Nestled at the end of a quiet, unmade lane in Forrest, a former logging town full of weatherboard shacks two hours from Melbourne, you are greeted by a couple of unexpected properties: a quirky steam train carriage and a three-storey cabin made out of wood and upcycled train parts. Neither are your stereotypical Australian structures, but then convention is not something that the owners, Fleur and Mike Leslie, are drawn to.
The black-painted steam carriage, located on the fringes of the Great Otway national park, close to lush surrounding rainforest and world-class nature walks and bike trails, lends a nostalgic nod to days gone by – a time when life was less frenetic and train travel more elegant. “We bought the plot back in 2013. It had been on the market for many years and was totally run down, but immediately triggered a reaction in us both,” says Fleur. “Initially we were drawn to the main house and the train was an aside, but it quickly became a passion project, too.”
Fleur, a nurse, has had lengthy stays abroad, working in both Alaska and New York City. She met Mike briefly before leaving on her four-year adventure, then the couple got back in touch and, shortly after Fleur returned home, they married. With the arrival of their children, Lili, now 14, and Mack, 11, and changes in the direction of Mike’s design company, the couple decided to start a holiday accommodation business.
“The last owner of this plot was an environmentalist and craftsman. He had built an initial cabin structure in the 1970s, over a period of five years, and bought the decommissioned railway carriage for AU$400 [£220],” says Fleur. “He apparently spent a staggering AU$60,000 [£33,000] transporting it from Melbourne and craned into the plot.
“The carriage was used as an onsite live-in shed and workshop while he built the house. Very much ahead of his time in terms of sustainable design, he used various parts of the train on the cabin, and when we bought the plot what was left of the remaining filthy, graffiti-covered pink train had been left to rot and degrade.”
Built originally in 1926 at Newport, the carriage was used in regional Victoria, before being retired in 1983. “We decided to name the carriage ‘Steam’, and turned it into guest accommodation. The renovation took us nine months and we finished in 2015 following a true labour of love,” says Fleur. “We worked closely with an amazing artisanal builder, George, who understood us and, together with Mike, he worked tirelessly to separate, strip, rewire and replumb the carriage. Walls were moved to create a double compartment for the master bedroom and two further bedrooms were created – a double and a twin, which the children love.”
Throughout, floorboards and woodwork have been painted gloss black, while beautiful wooden panelling has been restored and walls painted a warm white. A contemporary Ikea kitchen was fitted, and touches of stainless steel, silver and bronze added for the worktops, oven and range. Original hardware and signage bring a sense of authenticity to the space, while salvaged finds, such as the Victorian bathroom sink, vintage hardware and period light switches, add gravitas. The most dramatic change was painting the exterior black. It instantly upgraded it from ramshackle to retreat.
The pared-back, elegant aesthetic balances the original character with luxurious touches: antique finds mixed with cosy linens, crystal chandeliers, cut-glass tumblers and classic china. Plus, the newest addition – a Victorian bath that adds a decadent edge to the deck – is adjacent to the master suite.
“The carriage has a huge sense of soul that appeals to curious adventurers. It feels very rewarding to have given it a new lease of life,” says Fleur.
