7 Turner Court, Portarlington, Vic 3223

A rare opportunity has arisen to acquire a genuine piece of Victorian history: the 19th-century, National Trust-certified Portarlington Mill. Just 300 metres from the water on the Bellarine Peninsula, in the seaside township of Portarlington, this handsome honey-toned, three-storey building is a veritable time capsule from yesteryear.

Opened in 1857, it played a pivotal role in the booming flour industry of the Bellarine during the Gold Rush, when it was deemed the ‘granary of the colony’. It was one of the most distinctive of more than 250 flour mills in Victoria at the time, and today, is one of the oldest to remain. Crafted from locally quarried sandstone and timber, with pleasing string courses distinguishing each floor, the original architecture of noted designer Andrew McWilliams has truly stood the test of time. Its fascinating history over the years has seen the building evolve from a flour mill pioneering steam-driven production, into a factory, residential property and, most recently, a heritage site and museum under the National Trust of Australia. Within its walls, the property oozes heritage character at every turn, with wooden beamed ceilings, exposed brickwork and timber floorboards. 

The potential here is endless, with the opportunity to maintain the mill and its grounds as a tourist destination or develop a multi-apartment residential complex (STCA). Or, perhaps its new era will be as a singular private home, rich with inimitable character and historic charm, over three spacious storeys. 

Beloved for its bayside beauty, bountiful seafood and proximity to the spoils of the Bellarine, Portarlington is an ever-popular seaside destination. The extensive amenities of Geelong are also within a scenic 30-minute drive, on a route dotted with olive groves and wineries. With its prime peninsula location, abundant space and inimitable character, promise is plentiful for this one-of-a-kind site, where more than 150 years of history awaits to be taken into the modern age.

In conjunction with Jellis Craig Geelong, Marcus Falconer 0413 493 901