Life on Weathertop Crest: Tracy and David’s move from the Mornington Peninsula to The Cape.
From the ridge of Weathertop Crest, Tracy and David wake to a view that most people only dream about. Below them, waves roll into the Bass Coast. Kangaroos graze at the doorstep. And when night falls, the stars twinkle so clearly that even the Southern Lights occasionally put on a show.
Their home is the very first completed house on Weathertop Crest, their home is all-electric, powered by the sun and warmed by a hydronic slab. It’s filled with materials chosen as much for their feel as their function. But this is more than a case study in good design; it’s a story about finding place, finding people, and building a life that feels like you belong from the moment you arrive.
From Blairgowrie to Bass Coast: a shift in priorities
Formerly based in Blairgowrie, Tracy and David sold their home, originally intending to build at Venus Bay. When that subdivision fell through, they explored alternatives and found themselves standing atop the Weathertop ridge, watching the waves and wondering if this was the place. “It was more money than we’d planned,” said David, “but the vibe, the values, the location, it just pressed all our buttons.” As we stood on the ridge with our dog Ruby looking out over the water, local residents approached us and asked if we were thinking of buying the land. And they said ‘it’s great, buy it, you’ll love it! We joked and thought, ‘who are all these people working for”, but it is just a community of people who enjoy living where they live and share the same values.
Tracy and David loved the sense of instant community and the ‘village feel’, the sustainability ethos, and the chance to build a home that embraced their shared values. “The beach, the community, the environment, you really can’t complain about the location,” Tracy said.
Designing for comfort, connection and the future
Working with local architect Sue Mitchell and Harris Build, they created a textured, warm, and sustainable home designed for the block’s orientation and views. Key features include:
- a hydronically heated slab floor powered by a heat pump
- a stunning internal rammed earth thermal wall using Gippsland Gold sand
- locally sourced white gravel from Powlett River added to the polished concrete floors
- spotted gum timber cladding with a low-maintenance silicon coating for the exterior
- every room enjoys both north and south-facing windows
- elevated ceilings and electric high windows for natural ventilation
- stunning spotted gum wooden battens and plywood on internal walls and ceiling
- beautiful custom joinery and window seats perfect for sunbathing with the dog
Their home achieved a 7.7-star energy rating and is fully electric, with rooftop solar, a home battery and an EV in the driveway. “Even in winter, with no sun at all, our heating costs maybe $1.50 a day. The slab heats up quickly and holds it,” David explained.
They originally considered triple glazing but opted for high-quality double-glazed, thermally broken windows to meet both budget and efficiency needs. “The last house had double-glazing, but the frames were like ice during winter. These are a massive improvement.”
Building with Harris Build: no surprises, just excellence
For Tracy and David, this wasn’t their first build, but it was by far their smoothest.
Having built before, they praised Troy and Amy from Harris Build for their transparency, professionalism, and communication. “We even went travelling overseas for part of the build and still felt completely confident. Photos every week, great updates, it was smooth.”
Troy Harris shared that working with Tracy and David was a pleasure: “They knew what they wanted. Sue’s detailed hand-drawn plans made it a dream to build. We worked together to cost-manage and make the materials last in the coastal environment.”
Community and belonging
More than just the house, it’s the community that has cemented their love of The Cape. Within a week of moving in, Tracy had joined a sourdough baking workshop and both Tracy and David took part in a community bike ride. They signed up for a plot at The Cape Community Farm.
They have immersed themselves into local gatherings and activities and are now social members at Cape Paterson SLSC, attended monthly women’s coffee catch ups, the monthly men’s breakfasts, and other local events. “You have to put in to get something out,” David says. “But it’s easy when the people are great and so welcoming without the clicki-ness.”
Would they change anything?
Only one thing: “We might’ve made the garage a little bigger to include a workshop or studio,” said David. “But that’s about it. Everything else just works.”
Their advice to others? “See as many homes as you can, talk to multiple builders, and add as much solar as you can afford. You can live in comfort and run your car without touching the grid. How good is that?!”
Life on Weathertop
Living on Weathertop Crest has lived up to the promise. “You hear the ocean, see the stars and the aurora. There are whales out front, kangaroos at the door. It’s quiet. You can think. You can breathe.”
They sum it up simply: “We’re happy. Join us. It really is that good.”
If you are interested in calling Weathertop Crest home, see land for sale for more information.