WILD DOG VALLEY

65 Acres | Creek Frontage | Spring-Fed Lake | 1hr 50min from Melbourne

A sanctuary at the end of the road.

For almost two decades, this 65-acre property in Wild Dog Valley has served as the private escape for one Melbourne family.

Now, it's looking for its next custodian.

The property sits near the end of a quiet no-through road in the Strzelecki Ranges. When you turn the engine off, the silence and cool air arrive like a blessing. Then the birdsong begins—shrike thrush, frogs from the dam, the rustle of wind in the trees. Your feet hit soft green grass. Your whole body exhales.

This has not been used as a farm in the commercial sense, nor is it a home. It is something rarer: a 65-acre base camp and sanctuary where the water runs clear year-round, the weeds and pasture are managed by a neighbour’s cattle, and shelter is provided by a repurposed shearing shed that keeps the rain off while letting the soul in.

The Land

Sixty-five acres, but feeling a lot larger due to the storybook topography.

The property reveals itself in layers. Significant gently undulating pasture surrounds the barn; these flat expanses are suited to soccer, archery, long lunches, or simply watching children run. This is easy terrain for all ages.

The remainder slopes more dramatically into forested gullies full of ferns, creeks, and wildlife. Those willing to explore will find a landscape that feels closer to New Zealand than typical Victorian farmland. The topography creates a sense of enclosure and privacy. You are held by the valley.

The Water

Water was the deciding factor when the current owners bought this property in 2008. They wanted something to swim in. Wild Dog has two beautiful water features—and they have never run dry.

  • The Creek: A permanent creek runs the full length of the property, nearly a kilometre, tumbling over mossy rocks. The closest swimming spot is just 80 metres from the barn—a quick dip on a summer evening. Platypus are seen here by patient observers.

  • The Lake: An 800-metre walk from the barn. Spring-fed and crystal clear—not a muddy dam. Surrounded by reeds, it is suitable for swimming laps or paddling a canoe.

The Barn

There is no house on this property. The structure is a 200-square-metre shearing shed—a Class 10a agricultural building—that has been given some love and works as the ultimate base for weekend camping.

It has mains power, a wood heater, hot water, a fridge, and space for hanging out, staying cool in summer, and staying dry when it rains. There's a couch. There's a fire. And there are decks looking out over the surrounding land.

Is it rustic? Yes. It is not a house and doesn't pretend to be. But it is a waterproof, power-connected haven. When the Strzelecki rains sweep in—and they do—you have shelter. This means that those torrential downpours that usually wipe out your camping weekend can be salvaged—replaced by cosy indoor time.

The Arrangement (Low Maintenance)

Perhaps the most valuable feature for a time-poor buyer is what you don't have to do.

Through informal arrangements, there is always a local farmer who is happy to run cattle on the property. In exchange for grazing rights, the farmer manages the weeds and maintains the pasture.

"It's a handshake deal that has worked for seventeen years," the owner says. "We get the farmland without owning a tractor." Of course, if you’re keen to run your own cattle or sheep, that is an option too.

The Wildlife

The water draws the wildlife. This is a place where animals show up at the doorstep—not something you go looking for. Wombats are everywhere. Koalas in the manna gums. Platypus swimming in pairs in the creek. Wallabies on the slopes. Swallows darting over the lake.

Connectivity & Access

  • The Drive: Approximately one hour and fifty minutes from inner Melbourne. Freeway to Warragul, then the scenic Warragul-Korumburra Road. The final stretch is gravel but well-maintained—standard city cars make the trip without issue.

  • Internet: NBN connected. The current owner runs a consulting practice and regularly works via Zoom from the property. Fast internet, slow pace.

Zoning & "Grand Designs"

The property is zoned Farming Zone and sits in the 10–100 acre band, which means a planning permit is required to build a house.

The owner is candid: approval is possible but difficult. Council has approved dwellings here before; those decisions were overturned on appeal. If your primary goal is to build a grand architectural home, this may not be the right property.

If your goal is an immediate escape—a base camp for reconnecting with nature, with fast internet by the fire and platypus in the creek—this is it.

Why It's For Sale

The honest answer: a separation. The property was bought by three friends in their late twenties. Over the years, as lives changed, people moved on. For the last several years it's been held by two, and now they are separating.

"I wouldn't sell it if I didn't have to. It's painful—like a funeral for a beautifully lived life. But it's time for someone else to write the next chapter."

The Details

  • Location: Wild Dog Valley, Strzelecki Ranges (approx. 1hr 50min from Melbourne)

  • Land: 65 acres (pasture, forested gully, heritage apple orchard)

  • Infrastructure: 200sqm shearing shed "barn" (mains power, water, wood fire, basic camp setup)

  • Water: Spring-fed lake, 1km creek frontage (permanent water)

  • Connectivity: NBN connected

  • Zoning: Farming Zone (no current residential permit)

  • Price: Offers over $600,000

  • Inclusions: Chattels negotiable—property can be offered with existing furniture and equipment.

Who This Is For

This property is not for you if you want manicured lawns or a house you can move into tomorrow. It is for you if you want a private storybook wonderland to explore with friends and children, or the ultimate sanctuary to retreat to.

Enquiries:

Sean O’Carroll

sean@wild-mind.com

0415 637 669