First published 21 Oct 2026, 5:00am
Phenomenal interest in a rustic old former post office and telephone exchange building at the foot of a dormant volcano could see the historic South East property sold a fortnight before offers were planned to close.
Selling agent Jason Malseed said the unique 7.98ha property at 137 Post Office Rd, Mount Schank – a township built on top of a 100m-high dormant volcano – had attracted one of the highest levels of inquiry he had received throughout his 40-plus-year real estate career.
In little more than two weeks since the unique property had been listed, Mr Malseed said several offers had been received, including one for $540,000 – just a smidgen higher than the price guide of $499,000 to $539,000 – and several that were not far below that figure.
“I’m hoping we will get a sale wrapped up by the end of the week,’’ said Mr Malseed, director of Malseeds Real Estate – Mount Gambier.
“If you get a good offer – and we’ve had a few good offers – you take it.
“There have been heaps of people interested and I’m still getting calls about it every day – there’s been two already this morning.’’
The Mount Schank township is about 12km south of Mount Gambier.
At 5000 years old, Mount Schank is the youngest volcano in Australia and has a basic ash cone and base that does not extend below the water table, meaning there is no crater lake.
Mr Malseed the volcanic soils were extremely fertile, which had been a key drawcard for buyers.
The 1890-built, three-bedroom home at the foot of the volcano operated intermittently as the Mount Schank post office from 1911 through to 1984 and had also served as the local telephone exchange.
Over its lifetime, the property has been home to the Ashby family – one of the early settler families in Mount Schank – as well as several other “well-known families’’ in the district, Mr Malseed said.
A 90-year-old woman owned and lived in the home until her death last year and it had now been listed for sale by her son, Mr Malseed said.
He said interest in the home, which is not heritage-listed but is located within a 150ha state heritage area, had come mostly from locals wishing to restore it to its former glory.
“It would renovate amazingly,’’ Mr Malseed said.
“The odd person has said it (the home) needs a bulldozer but I’ve had over 50 inquiries and most people want to renovate it and live there.’’
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