PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: 5 Hume Avenue, Wentworth Falls

Wentworth Falls and its environs are some of the most sought-after regions in the Blue Mountains. Known for its resplendent beauty and historic charm, the suburb offers an idyllic lifestyle that many dream of. With its serene environment, easy access to amenities, and rich history, it’s a location that offers both convenience and tranquillity.

This property at 5 Hume Avenue, known as “Ryeworth”, offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of history. This stunning north-facing, high-set, single-level, circa 1879 character cottage is steeped in local history and embodies everything you love about mountain retreats.

The first thing to be noted about this historic four-bedroom, three-bathroom cottage is its meticulous preservation and modern updates, which create a harmonious blend of old-world charm and contemporary comfort. Privately set on an enormous 2,666sqm block, the property is approved for sub-division, offering future owners the potential to create additional living spaces or even new homes on the land.

Elegantly appointed living spaces include two king-sized bedrooms with fireplaces, the primary with an ensuite. The formal lounge and dining rooms each feature their own fireplaces, adding to the home’s antiquated appeal. The third bedroom includes a built-in robe, and the home also boasts a generous kitchen and family bathroom. At the rear, the fourth bedroom, third bathroom, and laundry provide versatile living options.

The home’s features are a testament to its period allure: a timber-panelled country-style kitchen with a feature original wood-fired cooker, quality stainless steel appliances with natural gas cooktop, and a walk-in pantry. Central heating, a wood-burning combustion fireplace, and three open fireplaces ensure comfort throughout. Gorgeous period features include soaring 10.5-foot ceilings with ceiling roses and ornate cornices, timber floors with tall skirtings, chair rails, timber windows, leadlight and French timber doors, pull cord lights, and federation brass switches.

The front bullnose veranda is the perfect place to relax and watch the world go by, while the large rear undercover area is ideal for family BBQs and entertaining friends. The established gardens are easy to maintain, and the grassy 2,666sqm fenced yard with two street frontages (rear vehicle access via Fitzstubbs Ave), double carport, and two garden sheds, approved for sub-division (1300sqm & 1366sqm lots), offers a myriad of possibilities.

For those who have been searching for the right home opportunity, “Ryeworth” could signal the end of your search. Located in one of Wentworth Falls’ most picturesque and sought-after streets, it’s a historic gem with modern conveniences.

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Address: 5 Hume Avenue, Wentworth Falls, NSW

Price guide: On Request

Agent: Glen Power (0413 330 949)

Toorak’s reputation has been built on grand estates, tightly held boulevards and some of Melbourne’s most valuable residential land. Yet one of its rarest attributes is largely hidden from the street: direct frontage to the Yarra River.

Although the river traces much of Toorak’s northern boundary, just over 20 homes in the blue-chip suburb are believed to border the water—and fewer still provide genuine river access. There is no definitive public register of Toorak homes with private jetties, but prestige agents have consistently described them as only a handful.

It is rare, then, for a property offering both river frontage and direct water access to become available in Melbourne’s so-called billionaire’s playground. The newly built Solara on Orrong Road presents precisely that opportunity.

Set on approximately 1,129sqm, the five-bedroom residence descends towards the river, culminating in a private, double-tiered jetty. Here, the Yarra is more than a distant outlook: it becomes part of daily life, offering a place to launch a boat, relax beside the water or travel towards the city from home.

That distinction is significant in Toorak. Many of the suburb’s finest properties offer scale, security and architectural pedigree, but very few combine all three with direct access to the river.

Architecture shaped by the site

Designed by Melbourne studio Alta and constructed by EASTON, Solara has been conceived as a series of interconnected levels descending towards the Yarra.

Rather than presenting as a single imposing volume, the house responds to its sloping site through stepped terraces, landscaped outdoor areas and large expanses of glazing. The architecture gradually reveals the water, drawing the eye through the interior and towards the river below.

The design has earned Solara a nomination in the 2026 Master Builders Excellence in Housing Awards.

Inside, a restrained material palette allows texture, proportion and natural light to carry the design. Stone, timber, glass and finely detailed joinery establish a sense of permanence without overwhelming the river setting.

The principal living area is arranged beneath a dramatic double-height ceiling, giving the room the scale expected of a major Toorak residence while maintaining a strong connection to the garden and water.

Full-height glazing opens the house to its outlook, while multiple living and entertaining spaces allow the property to transition between intimate family use and larger gatherings.

A private resort beside the Yarra

Solara’s principal living spaces open onto an expansive river-facing terrace containing a swimming pool and spa.

The outdoor area has been positioned to take advantage of both the northern light and the relative seclusion of the riverbank. Mature landscaping provides another layer of privacy, softening the architecture and creating the atmosphere of a private resort.

Below, the grounds continue towards the double-tiered jetty.

The residence also incorporates a dedicated wellness area and gym, reinforcing the sense that the home has been designed to provide a complete lifestyle within its boundaries.

Its accommodation includes five bedrooms and six bathrooms, with the principal suite occupying a private domain of its own. The house also provides garaging for four cars—an important consideration in a property of this scale.

Across the residence, the emphasis is less on overt decoration than on volume, outlook and craftsmanship. Sightlines have been carefully managed so that the river is encountered repeatedly, rather than being confined to a single formal room.

A different expression of Toorak prestige

Toorak’s luxury market is often associated with historic mansions and large European-inspired estates. Solara represents a more contemporary interpretation of the suburb: architecturally ambitious, highly private and organised around lifestyle rather than formality.

Its position also places it within a particularly scarce segment of the market.

Riverfront homes have previously appeared along addresses including St Georges Road and Edzell Avenue, although they tend to remain in the same ownership for long periods. Even among these properties, private jetties and convenient access to the water are not universal.

That scarcity separates Solara from other prestige homes that may offer river views without actually reaching the river.

For buyers operating at the upper end of Melbourne’s residential market, the value proposition is therefore not simply the size of the house or its list of amenities. It is the combination of new architecture, substantial land, resort facilities and an attribute that cannot readily be recreated: private access to the Yarra from Toorak.

Solara is being marketed with a guide of $16.8 million to $18.3 million through Jamie Mi of Kay & Burton.

Property snapshot

Address: 803 Orrong Road, Toorak, Victoria

Guide: $16.8 million–$18.3 million

Agent: Kay & Burton agent Jamie Mi

Land: Approximately 1,129sqm

Accommodation: Five bedrooms, six bathrooms and four-car accommodation

Design: Alta

Builder: EASTON

Key features: Private jetty, direct river access, gym, indoor spa and double-height living volume