Right in the heart of wine country and a stone’s throw to the beach, this enchanting limestone hideaway sits on an exceedingly private 1,828sqm allotment gazing out across rolling green pastures and tall gum trees.

Evoking the ambience of an Italian villa with timber-lined ceilings, exposed beams, interior stonework, stained glass and French doors opening to the verandah, the circa-1970s home will delight those seeking a country-meets-coast lifestyle or those looking for the peaceful property to start again and build their ideal permanent or holiday home.

Beyond a gated entry and sweeping tree-lined driveway, the residence features open plan living and dining flowing into a timber kitchen with freestanding electric oven and terracotta tile, while up the spiral staircase, a second lounge spills out through sliding doors to a balcony with a blissful bushland outlook.

An array of additional alfresco areas provides a setting for every occasion, from lunching with friends in the courtyard to afternoon aperitifs on the terrace backdropped by birdsong and the occasional kangaroo.

Two enormous bedrooms upstairs, a third bedroom downstairs, a study, full bathroom with separate toilet, wood heater, ceiling fans, roman blinds, a double carport and woodshed and among the inclusions of this rare coastal cottage, which is a few minutes’ drive to Merricks Beach and Balnarring village and footsteps to the gourmet goodies of the Merricks General Store and the Merricks Red-Hill Trail.