Homeowners Mary and Robert are selling their Yapeen property which features an old gold mine tunnel transformed into a wine cellar. Picture: Jake Nowakowski
A central Victorian property featuring a historic gold mine tunnel that’s been transformed into a cave-like wine cellar is set to deliver its owners a $1.695m mother lode.
Owners Robert and Mary are selling their sprawling 21.12ha home near the small town of Yapeen, 9km from Castlemaine and 28km to from Daylesford.
About three decades ago when Robert bought the bushland address named Mopoke Hill, it boasted little apart from a dirt-floored tin shed, old mine shafts and remnants of the McCanns Mine water wheel – plus amazing mountain views.
RELATED: Vic prospectors have turned bush blocks into hot property amid a new gold rush
Reality TV’S Gold Gypsies reveal what to look for if you want to find gold in Victoria
Strathmore mansion with gold toilet set to smash suburb record
The couple have since built an off-grid house in addition to digging up several tonnes of sediment from the former mine tunnel which is believed to date back to the 1860s or 1870s, following an 1850s-era gold rush in the area.
They’ve transformed the tunnel into a 100m-long passageway and cellar where they have enjoyed hosting barbecues, all while sitting almost 19m underground.
Robert said the hilltop site at 119 Rabbages Rd had been on the market for a couple of years when he first saw it.
The house features clerestory windows, a sandstone feature wall with a Cheminees Philippe fireplace in the living area and polished concrete floors.
Mary and Robert enjoying hosting family and friends in the old mining tunnel turned wine cellar, which is almost 19m under the ground. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.
Views of the surrounding trees and mountains won over Robert when he first visited the property, 30 years ago.
He put in an offer after being blown away by the surrounding treetop and Pyrenees Ranges’ panoramas, despite the lack of running water or modern facilities.
Working with architect Ian Lovell and builder Steve Cracknell, Robert constructed a house featuring sandstone he quarried on the property himself.
Mopoke Hill, which also has a separate two-bedroom cottage and a pond with a waterfall, served as a retreat from Melbourne for many years until he and Mary moved in permanently.
The entrance to the former mine passageway only hints at the large space which lies beyond.
The kitchen is equipped with a large island bench, gas cooking appliances and a dishwasher.
A two-level cottage on the property could serve as guest quarters, a teenage retreat, a studio or short-term rental accommodation.
Robert described shovelling up the rubble which had been left in the tunnel as a massive job.
“I finally managed to excavate something like 40 or 50 tonnes with a pick and shovel and a little ride-on mower with a little skip behind it,” he said.
“And then having got right into the end I thought, ‘This is a good place for a cellar’.”
Even on a 40 degree day, the space remains cool and comfortable, he added.
Robert joked that after deciding to sell, he “drunk the cellar dry”.
Robert quarried the sandstone featured in the walls and paving himself.
Enjoy the serenity of country life while located just a 15 to 20 minute drive to Daylesford.
The bathroom with a floor-to-ceiling window looking out to bushland, plus a freestanding bath and shower.
While he has not found any gold at Mopoke Hill, a friend who enjoys searching for the precious metal discovers a few small pieces whenever he visits.
Belle Property’s Blasi Mulholland said buyers had been “pretty wowed” by the tunnel and its sense of history.
“I think this is a lifestyle property which would suit people who appreciate a bit of space and working from home could be an option too or who want a weekend retreat from Melbourne,” Ms Mulholland added.
The residence’s off-grid system includes 24 batteries, a solar hot water and generator back up, and 130,000 litres of water storage across two tanks.
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: Famous The Castle house saved after $140,000, seven-year fight