Famous Ashcombe Maze tourist attraction seeking new owner-operator

15 Shoreham Rd, Shoreham is a well-loved visitor attraction for its amazing hedges and gardens.
15 Shoreham Rd, Shoreham is a well-loved visitor attraction for its amazing hedges and gardens.

One of Victoria’s best-loved tourist attractions has hit the market with multimillion-dollar price hopes.

The iconic Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Farm, with its magnificent gardens plus 120-seater cafe at 15 Shoreham Rd, Shoreham is seeking a new owner-operator.

The spectacular garden sanctuary on more than 16ha has been visited by millions of local and overseas visitors over its 45-year history.

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The cafe can seat 120 people.

The maze has wowed visitors for decades.

The vendors are seeking a sale in the $6 million range for the property and business, according to Peninsula Sotheby Flinders agent Rob Curtain.

“It is a well-known international brand with a magical botanical garden setting,” he says.

“The sale covers 41 acres of land with the house, cafe with a liquor licence, the business and goodwill.”

The lavender garden in full bloom.

The property’s serene botanical setting.

Curtain says the listing has already attracted plenty of interest, especially from food and beverage operators keen to secure the coveted location and potential to expand. He expects a sale to be finalised by year end.

The property is home to Australia’s oldest and most well-known hedge maze, which is 3m tall and 2m thick.

There is also a circular rose maze and lavender labyrinth. The property started as a cattle and sheep farm and trees planted more than a century ago are still on the site.

The cafe offers potential for expansion.

Curtain says the property could be further developed into a large reception or wedding venue with a restaurant, and also upgraded with a new dream home.

Beside a modest three-bedroom mud-brick house, the property has waterways that ensure the surrounds and gardens are kept lush.

Shoreham is a small and very tightly suburb on the eastern part of the peninsula. There were only four other properties listed in the suburb on realestate.com.au as at November 22.

This article from Leader Newspapers originally appeared as “Ashcombe Maze, Shoreham: Top tourist attraction looking for buyer”.