Bendigo 3550 VIC

Phone enquiries - please quote property ID 14109

Imagine taking a journey 150 years back in time - to a place where weary travellers on their way to the prosperous Bendigo goldfields step down from their horse drawn coach to stretch their legs and spend the night. Greeted perhaps by family or friends they may relax in the beautiful gardens while the coach driver fed and watered the horses in the stables. Afterwards, the guests would go inside for a hearty meal and a cold beer or two. Later that night they can curl up in bed – warmed by the open fire and the peace and tranquillity that goes with the bush setting. In the gold-rush era of the 1860’s this is how life might have existed at this original Cobb and Co. coach overnight rest station.

One of four hotels in the immediate Kangaroo Gully area, the ‘Wait-Till-I’m-Ready’ was built in the early 1860’s from a mixture of local stone and red bricks with the roof comprising of wooden shingles . The story passed down through generations claims that the hotels name originated when a sign writer asked the busy publican for the name of the hotel, the publican responded – “wait til I’m ready”! History abounds in the stories of life on the goldfields – there are numerous mentions of this hotel - and others in the area - in the local newspaper and also in the Melbourne newspaper of the time. Several mentions of births and deaths and the resulting inquests – sometimes held within the hotel - can be read in these publications. In 1881 an article was published in the Melbourne Argus and Bendigo Advertiser newspapers reporting the suicide of the publican of this hotel. The property continued to operate as a hotel under several owners until the late 1800’s when it was sold and converted into a residential dwelling.

This property is now - sadly - up for sale by the family who has owned it since 1934. Whilst there have been some minor external additions on the house over the years, there has been very limited alterations to the main buildings since the turn of the 20th century. External features of the hotel that exist today include a well at the side of the house and an underground cellar – with the cellar having been concreted over in the 1930’s for safety. Under the rusty corrugated iron roof there is even a well preserved section of the original wooden shingle roof.

Inside, the un-restored house consists of three large bedrooms at the front, a spacious lounge/dining room and walk through passage way that leads to the bathroom/toilet and kitchen areas. At the rear of the house there are two smaller rooms that were added in the 1950’s – one being used as a laundry, the other a wood shed. To the side, there is yet another room that was used as a photographic studio and office. The main house is constructed of double thickness red brick walls built on local stone foundations. Inside, the walls are mainly covered in a thin concrete render. Ceilings are a mix of render or timber.

The property is situated on a 5800m2 parcel of land and is surrounded on two sides by Bendigo Regional Parkland. The gardens are established with a variety of old-time fruit trees – mulberry, almond, pear, apple, loquat, fig and quince. Stone laid pathways and low level stone walls surround the main building. Set away from the house at the rear are the partial remains of the stone wall structure that made up the original horse stables. On the south side of the property there are the tumbled down walls and caved in roof of a bakers and butchers shop. Although in a state of disrepair, there are many of the stones lying where they have fallen. Further behind the house and past the stone fence there is a dam which is fed from natural water run-off or by a 1 mega-litre water irrigation allowance from Coliban water.

Overall, the house is in need of extensive renovation and restoration. It would certainly suit the buyer with grand visions of re-creating the feeling and lifestyle of a bygone era. Perhaps extend the original buildings and transform the property into a bed and breakfast or maybe even a wedding reception centre.

The opportunities available here are truly limited only by your imagination. It will take a lot of hard work but as the new owner you will have a rare and rewarding opportunity to discover and restore many exciting features that this home has to offer.

This building has been part of Bendigo’s history for 150 years. Rarely does a unique property of this nature, with so many historical elements, come onto the market. Certainly this one doesn’t very often.

If, after reading the history and viewing the photos, you wish to have a closer look please call to arrange an inspection. We are inviting expressions of interest in the purchase of this property. Offers over $220,000 will be considered.

Don't let this opportunity pass you by.

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