Original waterfront beach shack in tightly held pocket has $6m price tag

In the coastal town of Barwon Heads, next to Ocean Grove, properties remain in families for generations. But with some long-term locals moving into aged care, an exciting opportunity has opened up.

Of around 25 properties on the riverfront in Barwon Heads, the laid-back beach town on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsular, only around six are old homes.

Most original houses have long been replaced by large, modern ones that dominate the shoreline.

The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property at 49 Flinders Parade, Barwon Heads was last renovated around a quarter of a century ago — but that hardly matters.

Any waterfront home up for grabs along this prized stretch of coastline is a big deal.

“Up on the Gold Coast, people build places on the water to sell them. That just doesn’t happen here. These are generational homes that people keep,” said agent Levi Turner at Bellarine Property.

Occupying a 639sqm block with 16m of absolute waterfront, the two-storey house on Flinders Parade enjoys sweeping vistas across the Barwon River to the bridge, bluff and Ocean Grove.

“You get views of the water from pretty much every room. You walk out the back gate and you’re on the sand, then you can just walk into town along the beach, which is pretty cool,” Mr Turner said.

The property is being offered via a six-week expressions of interest campaign, with a guide price of $5.8m-$6.3m.

While the median house price in Barwon Heads sits at $1.44 million, riverfront homes can fetch up to $9 million.

Dated yet full of character, the home features a highly flexible floor plan. The entry opens to a family area that leads to an open-plan kitchen, living and dining space. This flows out to a sheltered, east-facing terrace and lawn, which simply slips into the water.

The ground level includes two possible bedrooms and a rumpus room, while upstairs there are three more bedrooms. Outside, there’s a garage and a store room.

Mr Turner said the property “may not be ultra-modern but it’s in fine condition”.

Though he expects it will eventually be knocked down and rebuilt like others along the river.

The current owners, who are leaving their beloved home and moving into aged care, are quoted in the listing as saying that “waking up to the sunrise over the river never loses its magic”.

“The water feels like an extension of our backyard — we can kayak, swim or just sit and watch the tides roll in. It’s a lifestyle that feels like a holiday every day,” they add.

Mr Turner said there had been steady interest from locals looking to upgrade in the area.

“We’ve had about three people go through it, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but at $6 million, you’re not going to be inundated with buyers in our town.

“Of those, two are genuinely interested and both already have a property in Barwon Heads,” he added.

“People just love this area.”

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