It’s a case of old bones, and new beginnings for this handpicked selection of historical properties on the market this summer.
From long-ago post offices to banks, homesteads and hairdressers, take care of your future with these golden era finds with either thriving businesses, or untapped potential.
Scroll through our top seven picks below, and then take a wider look among 395 commercial properties mentioning ‘heritage’ for sale in Australia, and find one that’s right for you.
Stirling Street, Guildford, Western Australia
Dating back to 1897, this architectural two-storey gem in Guilford, Western Australia has had a few lives, from former cafe to garden design centre. The former Guildford Post Office awaits its next chapter – be it another cafe, wine bar, restaurant, offices, a home, or a combination of the above, the potential for transformation is enormous.
Guildford is known for its early settlement and convict history, with charming antique stores and pubs. Crafted in the Victorian Italianate architecture style under the guidance of architect John Harry Grainger (who also designed Princes Bridge in Melbourne), the 1,057-square-metre property with its operational clock tower and dual street frontage awaits a new life.
Fraser Street, Clunes, Victoria
This original bank building on a massive 1031-square-metre block harks back to 1865, and presents a pretty rare opportunity to get into a town known for its historic streetscapes, and annual book festival, with the potential to earn multiple income streams. The property boasts an ”exquisitely restored” home with an original bank vault as well as a front room that lends itself to office or commercial undertakings, plus an architecturally-designed 18-metre long artist’s studio, yoga studio, office or function/exhibition space out the back.
Live a slice of Australian goldrush history in comfort with convenience. Dream big, you would have the potential to turn it into whatever you want: a shop (it’s been a second-hand book store), short-stay accommodation, or whatever retail or office venture you fancy. Clunes is one Australia’s most original and well-preserved goldrush towns, nestled in a scenic valley just under two hours from Melbourne.
Glenora Road, Plenty, Tasmania
Roll up your sleeves and get to work at the historic homestead ‘Redlands Estate’ with its beautiful English-style garden in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley, just 45 minutes from Hobart. The idyllic property boasts the main homestead, plus cottages and further outbuildings nestled on the banks of the Plenty River, and is overflowing with tourism and agricultural potential on a single title of 103.70 hectares.
Take in the history, stay for the natural beauty and make your mark by creating a serene and wonderful new life for yourself and your family – there’s plenty of space for everyone to stay and lend a hand. Nearby there’s the Salmon Ponds and the Museum of Trout Fishing to explore, circa 1861, the oldest trout hatchery in the Southern Hemisphere, while the wider Derwent Valley is known for its fresh water resources, enjoying productive soils in addition to its lakes and rivers.
MacDonnell Street, Naracoorte, South Australia
Harking back to 1864 as Naracoorte’s first general store, The Coffee House has been updated by its current owner to show off its quality characteristics, with a complete rebuild of the interior of both buildings: The historical cafe ‘The Corner Grounds’; and the luxury B&B ‘Chalet de la Ruche’.
Take over this wonderful business on 768-square-metres, known for its good coffee and local produce and thrive knowing you’ll play a vital role in preserving the town’s history.
High Street, Yea, Victoria
A cafe with heritage pedigree, the former commercial store building dates back to 1887, and is looking for some new love to help it flourish. Operating as a cafe, restaurant and produce store with a pretty and spacious courtyard garden, you’ll feel the past around you as soon as you step in.
With diverse income streams, including catering and function space, you’ll delight the locals with room for almost 200 patrons, and lap up tourism thanks to its excellent location about 40 minutes north of Melbourne, on the way to popular Mount Buller.
Hickson Road, Millers Point/Walsh Bay, New South Wales
Pick up premium office space in Walsh Bay, an historic port on the edge of Sydney Harbour characterised by its finger wharves with stunning views, theatres, restaurants and bars. Walsh Bay is home to the Sydney Theatre Company, and the arty area will fill your cockles and then some.
Move your business into this rare heritage office digs, your staff will enjoy a high-quality fit out with timber floors and ironbark beams, and an abundance of natural light in one of Sydney’s most popular precincts, between the revitalised Barangaroo and Circular Quay. Move in straight away and enjoy excellent transport links.
Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, QLD
This stunning opportunity is teeny tiny, a 28-square-metre shop in McWhirters, one of Fortitude Valleys’ most-recognised buildings, a heritage-listed former department store. If you’ve been looking for a place to grow your hairdressing business, you’ll move into a prominent position at the entry to McWhirters retail, and make the most of the ready-to-go setup.
Or it can be quickly turned around to suit your business idea, with the centre also undergoing an upgrade to services and access points. This investment also happens to be an affordable entry level property, despite only being minutes to Brisbane’s CBD. Take advantage of high daily foot traffic and close links to public transport.
