Ocean Grove bush block transformed into resort-style oasis with knockout infinity pool, two Airbnb cabins
In a labour of love by a fourth generation Victorian family, an overgrown property has been converted into an incredible estate with two additional cabins that’s moments from the foreshore.
In a labour of love by a fourth generation Ocean Grove family, an overgrown “bush block” has been transformed into a resort-style oasis just moments from the foreshore.
Owner Steph King’s father and grandfather ran a local real estate agency in the coastal hamlet for more than 60 years, in which time they sold the bare 5796sq m property at 12 Woodlands Drive to its only other owners – a family who built a home on the block in the 1970s.
RELATED: Builder’s own shingle-clad home sells for $3.5m in Ocean Grove
Beachside Ocean Grove block could deliver record payday
Barbie’s new pink Malibu DreamHouse listed on Airbnb for free
After 50 years, the property made its way back to King’s family when she and husband Jason came into its ownership.
The couple embarked on a complete renovation of both the original house and the sprawling gardens, landscaped by their award-winning design firm King’s Gardens and Pools.
This now includes a concrete infinity pool and spa set among the lush greenery, a grass tennis court, golf putting green, and extensive woodland gardens surrounded by more than 100-year-old native Bellarine yellowgum trees.
They also upgraded the property’s two self-contained cedar cabins, built by local carpentry students at Geelong’s Gordon TAFE school and craned into position, which have operated as a boutique Airbnb, The Woods, for the past seven years.
“Each cabin swallows you up with its earthy textures and tones, high quality linen and interior styling by me, collected and layered over the years but always with a reference to the incredible natural setting and towering gumtrees overhead,” says King.
“(The design) really stemmed from all of my overseas travel in my 20s … I was always in charge of booking accommodation and the ones that resonated with me had sort of a homely feel.”
The cabins are accessed via a separate driveway and each feature a kitchenette, ensuite and outdoor claw foot bathtub with an overhead copper shower, in addition to a communal outdoor kitchen with a barbecue, pizza oven and fire pit.
There’s also a “secret” garden behind one of the cabins, entered from a gate which opens out to the flourishing greenery and a “quiet lounging space” with a hammock.
“Our guests love the garden and nature and they all write in the guest book that they love the bird life,” King says.
“Most of them are couples from Melbourne who don’t get the time to just sit and linger and watch and listen.”
Inside the main four-bedroom residence, where King has lived with her husband and two children, a glamorous central kitchen features a black Falcon double oven with a Zellige-tiled splashback, 3m limestone kitchen bench, butler’s pantry and knotted European oak flooring throughout.
This opens out to the covered outdoor entertaining area, complete with a huge outdoor kitchen, recycled brick fireplace, built-in concrete barbecue and a pizza oven.
One of three cosy living rooms is found off the kitchen and features a marble fireplace, an oak timber-lined ceiling and views of the surrounding landscapes.
Another living area accesses a temperature-controlled wine cellar with storage space for about 500 bottles, as well as custom oak shelving, Filetti paved flooring, venetian wall plastering and recycled wharf timber beams that add to the rustic feel.
Ms King adds that she had loved raising her children at the tranquil property, particularly during Covid-19 lockdowns.
“Living here during Covid was a real every day ‘pinch me’ moment, just to have all this beautiful green space around us it was really like an oasis or a resort with so many amenities,” she says.
“Even just walking around the property and picking flowers and seeing different birds like parrots and cockatoos … especially during lockdown when everyone would get frustrated with each other, you’d go outside and walk around your own property and it really just brought a sense of calm and a connection to nature.”
Growth spurt — Where Aussie house prices could go by 2028: PropTrack
Now, the property has been listed with a $6.4m-$6.8m price tag with Oslo Property Geelong director Josh McDonald.
King says she plans to remain in Ocean Grove and look for their next landscaping and renovation project.
“It feels very settling to have such deep roots in one place so we’ll continue that,” she adds.
“We’ll just play to our strengths and look for the next thing, it’s quite an enjoyable process.”
Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox.
MORE: Ultra-private estate has party room for 100 guests
Grand Toorak mansion formerly owned by ‘China’s Tolkien’ Louis Cha sells
Rental scams reach highest reported number in six years as fraudsters ‘smell blood’
emily.holgate@news.com.au
Originally published as Ocean Grove bush block transformed into resort-style oasis with knockout infinity pool, two Airbnb cabins
Ex Essendon boss’ mansion may have set new Aussie house record
One of the nation’s most illustrious postcodes is abuzz with rumours of a mansion being sold for up to $150m in what could set a new record for Australia’s priciest home sale.
‘Hamburger with the lot’: Home comes loaded with resort backyard
A striking facade, high-end finishes and a resort-style backyard – this Melbourne home has it all. But, there’s one feature that has got buyers talking.
Boycott: Victoria ranked second-worst home market of past 5 years
Melbourne has been ranked one of the nation’s worst markets by an influential property research group that blames the state government for the mire. But three Vic areas have bucked the trend.