Historic Mallacoota lodge up for sale

The 1903 Karbeethong Lodge at Mallacoota remains listed by the Sydney jewellery designer Rosemary Luker and her partner, tree surgeon Russell Freeman.

The couple stumbled upon the place in 2002 looking for a room, and fell in love with the place set on an inlet halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. 

Unique Estate’s Nicolette van Wijngaarden has listed the Karbeethong Lodge on the shores of Mallacoota inlet in Victoria’s East Gippsland with $1.8 million hopes.

The coastal Edwardian retreat with views over the Bottom Lake from its Schnapper Point Drive vantage point began taking guests back in the 1920s.

During Luker's stewardship it has been restored, renovated and re-decorated the lodge which is rated 4.5 star on Trip Advisor.

The waterfront 10 bedroom guest lodge on 1.12 acres of waterfront land has hosted Australian and international guests all the way back to poet Banjo Patterson.

Cartoonist Michael Leunig was so smitten by the place he created a Mr Curly ode, featuring the lake, its fish, the moon with angels singing above the scenic location. 

Set among fruit trees, with access to a jetty, the lodge has also been featured in Country Style, Inside Out and other design magazines.

Mallacoota was like Byron Bay 30 years ago, Rosemary Luker, who also works as a Sydney financial industry communications consultant, suggests.

The town is also rumoured to have more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in Australia, given its abalone divers; and sea changers from Melbourne and Sydney, along with Canberra public servants who have weekenders.

Luker commutes occasionally to the investment from Glebe where she bought Reuss Cottage, the 145-year-old post-Regency cottage in 1994. 

The lodge has been marketed as representing a lifestyle investment opportunity for young retirees, who still want to run a profitable business and earn an income.