Australian property relics: What they are now decades on

The buildings have stood the test of time but the old schools, factories, police stations and community centres that once operated from them have been lost as their towns and suburbs have evolved.

They could have been forgotten and left to rot but instead many of these property relics are being appreciated for their historic significance and preserved.

Today, those that have been cared for or restored to their former glory make for unique homes and businesses.

Here are some of the best on the market from around the country.

RELATED: What SA’s property relics look like now

South Australia

19 Railway Pde, Kapunda.

The Station at Kapunda was considered the most significant railway station north of Adelaide when it was built in 1860.

It has since been transformed into a luxury property for group accommodation and celebratory events.

The two-storey building has seven rooms and two bathrooms, with several living areas and a large kitchen over two floors, as well as a pool among a picturesque garden.

But it’s the old railway platform that’s arguably its best feature, where a long table can be set for up to 100 people.

19 Railway Pde, Kapunda.

24 & 26 Seaview Rd, Victor Harbor.

These Victor Harbor residences – No. 24 of which was built around 1890 while No. 26 came later in 1928 – were constructed and owned by different people before they became the Coolock Catholic School.

The Catholic Sisters of Mercy initially purchased No. 26 and turned it into the Mercy Convent before it became recognised as the school in 1940.

The adjacent house, No. 24, was later acquired to expand the school and create a home-away-from-home for boarding students.

Today, the pair are connected by a breezeway and are therefore considered one residence with 11 bedrooms, but they are on separate titles so have the potential to be split.

24 & 26 Seaview Rd, Victor Harbor.

New South Wales

1464 Cobargo Bermagui Rd, Cobargo.

It’s a quirky home now but this Cobargo property’s history dates back to 1927 when it was built to be a butter factory.

Some of the rooms in the main building have been renovated to offer more modern living standards but others, including the space where the butter churners used to operate, have been left in their more ‘rustic’ state.

In addition to the old factory building, the 2.02ha property also has a shed that has been converted into living space and another smaller structure with a bathroom and laundry.

1464 Cobargo Bermagui Rd, Cobargo.

14 Bridge St, Windsor.

Closer to the city, this Windsor Italianate building has been repurposed several times since it was constructed in 1861.

It was originally a community building used for social, recreational and educational purposes, with Windsor Council holding their meetings there between 1874 and 1876.

Pavilion wings were added after 1900 then it was converted into a community centre until 1947 when it became a boot factory.

Today, Blakes Music, a tuition and sales business that has been based there since 1999, tenants the building with The Ballet School Australia.

14 Bridge St, Windsor

Victoria

1082 Nepean Highway, Highett.

It looks like a run-of-the-mill, dated residential building from the outside but this property was actually once a police station.

While the Highett station was decommissioned in the 1990s, it still has the original jail cell in the backyard.

With barred windows and a weathered door, the holding cell is both an intriguing and chilling reminder of its past.

For those keen – and brave – enough to snap it up, it has five bedrooms and two bathrooms spanning two floors.

1082 Nepean Highway, Highett.

4 Arthur Rd, Cockatoo.

Fans of Melbourne’s ‘red rattlers’ will love this property in the town of Cockatoo.

The Tait train, a historic type of electric train introduced in 1910, has been restored but it is now a home.

It has two bedrooms, a open-plan living and dining area, as well as a fully renovated bathroom and laundry with a bath.

The entire carriage is protected by a full-length roof to ensure all the hard work of restoring it isn’t destroyed by wild weather.

4 Arthur Rd, Cockatoo.

Queensland

37 Roden St, Keppel Sands.

The Savoy was designed to stand the test of time – and that it has.

The Keppel Sands property has stood since 1945, built to be a dance hall and movie theatre.

Crafted from spotted gum and crows’ ash, the light-coloured timber dance floor still shows where seats were once lined up for movies.

A local artist purchased the building in 2001 and has spent the past 20-plus years restoring it to its former glory with heritage-approved materials – even after its roof was damaged by Tropical Cyclone Marcia in 2015.

37 Roden St, Keppel Sands.

34 Werna St, Winton.

A youth centre in the outback town of Winton is in need of a buyer willing to breathe new life into it.

Its date of construction is unknown but certain features of the timber building, which has recently been cladded, suggest it was built some time ago – namely its detailed ceiling.

Inside there are two large rooms, one of which includes a kitchen, while two toilets and shower facilities are in a separate building at the rear of the property.

While dated, the property is neat and tidy, suggesting it has been well looked-after.

34 Werna St, Winton.

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