Cockatoo: Graffitied mansion in Melbourne’s southeast nearly sells, among state’s abandoned homes awaiting new owners

650 Woori Yallock Rd, Cockatoo - for herald sun real estate

The graffiti-covered mansion at 650 Woori Yallock Rd, Cockatoo, was put on the market in 2024.

An abandoned mansion in Melbourne’s outer southeast, described as the perfect setting for a zombie movie, is one of the many derelict Victorian homes waiting for a new owner in 2025.

Listed for sale last April, the 14-room house at 650 Woori Yallock Rd, Cockatoo, has a

$900,000-$990,000 price tag.

Ranges First National Real Estate Belgrave and Cockatoo director Mick Dolphin said the mansion’s online listing was temporarily removed in December after a potential new owner put in an offer to buy the quirky address, for a sum within the asking range.

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“She absolutely loves it and has got a lot of plans about what she would like to do,” Mr Dolphin said.

However, the distinctive-looking mansion is now back on the market as the woman hopes to sell one of her own properties, before she can buy the Cockatoo property.

Mr Dolphin described the three-level home as a local icon, often photographed for social media and located in a prominent position that many residents drove past.

Mr Dolphin had the listing when the 5.26ha block last sold for $580,000, almost a decade ago.

The family who purchased at the time ended up shelving their plans to establish a farm.

The brown brick home, featuring a turret-style external staircase and portico, has since fallen into disrepair with graffiti covering its interior and exterior, plus greenery growing through broken windows.

When it was put on the market earlier this year, Mr Dolphin described the house as perfect for shooting a zombie apocalypse movie, saying the eye-catching residence was originally built by a couple who immigrated from Europe.

Inside the mansion where plants have grown through the windows.

The house features four ensuites, a portico, large entry way and spacious courtyard, while the abode’s three balconies offer views of the surrounding valleys and hills.

They had hoped for a family but did not end up having children, and lived at the home for years, but never got around to finishing the build.

The property was also formerly leased to a paintball operator who used it for an exhibition event.

The perfect setting for a paintball exhibition or zombie film.

According to local folklore, the property’s former residents operated a chicken farm.

Mr Dolphin said he had received hundreds of inquiries about the residence since it went up for sale in April 2024, with some potential buyers floating the idea of setting up a reception centre, street art museum or accommodation for homeless people – although any of these proposals would depend on council approval.

“I get calls on it every day,” Mr Dolphin said.

The former home recorded a whopping 143,000 views on realestate.com.au in 2024, making it the most-viewed Australian property last year.

388 Ferrars Street, Albert Park, was built in 1880. It sold at a November auction.

The previous owner bought the home in 1977, records show.

The Cockatoo abode is not the only rundown Melbourne home to get some love last year.

In November, a dilapidated Victorian-era house in Albert Park sold for $170,000 above its $1.05m reserve price at auction.

The three-bedroom house at 388 Ferrars St fetched $1.22m, after five bidders competed for the keys.

Following the auction, BigginScott Richmond director Andrew Crotty said the house was in a location “second to none”, near the beach, South Melbourne’s Clarendon St shops and Albert Park Lake.

95 Ella Grove, Chelsea, Vic - for herald sun real estate

The four-bedroom house at 95 Ella Grove, Chelsea, also sold in 2024. Listing photos show a dirt bike parked in the kitchen …

… and grass growing in the pool.

Also last August, a “coastal diamond in the rough” at 95 Ella Grove, Chelsea, fetched $850,500.

The rubbish-filled house attracted more than 30,000 online views at realestate.com.au in its first week on the market.

Listing photos showed a dirt bike parked in the kitchen, a bottle of fertiliser among the containers left on a bathroom sink and grass growing in the outdoor pool.

The One Agency’s Cameron Howe said the house’s Sydney-based owner had only briefed him on their expectations for the sale – leaving a mystery as to how the residence came to be in a state of disrepair.

Mr Howe said that he had decided not to shy away from revealing how the home looked in its advertising photos.

26 Napoleon St, Greendale - for herald sun real estate

About 20km from Bacchus Marsh, a former recreation hall at 26 Napoleon St, Greendale, is for sale.

It could be described as a renovator’s dream.

Other dilapidated residential addresses still on the market include a 4046sq m site at 26 Napoleon Street, Greendale, with a derelict recreation hall upon it.

Priced at $395,000-$405,000 plus GST, the property is “close to the local pub” according to the listing.

Greendale is a town in the Shire of Moorabool, 81km north west of Melbourne.

First National Rayner Bacchus Marsh’s Lachlan Taffe and Hannah Smith are managing the sales campaign.

26 Inkerman St, Maryborough - for herald sun real estate

26 Inkerman St, Maryborough, has a $270,000 price tag.

Tyres, a bicycle and chairs remain inside the house.

Further away from Victoria’s capital, a one-bedroom house at 26 Inkerman St, Maryborough, that looks like it has seen better days is for sale with a $270,000 price tag.

The home’s listing suggests it “may suit experienced renovators to roll up their sleeves or those looking to clear and develop the block”.

Inspection is “recommended to view the challenge ahead”.

Maryborough First National Real Estate’s Brandon Solomano has the listing.

15 Newall St, Marnoo - for herald sun real estate

The shed at 15 Newall St, Marnoo, was built in the 1920s.

The town of Marnoo is located between Horsham and St Arnaud.

In the small town of Marnoo, east of the South Australian border, a 2023sq m block with a wooden shed erected in 1923 awaits a new owner.

Priced at just $90,000, 15 Newall St also features a derelict three-bedroom weatherboard house.

About 13km from Bendigo, a 2941sq m site at 53 Sawmill Rd, Huntly, that’s home to multiple derelict buildings, including a house where with a partially-collapsed wall, is priced at $360,000.

Elders Real Estate Bendigo’s Patrick Skahill has the listing.