The coastal palaces of the Mornington Peninsula have been the main focal point for luxury buyers who want to get away from Melbourne, but some big investors have been looking at the countryside for something unique.

Chirnside Park near Melbourne’s Yarra Valley is about to see one of its most popular mansions back on the market after only a year.

The property at 145 Edward Road was sold for $5.69 million to a Shanghai-based family in one of the Yarra Valley’s biggest sales of last year but it will go back on the market in January after the offshore investors found they were spending more time in China than originally planned.

Jellis Craig agent Matthew Lockyer will be marketing the mansion for a second time.

“We got so much interest in the property when it was on market and the calls never really stopped, so it’s a big opportunity for buyers,” he says.

But if you can’t wait till the New Year, there are a number of luxury homesteads that could make the perfect Christmas ­present.

Kay and Burton director Gowan Stubbings specialises in high-end rural property and says many Melburnians are looking for properties that can provide a bit more of an adventure.

“Many of these properties come with vineyards or equine stations, but there are lots of businesspeople who love the idea of taking those opportunities on,” he says.

Mr Stubbings says he’s found the power of the individual property rules outside the city fringes, with buyers looking for an emotional connection rather than focusing on hotspot rural suburbs. And he’s seeing a lot more younger buyers entering the market.

“In the coastal areas we are definitely seeing a lot of older couples downsizing, but in the country there’s a more diverse range of age groups, especially people with successful city businesses looking to branch out,” he says.

Kay and Burton are currently marketing the home of legendary racehorse breeder Bob Scarborough in Nagambie to go for between $7 and 8m.

The 122ha homestead has one of Australia’s best-known equine facilities and comes with a four-bedroom mansion built in 1870, which Mr Scarborough recently renovated, and backs on to the famous Chateau Tahbilk winery.

Kay and Burton managing director Michael Gibson says the lifestyle property has easy access back to the city and would attract any horse lover.

“Mr Scarborough has really built something special here and it’s the neighbour of one of the country’s best wineries,” he says.

Mr Stubbings has 110 Day Road in Murchison on offer for $10m, a large equine farm that has river frontage of up to 9km

and backs on to the channel.

Buyers will need to drive over the bridge to this island of thoroughbred horses but a seven-bedroom homestead awaits on the other side.

Sotheby’s Realty has 291-297 Harkaway Road in Narre Warren North on the market for offers over $9m.

The 8ha rural property is home to former Master Builders president Trevor Evans and is a rare rural-style property in Melbourne’s ever-growing suburban fringes.

Sotheby’s director Phillip French says the property is only 18 months old and has both a big facility for horses and heated dog kennels for lovers of slightly smaller four-legged creatures.

“The owner built the property for himself and it has some of the best finishes I’ve seen,” he says.