Former Clunes butcher's shop hits the market offering rare cut of history
In the heart of Clunes’ character-filled main street, a beautifully preserved former butcher’s shop with more than a century of history in its bluestone walls has come to market.
Listed for $498,000 through BigginScott Daylesford, the property at 27 Fraser Street is up for grabs for the first time in 140 years. It’s a building steeped in heritage, offering investors the chance to secure one of the town’s most unique commercial buildings.
Set on a 342-square-metre site, the property combines historic architecture from the 1890s with flexible zoning and an invitation for reinvention.
Rear access is available from Purcell Street, where a carport and covered pergola provide a sheltered space for parking, deliveries, or additional use, and the mains water is connected.
“[No.] 27 Fraser Street is one of the most authentic commercial buildings in Clunes,” says Tom Shaw, Director and Licensed Estate Agent at BigginScott Daylesford.
“You’re buying a piece of history on the main street with huge potential – from retail to hospitality to creative use. There are a couple of other commercial listings around, but none with this level of originality. It’s a rare long-term hold in a very tightly held township.”
From the 1890s through to the 1940s, the building operated as Clunes’ local butcher, run by the Spark family, whose descendants have remained on the site for approximately 140 years. Inside, the shop’s entire working history remains intact.
“The original fittings are still there – the marble bench, chopping blocks, ice chest, hanging racks, and even the cellar. It’s like walking back in time. You just don’t find commercial buildings with this much of their working history preserved,” says Shaw.
Authenticity is part of what draws buyers and day-trippers alike to Clunes, which stands as one of the most beautifully conserved goldfields towns in Victoria. Known as Australia’s only official “Booktown”, the township blends historical streetscapes with a thriving creative backbone. One of the popular events is the beloved annual book festival, which will happen in March 2026.
“Clunes has this incredible old-world charm. People love the history, the creative culture, the cafes and the slower pace – all while being close to Ballarat, Creswick and Daylesford. It’s a small town with a big identity.”
Interest in the property has already been strong from both locals and Melbourne-based investors.
“Even with a couple of other commercial properties for sale on the street, this one stands out because of the original butcher’s shop features. Everyone who walks in immediately starts imagining what they’d do with the space,” says Shaw.
“I can see it appealing to someone who wants a destination space — a boutique retailer, a gallery, a book-related business, a wine bar – something creative. Or a heritage-minded investor who understands how rare it is to secure a standalone bluestone commercial building with its original character untouched.”
