Bruce Dixon splashes $14m to buy Victorian retreat of former model Rachel Perrin

Pub king Bruce Dixon, who has just sold the majority of his empire for $1.4bn, has purchased the Victorian retreat of former model and Elucell director Rachel Perrin for around $14m.

River access is a prime feature of the Mitchellstown property.

Pub king Bruce Dixon, who has just sold the majority of his empire for $1.4bn, has purchased the Victorian retreat of former model and Elucell director Rachel Perrin for around $14m.

It is understood Mr Dixon will add the Mitchellstown property, 134km northeast of Melbourne, to his burgeoning rural portfolio which includes Macedon Lodge, a thoroughbred property purchased in 2020 for more than $20m from Lloyd Williams.

Mr Dixon, is also about to settle on the $1.4bn sale of Australian Venue Co, a business with approximately 250 pubs to PAG.

He will however retain a large shareholding in Australian Venue Co.

The property was listed for offers over $14m. Picture: Supplied

Mr Dixon declined to comment on his acquisition of the Mitchellstown property but it is understood he will use the lucerne (alfalfa) from the former Perrin holding at the Macedon thoroughbred training facility one hour away.

The Mitchellstown property was listed with Nick Myer of Elders with an asking price of more than $14m.

The 114ha property has 1km of frontage to the Goulburn River and has been used to fatten Angus steers, grow lucerne and organic fruit and vegetables.

Near neighbours of the property Perrin purchased in 2015 include one of Australia’s oldest wineries directly across the Goulburn – Tahbilk – as well as Mitchelton Winery.

Swettenham, Yulong, and Gilgai thoroughbred studs are also in the immediate neighbourhood

Rachel Perrin.

Inside the Wattlevale Rd property.

Improvements include a lavish three-bedroom homestead with a sauna, two living spaces, an open fire place, underfloor hydronic heating plus an office.

There is a chef’s kitchen with La Canche ovens and sous vide bath, a cold room and separate walk-in pantry, plus a four-car garage. There’s also a large outdoor kitchen and living space with pizza oven, barbecue, open fireplace and dining for 20 people, along with a pool, spa and large deck.

There is a separate guest barn with two bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, a garage and art studio.

The property is 114 hectares with around 1km of frontage to the Goulburn River. Picture: Airswing media / Supplied

There’s a large machinery shed and woodsheds on the property as well as full irrigation, an orchard with more than a dozen varieties of fruit trees, a jetty and ramp on the Goulburn River.

Cattle yards as well as seven dams and post and rail fencing are included. Perrin is a keen artist and portrait painter.

Ms Perrin bought the property in 2015 as an old vineyard and had redeveloped it as a potential cattle or thoroughbred stud by 2019.

The property is 114 hectares with around 1km of frontage to the Goulburn River. It has been used to fatten Angus steers, grow lucerne and crops, and organic fruit and vegetables.

A keen artist and portrait painter, Rachel worked with local architect Paul Ranson to design the buildings, and designer Danielle Brustman to finish interiors.

Originally published as Bruce Dixon splashes $14m to buy Victorian retreat of former model Rachel Perrin