for self-contained guest accommodation or independent multi-generational living and is run as a successful Airbnb by the current owners. The respectful conversion features entry via an oversized barn-style door into the spacious open-plan living with dining and a kitchenette. The space feels expansive, with a high vaulted ceiling with skylights and a polished concrete floor. The living has a solid wood heater, a ceiling fan, and double doors leading to a patio overlooking the park-like garden and chicken pen. The kitchenette with dining has an electric cooktop, a farmhouse-style ceramic sink, timber benchtops, and a split system. Double rustic doors lead into a ground-floor bedroom with a split system and two cute 6/6 period-style windows. Stairs lead to a timber-clad second bedroom with a cove ceiling, a split system, period-style windows and a barn-style door opening onto a north-facing balcony. The curvature of a converted water tank houses the bathroom. Its unique design features a shower, basin, toilet and light well. 

The 2914 sqm (approx) property provides three independent studio/ office/ workshop spaces: a 3.5m x 2.3m workshop nestled within the elm trees, has a wall air conditioner and a verandah overlooking the orchard and surrounding landscape; a 3.5m x 5m office with a split system; and a 2.9m x 3.8m studio with a 2.9m x 3.8m storage room and a verandah overlooking the garden and the borrowed landscape with a view of the historic Beehive Mine Chimney. A 3.6m x 5.2m carport has an adjacent 3.6m x 4.8m covered multi-purpose space ideal for entertaining or additional storage.     

The rambling cottage garden with brick pathways meanders around the home, barn and studios, with quiet sitting areas to reflect and relax. The garden blends seamlessly into the park-like grounds with a grove of beautiful established golden elm trees that create shade and privacy. Four large water tanks sustain the garden and the wicking beds, raised veggie gardens, an orchard and established olive and citrus trees.   

A golden sanctuary amongst the elms and song of birds, this unique historic property, with its generous grounds and the borrowed landscape of crown land, offers a rare opportunity to live the quintessential country lifestyle with work-from-home potential.