Bruce Dixon lists 25ha Bellarine Peninsula equestrian farm for sale
Helgstrand at Turnberry at 80 Scotchmans Rd, Bellarine is on the market with price hopes around $10m.
Victorian businessman Bruce Dixon is upsizing in the equestrian world after acquiring the 120ha Macedon Lodge from Lloyd Williams’ family, opening the door to a world-class facility on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Records show Mr Dixon in April paid close to $20m for one of the nation’s top thoroughbred training farms.
That’s led to the listing of the 25ha Bellarine Peninsula farm, Helgstrand at Turnberry at 80 Scotchmans Rd, Drysdale, previously owned by Olympic equestrian Mary Hanna.
Mr Dixon, who paid $7.5m for the equestrian facility near Drysdale in 2020, has appointed Andrew Rice of rural agents Charles Stewart to find a buyer.
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The property has been listed for expressions of interest closing October 5.
Price hopes are circa $10m.
Mr Dixon, who is a former executive of Healthscope and Spotless and sold his pubs empire to private equity firm KKR’s Australian Venue Company, partnered with Danish dressage entrepreneur Andreas Helgstrand at the Drysdale facility.
Mr Rice is expecting a quick sale, given the level of interest in the days after the property hit the market.
“I sold this place two and a half years ago. It went really quickly last time and I suspect it might go quickly again,” he said.
Helgstrand at Turnberry is close to Drysdale with views toward Geelong, the You Yangs and Melbourne.
Helgstrand at Turnberry at 80 Scotchmans Rd, Bellarine is on the market with price hopes around $10m.
Helgstrand at Turnberry at 80 Scotchmans Rd, Bellarine is on the market with price hopes around $10m.
“It’s top-shelf. It’s been created by Mary Hanna, the Olympic equestrian, and husband Rob. They’ve developed that over 25 years.
“The term world class is thrown around pretty loosely, but this property is world class.”
Remote controlled gates and tree lined sealed driveway leads to an imposing granite stone residence taking in views of the The Heads, Melbourne, Geelong and the You Yangs.
The equestrian facilities include a competition standard indoor arena with a Martin Collins (UK) surface and Buchholz (Germany) overhead computerised irrigation system.
There are 13 stables, an arena viewing area with kitchen and staff accommodation, enclosed Maple tree courtyard with fountain, 5-bay shed complex, round yard, working area and breeding crush.
A laneway system connects three larger paddocks and 10 smaller paddocks of rich black soils and improved gently rising pastures.
Two spring fed dams and bore water assuring ample water supplies.
Helgstrand at Turnberry at 80 Scotchmans Rd, Bellarine is on the market with price hopes around $10m.
Helgstrand at Turnberry at 80 Scotchmans Rd, Bellarine is on the market with price hopes around $10m.
Helgstrand at Turnberry at 80 Scotchmans Rd, Bellarine is on the market with price hopes around $10m.
“When I went down there a few months ago, he’s got it looking really good,” Mr Rice said.
“He’s repainted, recarpeted, reconfigured a few rooms and kept the maintenance up. It’s going to be that sort of value we’re talking.”
Mr Rice said interest has come from the equestrian community and mums and dads.
Those who have made the effort to ring, they’re looking for a nice place to live and a top-shelf facility.
“Once you get there, just the views from up the top paddock are just astounding.
You can see the Heads, the You Yangs, Melbourne’s city skyline and we’re 25 minutes from Geelong.”
Bruce Dixon, pictured during the 2018 Couta Boat race in Sorrento, is selling Helgstrand at Turnberry at 80 Scotchmans Rd, Bellarine. Aaron Francis
Bruce Dixon purchased the 120ha Macedon Lodge facility from Lloyd Williams.
Mr Rice said the circa $10m price guide reflected the growing value of lifestyle properties on the Bellarine Peninsula compared with the Mornington Peninsula across the bay.
“The Bellarine Peninsula takes in about 33,000ha – that’s a lot of land and the population is about 55,000.
“There is still plenty of space, you can jump on the ferry at Portarlington if you want to and get yourself into Docklands. If you want to do the touristy thing you can jump on the Queenscliff ferry and go to Sorrento and your access point to Geelong is pretty good these days.
“If you want that lifestyle you’re getting pretty good value for money I reckon,” he said.
