POSSUM'S Reach is a lifestyle property in the heart of one of Victoria's prettiest valleys.

The Buffalo River valley, near Myrtleford, was once a fertile tobacco-producing area with the stunning Lake Buffalo at its top.

The picture-postcard views drew Daryl and Denny Heath when they were looking for a retirement block 13 years ago. The couple had spent many years managing large sheep and cattle stations in South Australia.

"I found this valley while on a fishing trip with my son and I fell in love with it," Daryl said.

Possum's Reach is a 36ha property with a national park on the boundary, views of Mt Buffalo and a private camping area.

Bird life abounds, with 74 recorded species regular visitors to the garden, including gang gang cockatoos, king parrots, kingfishers and rainbow bee-eaters.

"We have a cheeky king parrot that squawks at us through the window and birds fly around us while we are having breakfast outdoors," Denny said.

Daryl has worked hard to improve what was once a bare grazing block.

He has subdivided the farm into seven paddocks and planted shelter belts of tree lucerne and wattle.

"We rotationally graze and in good years the place will run 60 steers and a dozen wethers on a phalaris, ryegrass and clover base.

"Water is reticulated to troughs in all paddocks and we have a spring-fed dam."

Possum's Reach has 500m of frontage to the permanent Sandy Creek on the southern boundary. Water is pumped from the creek for the house and garden to two 22,000-litre tanks.

"We buy steers at 260-280kg and finish them to feedlot weights of 450-480kg, averaging $300/head profit."

Built 11 years ago, the contemporary home at Possum's Reach was designed to take in the views of the valley.

North facing, it has a large open-plan living area with a cathedral ceiling and sliding glass doors opening to the deck.

The blackwood timber kitchen has an island bench and there is a wood heater and split-system air conditioner.

Paulownia trees around the edge of the garden provide a natural windbreak.

The garden includes native shrubs to encourage bird life, a kitchen herb garden, a large vegetable garden and an orchard with citrus, fig, apple, lime, plum, apricot, olive, peach, pear and nectarine trees.