Small Second Homes on the Surf Coast

Low-impact living for family, income, or lifestyle — all on your existing property.

OUR RANGE

THE COASTAL RETREAT

Overview

This small secondary dwelling is designed to quickly and easily add a home to your property. Its compact 8m x 3.2m layout makes it perfect for creating a private retreat, hosting guests in comfort, or adding income-generating accommodation without the hassle of major construction.

Expansive glazing draws in the outdoors, while the timber-lined porch invites slow mornings with coffee or relaxed evenings with friends. Clever zoning gives each area a sense of purpose, and the seamless indoor–outdoor connection makes the space feel larger than its footprint.

Whether it’s tucked into a leafy corner of your backyard or overlooking open paddocks, it offers a peaceful, light-filled escape that blends beautifully into its surroundings.

Interior & Exterior

  • Nailstrip cladding for walls and roof (Colorbond®)
  • Timber feature cladding (oiled) to entry porch
  • Double-glazed uPVC sliding door and windows
  • High-performance insulation to floor, walls, and ceiling
  • Hoop Pine plywood interior wall lining with black expressed joints
  • Classic oak-look waterproof vinyl flooring
  • Energy-efficient LED lighting throughout interior and exterior
  • Insect screens to all operable windows and doors
  • Reverse-cycle split system air conditioning
  • Low-maintenance exterior materials for long-lasting durability

    Kitchen & Bathroom

    • Soft-close cabinetry with easy-clean finishes
    • Fisher & Paykel cooktop, oven, and rangehood
    • LED strip lighting under overhead cupboards
    • ABI Interiors tapware and basins
    • Low-maintenance splashback (glass or tiled)
    • Sliding glass shower screen with rain shower head
    • Compact vanity with storage drawers
    • Energy-efficient electric hot water system
    • Insect screens to all operable windows and doors
    • Concealed laundry nook with provision for washer/dryer combo

      THE NEST

      Overview

      The Nest has been designed to give homeowners more freedom without the stress of a large construction project. With its 8m × 3.2m footprint, it’s the perfect way to create extra living space for family, generate rental income, or enjoy a private retreat on your property.

      Expansive glazing and sliding doors connect seamlessly with the outdoors, while natural timber interiors bring warmth and calm. Every square metre is purposeful, delivering a home that feels spacious, modern, and easy to maintain.

      Interior & Exterior

      • Nailstrip cladding for walls and roof (Colorbond®) with timber soffit detailing

      • Timber-lined interiors (oiled hoop pine) for a natural look and feel

      • Double-glazed uPVC sliding doors and windows

      • High-performance insulation to floor, walls, and roof

      • Classic oak-look waterproof vinyl flooring

      • Energy-efficient LED lighting throughout

      • Reverse-cycle split system air conditioning

      • Timber decking to extend indoor–outdoor living

      Kitchen & Bathroom

      • Cabinetry with soft-close finishes in your colour choice

      • Galley kitchen with breakfast bar seating

      • LPG cooktop, oven, and rangehood (Fisher & Paykel or similar)

      • Walk-in shower with sliding glass screen

      • Custom vanity with storage drawers

      • ABI Interiors tapware and fittings throughout

      • Energy-efficient hot water system

      • Concealed laundry nook with provision for washer/dryer combo

      What We Do

      Build a Small Second Home on Your Property

      Manuka Blue designs and builds small second dwellings that are fully self-contained and tailored to your needs. These low-impact, council-compliant homes—up to 60 square metres—are built on the same block as your main residence and include a kitchen, bathroom, and toilet.

      Whether you’re looking to create more space for family or generate income, our dwellings offer flexible, future-ready solutions:

      Independent Living for Family

      A private, accessible space for aging parents or adult children — connected but separate.

      Rental Income Opportunities

      Earn passive income from long-term tenants or short-stay guests.

      Guest Accommodation

      Host friends or family without disrupting your main home.

      Creative Studio or Hobby Room

      An inspiring, purpose-built space for making, designing or creating.

      Emergency Accommodation

      A secure, standalone home for a family in need of urgent shelter. 

      Wellbeing Retreat

      A calm, restorative space for yoga, therapy, or reflection.

      What You Need to Know (Victoria-Specific Guidelines)

      Recent changes to Victorian planning laws have made it easier to build a small second home on your property.

      Planning permits

      are not always required
      If your lot is over 300m² and not affected by bushfire, flood, or heritage overlays.

      Building permits are always required

      This ensures compliance with siting, structure, and safety standards.

      No occupancy restrictions

      These homes can be used for family, tenants, or guests — no permit limitations on who can live there.

      Subdivision is not allowed

      The second dwelling must stay on the same title as your main home.

      Gas restrictions apply

      Homes must not be connected to reticulated natural gas.

      Essential inclusions

      Each home must have a kitchen, food prep area, bathroom, toilet, and wash basin.

      Placement matters

      The dwelling must sit behind the front wall of your main home and be accessible from the street.

      Know What’s Possible

      Most properties are eligible for a small second home. A title check via Landata can confirm any restrictions, so you can plan with confidence.

      Meet the Team

      Tremayne Todd – Director & Registered Builder
      Sarah Gole – Business Manager

      Manuka Blue was founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife team Tremayne Todd and Sarah Gole. What began as a renovation business in Melbourne’s Bayside suburbs has grown into a mission-led venture focused on building small secondary homes that respond to real housing needs — with care for people, land, and lifestyle.

      Now based on Victoria’s Surf Coast, Tremayne and Sarah design and deliver eco-kind, low-impact homes that support independence, flexibility, and comfort. Whether it’s for family, guests, or income, they understand that building even a small home is a deeply personal journey — and bring clarity, communication, and craftsmanship to every step.

      Harley Todd – Apprentice Carpenter
      The eldest of their three sons, Harley is already on his way to becoming a skilled chippy. Strong, respectful, and eager to learn, he’s thriving in his apprenticeship and brings fresh energy to the team.

       

      Tremayne Todd and Sarah Gole from Manuka Blue, sitting outside a small secondary home with their Kelpie, Tash.

      The Meaning Behind Our Name

      Close-up of a young Manuka branch with soft green leaves and red stems

      Manuka is the name of the street where Tremayne grew up in Warrnambool — and also the name of a tree known for its strength and healing qualities. Like the homes we build, it’s grounded, enduring, and made to support wellbeing.

      Powerful ocean wave curling over in bright blue water under a clear sky

      Blue is drawn from the ocean — calm, deep, and full of life. It reflects the quieter, more connected way of living we believe in — and our commitment to building homes that are gentle on the environment.

      Our Favourite Projects

      Before focusing on small secondary homes, we spent over a decade renovating and building full-sized homes across Melbourne’s Bayside and the Surf Coast. These projects laid the groundwork for everything we do today—combining timeless design with functionality, quality finishes, and deep care for how people live.

      While the homes below are larger in scale, they reflect the same principles we now bring to our small second homes — built for modern living, flexible use, and long-term value on the land you already own.

      Hampton — Heritage Reimagined

      Overview

      In Hampton’s prized period precinct, this original post-war home was reinterpreted to balance classic charm with bold contemporary living. The brief: honour the surrounding streetscape while creating a highly functional, future-proofed home that could serve a modern family across decades.

      Final Outcome

      This renewed family home blends timeless street appeal with modern liveability. Inside, 3m ceilings, oak floors, and a Miele kitchen create a warm, functional heart. A sun-filled lounge opens to a tiled lap pool and landscaped gardens. Upstairs, a central retreat with bespoke study spaces links three bedrooms, while the master suite below offers garden views and a spa-inspired ensuite.

      Project Details

      • Contemporary Californian Bungalow
      • North-facing rear | Landscaped block
      • 5 bedrooms + study | 3 bathrooms
      • 3 living zones
      • 12m pool
      • Sustainable design features throughout

      Sandringham — Classic Meets Contemporary

      Overview

      Set in Sandringham’s coveted ‘acorn patch’, this post-war home began as a modest two-bedroom dwelling clad in faux brick. The goal? A complete transformation for family life—one that honoured the home’s period character while introducing generous new spaces.

      Final Outcome

      This light-filled renovation blends family functionality with period charm. The design prioritises natural flow between indoor/outdoor spaces, with garden connections abound. Thoughtful details—from a fitted master suite to multiple living zones—ensure it feels welcoming, adaptable, and ready for modern family life.

      Project Details

      • Timber Californian Bungalow
      • 34 sq | NW aspect
      • 5 bedrooms | 2.5 bathrooms
      • 3 living zones + study
      • 2.5-car auto garage

      Highett — A Private Parkside Retreat

      Overview

      Hidden behind tall hedges opposite Peterson Reserve, this home was ready for reinvention. The design brief focused on creating light-filled spaces for both connection and quiet. The challenge: make the most of a corner site, bring in the sun, and future-proof it for growing children and busy lives.

      Final Outcome

      A calm, connected family home that embraces its parkland setting. Generous windows flood the interiors with light, while natural materials and layered textures create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Flexible living spaces inside and out make it ideal for both entertaining and everyday living across all stages of family life.

      Project Details

      • Contemporary corner-block home

      • North-facing living/entertaining

      • 5 bedrooms | 2.5 bathrooms

      • 3 living areas incl. upstairs retreat

      • Carport + secure off-street parking

      • Opposite Peterson Reserve

      Aireys Inlet — Coastal Calm on the Surf Coast

      Overview

      In a peaceful cul-de-sac just moments from the beach, this new build was designed to offer a spacious, light-filled escape that embraced coastal elements. With a rare 50m north-facing frontage, the home was crafted to support relaxed living year-round—from winter warmth to summer breezes.

      Final Outcome

      Designed for effortless coastal living, this home brings together sunlight, space, and natural textures in perfect balance. With a strong indoor-outdoor connection, thoughtful zoning, and year-round comfort features, it creates a peaceful sanctuary for family life just steps from the Surf Coast’s beaches.

      Project Details

      • Beachside family retreat
      • 920 sqm landscaped block
      • 5 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms
      • Dual master suites with balconies
      • 2 living zones | 42 squares
      • Double garage | Solar + rainwater systems

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