Retired politician Peter Reith lists rural Victorian retreat

Former deputy Liberal Party leader and Howard Government minister Peter Reith and wife Kerrie are selling their Trenavin, their private getaway in rural Victoria.

The Stonyford home, which they bought a decade ago, has been their weekender for the last five years after they built a three bedroom homestead, turning it into a rural retreat.

They had a draughtsman design the house to be functional yet comfortable.

The open plan living and dining areas includes a Cheminee Phillippe feature fireplace, an open slat timber staircase which reveals a reading room.

Kerrie says Peter bought the 48 hectare estate, just over two hours from Melbourne, unseen in person.

“He was overseas working for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development at the time so it was a couple of years before he could come back to the property and work out the best design for the house.”

On weekends away from the office, the Reiths slowly transformed what was a vacant block into a private lock-and-leave home with around 16 hectares of rolling paddocks ideal for livestock. 

Ray White Rural Camperdown’s Alistair Tune is marketing the property.

“The property has been really important to us, particularly in the busier times of our careers,” Mr Reith said.

“It’s been a really special getaway where we can just sit and relax as much or as little as we want to. It’s almost nurturing, and as soon as you drive in you just feel yourself unwind. With busy lives, that’s a great feeling.” 

After stepping aside from his political commitments, Peter was recently made a member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the Australian parliament, and to the community of Victoria.

The pair (pictured below) now wish to spend their time seeing more of the world and less of it working their hobby farm, which is why they’ve decided to place it on the market.

“Peter turns 69 this year, so how much longer do we keep it for?” Ms Reith said.

“We would like more freedom to travel, but it’s been an invaluable estate for us as it’s allowed us to get back to nature and get our hands dirty. We’ll miss going for walks, picking fruit, and looking at the expansive views particularly at sunset as the light changes across the country.”

“The property offers wonderful seclusion yet it’s accessible to many of the local regional towns,” Mr Tune said.

“You really can enjoy the best of both worlds.”