Located in the quiet hamlet of Bullarto, Three Paddocks is a unique eco-sensitive country home nestled on a private and tranquil 15 acres only 90 minutes from Melbourne. Blending eco-smart building technology, integrity of design and a sublime and peaceful location, what more could you want?
Tim and Andrea had been looking for a weekender for a while, somewhere that they could possibly retire to one day. They were looking for something private, something built with integrity and care. Three Paddocks far exceeded their expectations; it was love at first sight. Andrea explains:
As you approach the property for the first time along the driveway you begin to wonder where is this house? Then as you crest the rise….wow! It sits so beautifully in this wonderful landscape, nestled into the slope with a commanding position overlooking the open paddocks down to the water, with the woods behind.
It’s such a perfectly peaceful spot to escape from the city. Only 90 minutes from the CBD but once you’re there it’s like another world. Its connected to the natural environment, calm and quiet with only the sounds of the birdlife. It’s a magical place.
Completed in 2013, the property is a unique, eco-sensitive, energy efficient lodge house featuring extensive use of recycled timber. The house is built using environmentally sustainable Timbercrete which, together with fully double-glazed windows and doors, provide exceptional levels of thermal insulation. This keeps the property naturally cool in summer and, with the feature wood fire and hydronic heating, cosy warm in winter.
Inside, the cleverly crafted interiors feature bespoke cabinetry and extensive use of recycled timber, designed to minimise environmental impact. Earthy toned soft furnishings layer beautifully to create a warm and inviting space to relax and recharge whilst enjoying views of the valley and native bushland beyond.
We think it’s a great example of how we can live more sustainably, without giving up any of the comforts of modern life. A state-of-the-art solar / battery system provides the electricity (with an automatic back-up generator, just in case). Water is collected from the fresh mountain rainfall and the wood fire provides hydronic heating throughout the house in winter. You can choose to switch off from the modern world but high-speed satellite NBN Internet is there when you need it!
The property is made to be shared and enjoyed. Four large and beautifully styled calming bedrooms feature added flexibility with king split beds, making Three Paddocks the ideal getaway for families, couples, girls weekends and friends to reconnect. It’s a perfect escape from the city for families or groups of friends. The pressures of busy lives are lifted as you relax in comfort, share good food and connect with the natural environment.
The location is perfect; far enough from the main road for complete tranquillity but the many attractions of Daylesford, Hepburn Springs and lovely Trentham village are only a few minutes away. Stock up with provisions from the local farmer’s markets and a bottle (or two) of red and settle in for a weekend of good food and good company.
Alternatively, the house is a great base from which to explore all the wonderful things the region has to offer. The well-known Passing Clouds winery is just up the road in the next-door hamlet of Musk, with great food and a cellar door. If country pubs are more your scene, the brilliant, quirky Radio Springs Hotel is just a short distance in the other direction in Lyonville and the Cosmo in Trentham and Farmers Arms on the way into Daylesford are well worth a visit.
For the more energetic, there are literally endless options for walking in the forest and country lanes around the area. Bordering the Wombat State Forest on two sides, you can walk straight onto the forest paths from the property. Bullarto is also close to the Lerderderg Track branch of the Great Dividing Trail which offers more challenges for the serious hiker.
Bring your bikes if you’d like to venture further afield. Explore the local network of gravel backroads over to Daylesford (and access to the Goldfields Track) or to Lyonville and the Domino Rail Trail to Trentham. For mountain bikers, there are literally hundreds of km of forest roads and single track to explore, from an easy cruise to challenging and technical trails for the more experienced rider.
Tim and Andrea hope you’ll share in some of the things they love about this place. Enjoy memorable times with good friends. Breath the fresh air, relax in comfortable surroundings and reconnect with a slower pace away from the pressures of the city. Explore the local area and sample all that it has to offer.
When we come to stay, we like to just relax, escape and take in the country atmosphere, walk on the property and in the forest beyond. We love to cook and eat well and enjoy sampling the abundant local produce. Above all the house is about great company and sharing memorable times with friends and family. That might be a conversation over good food and wine, walking in the woodland or board games in front of the cosy wood fire in winter. There’s also much to experience in the surrounding area. Whether it’s indulging in some pampering at one of the many spa’s, browsing local markets, a county pub or a high-end restaurant, the local area has it all.
For city folk and visitors from overseas, Three Paddocks might be your Australian wildlife experience. Kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats share the property. Native birdlife includes kookaburras, herons and flame robins; if you’re lucky you might spot wedge-tailed eagles soaring overhead.
Spending more time in Bullarto, we’ve also discovered a warm and welcoming local community. Whether it’s farming families who’ve been here for generations, tree changers or weekend blow-ins from the city like us, everyone has a smile and time for a chat. So give people a wave and say hello to the locals when you’re out and about.
