A large parcel of the old Echuca post office set to go under the hammer

Built for just £12,000 in 1879, with a 20.7-metre bell tower added at the request of the local council – together with a 386-kilogram bell for the clock that was, at the time, the largest bell ever cast in the colony – the building’s sale is already attracting interest.

“We’ve had quite a few inquiries already in the first week from Victoria, Queensland and NSW,” said Ryan Amler, Ray White commercial Oakleigh manager, who’s selling the property. “It’s an iconic building in Echuca with a long history and so much potential for the future.”

The building was built in 1858, but has been adapted for modern times. Photo: Supplied

The building originally replaced Echuca’s first national school and housed the post office, postmaster’s residence and two government departments.

Back then it serviced the rapidly expanding town, founded on the importance of paddlesteamers carting wool, wheat, timber and livestock to its river port to then be loaded on to the train to Melbourne.

The town, and its post office, assumed national prominence in 1984 with the popular TV series All The Rivers Run, starring Sigrid Thornton and John Waters.

“The old post office is a beautiful old building and a very important part of Echuca and its history,” said Dot Hammond, president of the Echuca Historical Society. “It played such an important role in the town and is a building still very much loved by locals.”

Others fell in love with it too. In 2001, Melbourne couple Carolyn and Bob Campbell were visiting the town and heard that Australia Post were replacing some older post offices with retail shopfronts, and put in a tender to buy the CBD building. They were successful and renovated and refurbished it – as well as the clock – to provide a café and hairdressing salon, apartments and a home for themselves.

Today, the premises, on Anstruther Street, operates as four separate strata titles, with three now being offered for sale: an area of 430 square metres with commercial 1 zoning, which includes the main atrium of the former post office, which used to be the sorting office and could operate as a function room, an outdoor paved dining space with its own bar area and three bedrooms with ensuites. All are currently under lease to a café and wine bar, called Café 3564, earning a combined net rental return of $60,480 a year, with a fixed 10 per cent annual increase.

It has been the centre of the town for generations. Photo: Supplied

Ray White commercial/industrial sales and leasing consultant Josh Colosimo said other parts of the building may also be for sale to the highest bidder, subject to private negotiation.

“It’s in such an attractive location, right in the epicentre of Echuca so there will never be a problem finding tenants to lease any of the spaces,” he said. “Also, the presentation of the building and its history are also very attractive. There’ll never be any shortage of tenants, and the rental returns are good.”

Ryan Amler agrees. “We’re expecting a 5 per cent to 5.5 per cent return,” he said.

“There’s so much potential with the building. The atrium could be a function centre or could be extended with a commercial kitchen and the rooms can be let as Airbnb or rental accommodation.”

Locals are gearing up for the December 14 auction, hoping for a good outcome. Daniel Mackrell, president of the Echuca Moama Business and Trades Association, as well as a councillor for the local Campaspe Shire Council, said: “The Old Echuca Post Office provides a chance to purchase a piece of history and is a landmark building within the CBD.

“The Echuca Moama Business community looks forward to seeing it continue as a multi-faceted building that over a long period of time has supported a variety of businesses. And if an entrepreneurial individual or group acquire the building, the community would embrace them – Echuca is always open to new investment!”