Homeseeka’s Martin Rivett said interest in the town had increased significantly in the past two months.

“Mortlake has been going really strong in the past eight weeks,” Mr Rivett said.

“There seems to be a lot of Melbourne people buying there.”

He said affordability and proximity to Warrnambool were drawcards for Mortlake.

“We’ve still got people wanting properties but we can’t get them at the moment,” Mr Rivett said.

He said demand was high for properties ranging from $100,000 to $200,000.

Jodie and Richard Beeck moved to Mortlake in 2017 after falling in love with the town while visiting a relative.

“For me it was a meant-to-be scenario,” Mrs Beeck said.

The couple stayed at the Mac’s Hotel and fell in love with it.

“It’s such a beautiful old building,” Mrs Beeck said.

While staying there the owner told the couple it was for sale.

Moving to the country or buying a hotel was not on the radar for Mrs Beeck, a flight attendant, and Mr Beeck, a builder.

But there was something about Mortlake and the hotel that prompted the couple to investigate buying the hotel.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” she said.

The couple took over the hotel in early 2017 and say it’s one of the best decisions they’ve ever made.

“It’s a great community – everyone has been so welcoming,” Mrs Beeck said.

She said the couple loved living in a country town after living in Melbourne for so long.

“It’s got such a nice feel to it,” Mrs Beeck said.

“You walk down the street and everyone says hello.”

Mrs Beeck said she often had visitors commenting on what a great place Mortlake was.

The town has been identified as one of the 10 cheapest towns in Victoria to buy a house.

“Of the 10 cheapest towns in Victoria, Mortlake is by far the closest to the coast,” Domain advises.

“Situated just 50 kilometres from Warrnambool and rich in geological history, Mortlake sits at the bottom of a dormant volcano.”

Domain also reveals the median price for a home in Mortlake is $168,900.