Derelict Victorian ghost house becomes luxury goldmine

David Bonaddio

First published 03 October 2025, 1:00pm

The once-derelict “haunted house” in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley has been reborn as the luxury Trawool Estate, complete with a $80,000 dome and a starring role on The Block.

A once-derelict “haunted house” in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley has been reborn as a luxury regional icon, even starring as a prize on The Block, and it’s now for sale.

The Trawool Estate, just over an hour from Melbourne, has been transformed into a destination of luxury stays, fine dining and weddings by owner Wes Old — who bought the run-down property in 2018 after growing up visiting the site with his family in nearby Seymour.

“I see myself as a gatekeeper of a building this special, something you’ll never build again,” Mr Old said.

“When my kids first saw it, they called it the big haunted house. It had been abandoned, unloved, disrespected, now it’s beautiful again.”

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The estate’s revival has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Six years of renovations saved heritage features such as the stained-glass dome – now insured for $80,000 – while creating award-winning new venues including Turbine, a moody speak-easy-style restaurant, and Granite Bar.

Turbine restaurant delivers a moody speakeasy vibe, part of the award-winning revival of the historic Trawool Estate.

Granite Bar adds a touch of glamour to the former haunted house, now a regional dining hotspot.

“We were actually a prize on The Block,” Mr Old said.
“The episode went to air on the Sunday and Monday, and by the time Melbourne came out of lockdown on the Wednesday, we were absolutely inundated. We did incredibly.”

Mr Old revealed show co-creator Julian Cress has since become a regular.
“Julian often brings people with him, ex-contestants, industry friends. He’s one of the main ones, and he does it off his own bat,” he said.

The Block co-creator Julian Cress is now a regular visitor, often bringing former contestants and industry friends to the estate. Picture: Nine

Guests can relax by the pool, with views over the Goulburn Valley making the estate feel like a world away.

The National Trust-listed Trawool Estate has been transformed into a destination of luxury stays, fine dining, and weddings.

Contestants on the hit series were treated to luxury stays at the estate after winning key room reveals, a move that cemented Trawool’s profile as part of the post-Covid “tree change” dream.

“It feels like a world away, even though we’re only an hour and fifteen minutes from Melbourne,” Mr Old said.
“You basically stay in this beautiful setting and it’s a total escape.”

The restored Trawool Estate now boasts multiple bars, restaurants, luxury suites and conference spaces — just over an hour from Melbourne.

Even the bathrooms ooze luxury, part of the six-year transformation that saved heritage details and added five-star finishes.

“My hope is whoever takes it next respects it, loves it, and makes it even better than I have,” Mr Old said.

JLL Hotels & Hospitality has now listed the estate via an expressions of interest campaign, led by Peter Harper.

The offering includes multiple restaurants, bars, function spaces, luxury accommodation, and conference facilities, set against the backdrop of the National Trust listed Trawool Valley.