142 Richards Road, Castlemaine, Vic 3450

Privately set within its 2.5 acres (approx) of beautiful park-like landscape, this five-bedroom, two-storey home is grand living at its best. A home that captures the beauty of the outside with all windows framing the garden and surrounding like works of art. A short drive from Castlemaine's retail and amenities, the train station, schools, walking and bike tracks, the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens and the Pony Club all help to make this the ideal home for country living with town convenience.

The formal front garden makes for a grand entrance. The grounds welcome you with an array of ornamental trees, buddleias, native planting, and private sitting areas. The floorplan features a formal entry with under-stairs storage, a spacious lounge with a large bay window and sliding doors to a north-facing courtyard. The dining has sliding doors to the 13m x 7.4 alfresco area that overlooks the generous back garden and a space for the entertainer with provisions for a potential outdoor kitchen. Adjoining the dining is a light-filled north-facing sunroom, the perfect spot to sit, relax, read and admire the garden. The kitchen provides a SMEG 900mm freestanding gas cooktop with an oven (bottled gas), a two-drawer dishwasher, a walk-in pantry, and storage and the wrap-around bench allows for bar-style seating. Completing the ground floor plan are a walk-in linen closet, a powder room, a laundry and a multi-faceted room ideal as a fifth bedroom or home office. This space has private external access, making the option for multi-generational living or private consultation achievable.

Stairs lead to the second level with a sitting area overlooking the front garden and surrounding landscape and to the four bedrooms. The main bedroom has a walk-in robe and an ensuite with a shower, vanity and toilet. Three further bedrooms have walk-in robes, views of the garden and a bathroom features a spa bath, a shower, a vanity and a separate toilet. Design details of this master-built home include evaporative cooling, ground floor in-slab heating, split systems, ceiling fans, a laundry chute, and the alfresco area has hot and cold water plumbed ready for an outdoor kitchen.

A circular drive wraps around a manicured hedge before leading to the double 6m x 6m garage with external access to the alfresco area. The rear private garden seamlessly blends into its surroundings and features a secret garden planted with pretty perennials, and a fire pit makes for an additional entertaining area. Lush green grass extends into the paddock with its kangaroo and rabbit-proof fencing separating it from the garden. Side drive-way access with a secure gate leads to a 9m x 13.5m garage/ workshop set up for the car enthusiast or one looking for storage space. The property also provides a third 3m x 9m garage, a 6m x 9m machinery shed and room to park a caravan, boat or horse float. A one-acre (approx) fenced paddock is ideal for a horse lover or hobby farmer and features established gum trees and a chicken pen.

This beautifully presented home provides a multi-faceted space inside and out. The generous floorplan and grounds allow room to entertain, relax, play, work and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the garden and surrounding countryside, making this grand living at its finest.