October 7th, 2025Locals do their Block getting in

They came in their hundreds, ignoring sputtering rain, with children in tow, phone cameras poised and verdicts ready.
After two and a half years of planning, plotting and producing, the famous five houses of The Block went on public show in what organisers say was a “thank you” day. And so the mayor and other well-known locals joined the folk from nearby Cliffy’s, tradies and other eyeballers for the best free show in town.
After having images of the houses, their builders and the show’s contestants beamed into their homes for months, there was little doubting the keenness of the 600 who lined up to have their names ticked off before getting past the obscuring fence and heading for House No.1.
Groups played Pick Your Favourite, peeked into wardrobes, gazed at the giant skylights, and some enormous barbeques. The sheer size of the houses caused a stream of comments, while some of the contestants happily chatted to the visitors.
Another observation, about a bedroom, was more to the point: “Perfect to get away from the kids!”
Said another local: “They certainly ring all the bells and whistles.”
Nearby a young visitor called proudly: “We’ve got one of those.” The abundance of features made it unclear as to what she was referring.
The visitors had to either take off their shoes or to slip on blue plastic covers. Signs warned them not to use the lavatories.
One sightseer ignored a Keep Off the Grass sign to tweak an ear of a large sculpture of a lounging kangaroo, another goggled at a pickleball court, an outdoor spa and a below-ground wine cellar.
“It’s House One,” cried one enthusiastic visitor, on completing her tour. “I called it from the day the contestants walked in.”
All of this is not to deny that naturally there was some criticism as some sightseers closely inspected the finishes.
This was the only day the houses were open to the public. Other bumper tours are to follow, including a VIP night, sponsors’ day inspection and a real estate event. All of this leads up to THE big day, the auction of the houses on Saturday, October 25.
The day after the 600 made their visits, some people who must have missed out were at the locked gates, peering in at the five houses of Daylesford seen around the world.
Words & images: Kevin Childs