Melbourne professionals trade boltholes for business bases on the Surf Coast

Landscape designer Stephen Powell grew up in Melbourne’s bayside area and has lived in NSW, WA and north-east Queensland.

But when it came time to raise his young family in the 1990s, he knew exactly where he wanted to be: Victoria’s Surf Coast.

Stretching from Torquay to Lorne, the Surf Coast is home to some of Australia’s most inspiring coastal scenery, as well as playing host to the country’s best-known surfing breaks.

Every Easter the world’s top surfers descend on Bells Beach to vie for the prestigious Bell trophy at the Rip Curl Pro, the longest-running world-championship-level contest on the World Tour.

“I’ve been coming down here since the early 1970s and I thought it was a good area to bring up kids,” Powell says. “And I’m a surfer so that was a big drawcard.

The area caters for all levels of surfing and between my sons and myself we have all won the state championships at different ages.”

Room to grow

Powell, who lives in Torquay, says the region has a similar feel to Bayside in the 1960s and has proven a great location to grow his business, Stephen Powell Landscape.

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“Initially I was going back to Melbourne two to three times a week for work, now I’d be lucky to go three times a year.

“We’re only 20 minutes from Geelong, our second-largest regional city, which is really growing, and I get lots of work there.”

His adult children have also found work in the region – one a radiographer and the other an engineer – and are looking to settle into their own homes.

Geelong is only a 20 minute drive for those living in Torquay. Photo: Darrian Traynor

McCartney Real Estate agent Tim Carson says the local market attracts a broad demographic from young families all the way through to retirees.

“It’s a safe place and a great place to bring up kids,” he says. “There are lots of opportunities for schooling, and there’s the new Epworth Hospital and new shopping complex in Waurn Pond, plus the Deakin University.”

Carson says a lot of buyers move to the Surf Coast because of its access to Melbourne, a one hour and 20 minute commute via the new West Gate freeway, while others invest in weekenders.

Buying in

7 Seahaven Place, Jan Juc is for sale. Photo: Supplied

There’s plenty to love in homes that dot the Surf Coast but 7 Seahaven Place, Jan Juc has a distinctive allure.

A striking design by Idle Architecture Studio and north-facing ocean views set the home apart from its neighbours, and earn it a lofty $3.9 million to $4.2 million price guide.

The luxurious get-away has attracted plenty of interest from Melbourne buyers as well as enquiries from Brisbane and Sydney.

“We don’t get a lot of listings at this level,” agent Tim Carson says. “This is beyond doubt one of the best homes to ever come onto the market in the Surf Coast Region with absolutely no expense spared.”

The home has seen plenty of interstate interest. Photo: Supplied

The property is a five-minute drive from the beach and offers polished concrete floors, marine ply joinery and a Corian kitchen with a Wolf oven.

It comes with hydronic gas heating, zoned air-conditioning, an integrated sound system and a pool.