A rare chance to own “a bit of paradise” is up for grabs with the sale of The Basin’s famous Como Gardens property, on offer for just the second time in 147 years.
Lucky buyers will score a 650m long miniature railway with working trains and their own botanical wonderland alongside the notable home.
The expansive four-bedroom home at 79 Basin Olinda Road is for sale with $3.95m-$4.345m price hopes.
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Como Gardens, The Basin, opens for the final time this weekend
Known for its biannual open days, Como Gardens vendors George and Pat Hertel have opened the home’s gardens and vintage car museum to the public for two decades – raising money for organisations like St John Ambulance and The Basin CFA brigade.
The pair bought and built the home in 1997, but RT Edgar’s Andrew Houghton said the home’s gardens had been a notable feature in The Basin for more than a century.
“Como Gardens was originally owned by the Chandlers in 1873,” Mr Houghton said.
“They were a well-known family in The Basin, with some working in politics and horticulture. The family maintained ownership through multiple generations and developed the nursery and the gardens.”
Now, the sprawling 6ha block is on the market for a new custodian.
Mr Houghton said the property’s reputation had attracted a pool of buyers who already knew the property from visits to the open day events.
“They’ve put a lot of work into the property and with the addition of the train line and all the attractions it was a fun day out for the whole family,” he said.
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“Not only the garden, but the backdrop of the Dandenong Ranges is an amazing setting. You don’t even have to leave the property for a walk so it’s a bit of a paradise tucked away – but it’s only 40 minutes from Melbourne.”
He added the 16-car museum had also caught the interest of a number of “car buffs who know George’s collection”, with hopes of using the space for their own prized cars.
Pat Hertel said the property had been the perfect place to pursue both their interests: gardening and vintage cars.
The gardens feature a range of magnolia and prunus plants, a bird aviary, two freshwater streams and a private rainforest walk.
Expressions of interest close December 10.
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