Far from fire-breathing dragons and medieval warfare, Victoria's Camelot in Olinda was chosen to be set up as a bed and breakfast. Photo: Supplied Victoria has its own Camelot, and for about $1.5 million, you could take the crown.
Far removed from the world of knights in shining armour, noble kings and queens, and Saxon spurred warfare, what could be the Holy Grail of Victorian property lies just one hour east of Melbourne’s CBD.
And fear not of lurking dragons; they have cleverly been substituted with more friendly and less fire-breathing echidnas, wallabies, and even the occasional deer.
Having ruled the Olinda-based kingdom – more affectionately known as Camelot Tower and Penthouse bed and breakfast (B&B) – for more than 20 years, Ross Hammond and his wife Ophelia are ready to anoint a new generation of royalty.
Included is a hand-crafted French bed fit for a queen, reportedly worth $36,000. Photo: Supplied
The pair bought the property in 1992 when it was a run-down, single residence block. The master craftsman, Ross – who trained with notable Australian architect and interior designer Oswald Coulson, responsible for some of Toorak’s historic homes along St Georges, Lansell and Orrong roads in Toorak – worked almost continuously for five years to bring his kingdom to life.
“[People would ask] is it true you worked for five years without a day off?” Mr Hammond said.
“I’d say, no; I had Christmas Day off, boxing day, and my birthday.
“I was brought up as a workhorse.”
The current owner and builder, Ross Hammond crafted all the timberwork himself, including the spiral staircase. Photo: Supplied
Along with his construction efforts, Mr Hammond designed the property himself. From the original property, he went on to build the penthouse, garden and sandstone suites, along with Shakespeare’s Cottage and Camelot Tower itself. In 2005 the property received the Australian Institute of Building award for excellence and the RACV AAA five-star rating in the same year.
“The timberwork … every joint is sharp [and] exactly in line,” he said.
“It’s all hand-crafted.”
The Penthouse Suite (pictured) features a solid teak dining room and bedroom. Photo: Supplied
Bell Real Estate Agent Corinne Sukroo, who is running the expression of interest campaign for the property, says while the property may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is generating significant interest.
“I think everyone is always after something a little bit unique … and this is certainly charming and a little bit fairytale-like,” she said.
“You can’t get bed and breakfast licenses anymore for separate cottages, so that’s quite rare in itself.
While the B&B is not running at its full capacity currently, Ms Sukroo said in the past it “has received some fantastic figures”.
“You have have some fantastic views of the city, you’re not far from Sky High and other beautiful restaurants, and walking distance to everything else in the area,” she said.
“It’s certainly a unique property.”
Camelot is currently subject to an ongoing expressions of interest campaign, with Bell Real Estate expecting offers of between $1.5-$1.6 million.