MANSION AUSTRALIA
VICTORIA Melbourne. Milford, 894 Glenferrie Road, Kew. $6m+ This grand Italianate villa, built in the 1890s, is crowned by a tower from which the original merchant owner watched his ships in Port Phillip Bay. Time and intervening developments have changed that view, but you can still see the bay from the turret. The home has five bedrooms and a gas-heated pool set in John Patrick-designed gardens. It is being sold by Tony Muston, former owner of RetireInvest. 
Agent: Andrew Smith, Kay & Burton, South Yarra
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Perth. 35 Glenroyd Street, Mount Lawley. $3.5m+ Bona Vista was built in 1917 and features wide wraparound verandas, high decorative ceilings and ornate fireplaces. Downstairs are the formal living and dining rooms, both with bay windows overlooking a manicured garden. A sunroom off the kitchen leads out to the pool with its two cabanas. Upstairs are four bedrooms, with views of the city skyline and hills. The vendors, Peter and Vicki Bradford, have lived here for 21/2 years.
Agent: Stefanie Dobro, Caporn Young, Fremantle
VICTORIA Craignair, 640 Mount Macedon Road, Mount Macedon. $3.5m+ This lovely country estate has been home to Naida and John Farmer since 1979. Set on 3.6ha, the north-facing property has stunning views over surrounding mountains. A wide veranda opens off the master bedroom and study, perfect for admiring the manicured gardens, while a conservatory overlooks the pool. The main homestead has five bedrooms and five bathrooms and there is a two-bedroom cottage nearby.
Agent: Scott Banks, Scott Banks Real Estate Group, Toorak
NSW North Coast. 104 Yagers Lane, Byron Bay. $3.4m There are sweeping views over green fields to the ocean from this beautifully restored 1920s weatherboard homestead. Robert Bruce moved from Belongil to the hinterland 11 years ago and renovated the cottage. He loves the expansive views and sense of tranquillity at his 6.5ha property. "It's the best of country and town life wrapped up in one package." The main homestead has three bedrooms and there is a four-bedroom garden cottage on-site.
Agent: Ed Silk, Ed Silk Private Sales & Brokerage, Byron Bay
QUEENSLAND Far north. 54 Ocean Drive, Palm Cove. $1.09m This tropical home centres on a solar-heated swimming pool and award-winning alfresco area that was built for entertaining. Janice and Graham Metcalfe moved from Sydney to Cairns four years ago and were one of the first buyers in the Oceans Edge development. Janice, a chef, has hosted many a party in her striking entertaining space. Their three-bedroom home overlooks a lake and has direct boardwalk access to the beach.Agent: Nicholas Slatyer, Belle Property, Cairns