The Block 2025: New photos of the Daylesford site as the cast embrace the town

Regular Sunday night roast dinners at the local pub, purchasing locally made homewares and artworks – this year’s batch of The Block contestants are well and truly embracing life in the popular tree-change town of Daylesford, Victoria.

Filming of the 21^st season of the hit reality renovation program began in March and the new cast of Blockheads are overhauling five homes, which will form a new neighbourhood within Hygge Property’s Middleton Field new housing estate, located at the regional town’s eastern entry point.

Belle Property Daylesford principal Will Walton – whose company sold the sprawling site for an undisclosed sum to the Nine Network – told realestate.com.au the crew and contestants were interacting really well with the local community.

“It’s very noticeable who they are when they’re driving around with ‘Block’ signage on the side, and of course, all those Block fan pages keeps people up to date when they’re making a purchase at Reece plumbing,” he said.

“It seems they’ve got some very dedicated fans of the program that do a lot of sort of contestant spotting.

“Whenever the car turns up somewhere, there’s always someone pulling out their phone.”

Mitch Duncan, owner of the Farmers Arm Hotel, said his business is set to feature in the show quite a lot when it airs later this year, and each Sunday night a group of about eight come for dinner.

“We’ve just been doing a special Sunday roast for them, just to try and make them feel a bit more at home every Sunday,” he said.

“Scotty (host Scott Cam) has been over about two to three times a week, so that’s terrific.

“He is exactly how you see him on TV – he’s just a good bloke. He’s a good larrikin. He absolutely loves a beer and he is a really, really lovely guy.”

While Mr Duncan said he has yet to personally meet all of this year’s Blockheads, he said the two barbers from Adelaide were a lot of fun.

“I think they’re the guys that are going to be causing a little bit of a disturbance for the year,” he said.

Homeware lifestyle store, Cedar & Sage Daylesford joint partner Sally Collinson said her store has been visited by three different teams so far, and her shop’s very own Daylesford candle is set to feature in the winning bathroom in the first week of the show.

Other teams have purchased a Daylesford postcode candle, as well as travertine and kitchen display wares, and items for their challenges, she said.

“It has been pleasant, they are very relaxed … and they are absolutely lovely,” Ms Collinson said.

“They come in and they are just like a normal customer and browse around.

 “And from what I hear, this season is more about the renovating and not about the drama, and apparently they are all getting along really well and they support each other.”

Daylesford Trading Co. owner Gary Grach said his store has been visited a few times by contestants who have bought items for room reveals, which included Jellycat soft toys and Daylesford artist Brian Nash prints.

“We’re really excited to have The Block in Daylesford and just driving past the site, it’s looking really good at the moment – it’s really setting the tone for a great estate coming into Daylesford,” he said.

Winespeake cellar + deli owner Jen Latta said the cast and crew have visited her wine and cheese business a lot in their downtime but could not reveal if some of the occasions were part of a particular challenge.

“They’re really enjoying being in town, and we’re really enjoying having them,” she said.

 “It’s really positive from a business and from a personal standpoint, it’s always lovely to have new faces in town, and in any small way to showcase our town –  we’ve only experienced great things.”

Countdown to The Block’s TV air date  

As the months to the rumoured August debut of The Block’s 21^st season draw closer, many of the local business owners are anticipating a surge in day trip visitors keen to experience Daylesford after getting a glimpse of the regional town via the show.

In 2023, production plans to set the 2024 milestone season in Daylesford were scrapped due to locals’ complaints, and Ms Collinson said she was excited the town will finally be showcased on national television.

“It’s absolutely huge, especially for us. We hope it’s going to be really busy for us, and it’ll highlight the town as it was meant to be the year before,” she said.

 “It’ll mean a lot for us, because it’ll bring local tourists in and for a day trip, and the town will be highlighted in all its beauty.”

Mr Walton said he was looking forward to “the second wave” of benefits to the region which will occur once the series airs.

“Once the actual production is on the television, we’ll then start seeing of course, the viewership from the program deciding to get in the car and come and check the place out, which will be really good,” he said.

“The one thing that’s been really noticeable has been the sudden increase in buyer activity and the commentary we’ve been getting at open for inspections from buyers.”

Mr Duncan praised The Block for the wider benefits it has brought to the region so far.

 “I think what The Block’s done really, really well is that they’ve engaged themselves in community activities,” he said.

“I don’t know if I can tell you everything…but they’re going to get involved in revamping a couple of spaces around town that no one has touched for years and years and years.

“I think, from that point of view, they’ve really engaged themselves well with the community and people are really happy.”

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