THE MATCHBOX MANOR

Matchbox Manor, nestles in the foothills of the magnificent Victorian Alps. Situated 7 kms north of Swifts Creek on the Great Alpine Road, it is only a 45 minute drive to the ski resort of Dinner Plain and Mt Hotham and 1 hour 20 minutes from Bairnsdale and the spectacular East Gippsland Lakes.
I am told by everyone who visits, how lucky I am to live amidst such beauty. But now, sadly, owing to family committments, I must leave this little piece of heaven and live back in the real world.
This photo was taken in July, the heart of winter which is a truly magnificent time of the year in the high country. Unlike most other areas in Victoria, winter brings frosty mornings and crisp clear days.

Solar panels for lights at night; actually COMPUTER and candles. Tank for fresh rainwater. No acid rain here. Gizmo stalking in the garden.

The property is 8.8 hectares with another 2.5 on 99 year lease. This equates to aproximately 27 acres. Land cleared with some improved pasture. Average rainfall is 26 inches per year. Improvements include a two bedroomed cottage with built in cupboards. Laundry facilities are located in the outside shed, which also has second shower and toilet. It has a boarding kennel permit for 20 dogs and has 11 kennels (3 completed)
Water is sourced in a number of ways. There is 9 thousand gallons of water tank storage, 3 thousand of which are for rain water collection and the remander for river water pumped up from the Tambo river by means of a Glockemann hydraulic piston pump. This little gem sits in the water and quietly chugs away 24/7 with virtually no maintenence requirements and runs solely on water power. No fuel costs! It delivers between three and four hundred gallons per day. There is also a brand new twin impeller Davy pump for when large quantities of water are needed. Situated near the house is a very large dam, fed by an intermittant spring, which supplies water for the reticulated front garden. There is a third fire fighting pump for the dam and to pump rain water to the header tank. Owing to the worst drought in Australia's history, this dam is currently dry.
Crossing the river to the pump.
 Spectacular views.

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Summer thunderstorm
 Winter snow


Although electricity is available, Matchbox Manor is supplied by a combination of solar and wind generated power with a 600 watt inverter to 240 volts. (No electricity bills!) The current battery bank has a capacity of 1200 amp hours. This system is easily extendable, very low maintenence and with both an abundance of sun and wind here, will provide free electricity for some years to come. The inverter is capable of running an energy efficient washing machine and most other usual household appliances. Lights are 12 volt and my refigerator, hot water system and cooking are all LPG gas.
Kitchen showing solar and wind turbine controls
 part of lounge to 2nd bedroom

Lounge & main bedroom
 view to kennels, taken9/10/04

Nearby, Mt Hotham
Kennels
 Wind turbine & view to the south

Current council rate evaluation for the property is $98,000

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