Port Albert was one of the earliest anchorages established in Victoria, a gateway to the lush pasture country of Gippsland, and then the doorway to the high-country goldfields.

These days it’s one of the fishing capitals of Australia’s south-east, and the perfect place to rest and relax amid the grandeur of a bygone era of great sailing ships and the vast oceans they crossed.

Port Albert is 230 kilometres south-east of Melbourne and a place steeped in history and romance from the great days of sail.

Ian Seed, of Tarra Real Estate, is marketing Port Albert’s Gowrie Guest House on Tarraville Road. It’s a landmark historic home and guest accommodation, providing a tree-change, sea-change and lifestyle business all in the one package.

The Gowrie Guest House was built in 1856 and is widely renowned throughout the Port Albert area as a premier piece of real estate for holiday or executive accommodation.

“It’s a beautiful property with so much history,” Mr Seed said. “The 1856 property was extended in the 1990s to have four bedrooms and three large living areas, two bathrooms and a commercial-size kitchen. The additions were done in a very tasteful way in keeping with the original design.

“In addition there are two one-bedroom units at the back of the property, plus a brand new cottage on a separate title. There is also a massive 12m x 18m shed with separate access.

“So there is a lot of accommodation and uses for the property.”

The Gowrie Guest House is for sale by expressions of interest and Mr Seed says a return of $80,000 can be reached on an occupancy rate of 60 per cent.

“It promises a massive return if it’s operated as it should be. Port Albert is a wonderful holiday destination and arguably the fishing capital of Victoria with a fascinating maritime history,” he said.

The Gowrie Guest House offers luxury accommodation, excellent returns from the two separate units and the possibility of housing a retail outlet from the shopfront on the main street.

Mr Seed said the current owners bought this expansive home/business in 2016 and made it their labour of love, turning what was a lovely home into a beacon of "classic modern beauty".

He said the transformation of the property was as “dramatic as it is exquisite.”

The elegant Victorian entrance hallway provides a glimpse of the grandeur to come. There are two formal sitting rooms, one with mezzanine loft. There is also a central courtyard dining area with internal garden, a magnificent kitchen equipped with European appliances, granite benchtops and ample cupboards. There is also a new central bathroom.

The mature gardens offer peaceful surrounds and amenities including a guest BBQ area, ample parking facilities for boats and jet skis, and a large, shaded relaxation deck.

The first European settlers arrived at Port Albert in 1841 to farm the green hills all about.

The town became the administrative centre of Gippsland and, with a 250-metre timber jetty, was soon a transport hub for the cargo ships sailing between Melbourne, Hobart and Launceston.

As the Victorian Gold Rush began in the early 1850s, migration through Port Albert increased dramatically with prospectors from Europe, America and China disembarking there to try their luck in the mountain streams of Victoria’s high country.

More than 40 Georgian and Victorian-style buildings still stand in the charming town, and the Gowrie Guest House is regarded by many as the most elegant of all.

Port Albert remains a commercial port, and its population increases dramatically as fishing enthusiasts flock there in the summer. Visitors also come to see the Port Albert Maritime Museum, follow the Old Port Walking Trail, and enjoy scenic boat tours, fishing trips and bird watching, especially at nearby Robertson Beach.

All these visitors need a place to stay.