Mirboo North sits on the Grand Ridge of the Strzelecki Ranges, where the Strzelecki Highway crosses the ridge on its way from Leongatha to Morwell. It is a small town with a big personality: tall mountain ash and blue gums, a main street of cafes and shops, the Grand Ridge Rail Trail running north towards Boolarra and the Lyrebird Forest Walk close by. Many residents moved here for the trees, the community and the slower pace.

In February 2024, a severe storm swept through Mirboo North, bringing down huge numbers of trees, damaging homes and closing roads for days. Baromi Park and many streets lost trees that had stood for generations. The town has worked hard to recover, and plenty of homes are still working through repairs.

We provide handyman services across Mirboo North 3871 and surrounding areas, including Thorpdale, Boolarra and the ridge roads.

Homes in Mirboo North

Mirboo North has older weatherboards near the town centre, mid-century homes, newer houses on larger blocks and plenty of homes on bush and acreage blocks. Many are surrounded by tall trees, which brings constant leaf litter, shade and damp.

Common jobs here include:

• Gutter cleaning, often several times a year due to trees
• Moss and algae removal from paths and decks
• Deck and veranda repairs in shady, damp conditions
• Fence and gate repairs after wind and fallen branches
• Plaster and ceiling repairs after storm water damage
• Door adjustments in damp conditions
• Fire season preparation for bush-edge properties

After the storm

For homes affected by storm damage, we can help with the finishing work once roofers, arborists and insurers have done their part: patching and painting water-stained ceilings, replacing damaged cornice, repairing fences and gates, replacing broken deck boards and steps, and fixing damaged doors and flyscreens.

Fire season

Mirboo North is surrounded by forest. Keeping gutters clear, removing debris from around the house and checking flyscreens and gaps are important parts of preparing a property for summer. We can help with these jobs. Follow CFA advice for your property.

Getting a quote

Send your list and photos. We will quote each item and book a time.

Nearby areas

We also cover Leongatha, Dumbalk, Meeniyan, Korumburra and the surrounding district.

A hilltop town among tall trees

Mirboo North sits on the Strzelecki Ranges north of Leongatha, surrounded by tall forest, steep gullies and rolling farmland. Its main street has an independent, creative feel, with cafés, a pub, galleries and shops. The Grand Ridge Rail Trail runs from the town towards Boolarra through forest and fern gullies, and Baromi Park sits at the heart of town. Many people have moved here for the lifestyle, alongside families who have farmed the hills for generations.

The February 2024 storm

On 13 February 2024, a severe storm with destructive winds tore through Mirboo North. Huge trees came down across the town, houses and sheds were damaged, roads were blocked and power was out for days. Baromi Park and the surrounding streets were badly hit, and the clean-up and rebuild took months.

The storm left lasting lessons for local homeowners: check large trees near the house, keep gutters clear, make sure roof sheeting and outdoor structures are well fixed, and know who to call when things go wrong. Many residents are still catching up on repairs to fences, sheds, pergolas and gates. We help with the handyman-level work: rebuilding fences once trees are cleared, repairing gates, replacing damaged decking and pergola timber, fixing flyscreens and windows, and patching storm-damaged plaster after roof repairs. Structural repairs, roofing and tree work need builders, roofers and arborists, and insurance claims often need their reports.

Homes in the hills

Mirboo North has many older weatherboard homes, some dating back to the early twentieth century, as well as mud-brick and owner-built homes, cottages on bush blocks and newer houses on the edge of town. Many sit on sloping blocks among trees. Shade, moss, leaf litter and damp are constant issues.

Common jobs include:

• clearing gutters choked with gum leaves and bark
• replacing rotten timber on decks, verandahs and steps
• repairing and draught-proofing old timber windows and doors
• treating mould in bathrooms and on ceilings
• cleaning moss from paths and decks
• fixing fences and gates after storms
• fitting handrails to steep steps
• building firewood stores for wood heaters

Fire season preparation

Mirboo North is surrounded by forest, and fire risk is real in summer. Preparing your property each spring is essential: clean gutters, clear leaves from around the house and under decks, move firewood away from walls, and check that windows and vents are screened. We can help with the physical work of preparation, following CFA guidance. A cleared property is safer for you and for firefighters.

Owner-built and character homes

Mirboo North has a number of owner-built and alternative homes, including mud-brick and recycled timber houses. These often need a creative approach to repairs, with non-standard sizes and materials. We take the time to understand how the house was built and match repairs to suit.

Getting work done in Mirboo North

Mirboo North is a scenic drive from Leongatha over the hills. We group jobs in the town on the same day where possible. Send your list, photos and address, and we will plan the visit. We cover Mirboo North (3871) and surrounding areas such as Mirboo, Dumbalk North, Allambee South and Thorpdale South.

Damp, shade and forest

Many Mirboo North homes are tucked among tall eucalypts and ferns. It is beautiful, but it means less sun on roofs, walls and paths, so moss, lichen and mould grow freely. Leaves and bark drop all year, and gutters fill quickly. Decks and steps on the shady side of a house can stay damp for most of the winter. We recommend clearing gutters at least twice a year, cleaning paths and decks before winter and again in spring, and keeping an eye on timber that stays damp, such as the bottom of verandah posts and the edges of decks.

Wood heaters and winter

Most homes in Mirboo North rely on wood heaters to get through the cold months, and the hills can be noticeably cooler than the coast. We build firewood stores near the back door, fit hooks and shelving in the laundry for wet coats, repair hearth tiles and help keep the house warm by draught-proofing doors and windows. Chimney sweeping and heater servicing need specialists, and flues must be installed and maintained to the manufacturer’s requirements.

Supporting local businesses

The main street’s cafés, shops, galleries and community groups need help with small maintenance jobs, display shelving, signs and noticeboards, and repairs after storms. We work around opening hours so there is minimal disruption.

Lifestyle blocks and small farms

Outside town, lifestyle blocks and small farms run along the ridges and down into the valleys. Gates, fences near the house, chicken runs, raised garden beds and small sheds all need maintenance. We help keep these properties running with practical repairs and simple builds.

Rentals in town

Mirboo North has a small rental market, and properties here need the same attention as anywhere else: gutters, doors, screens, mould treatment and patching between tenants. We work with landlords and property managers and send photos of every job.

Rebuilding after storms

If your property was affected by the 2024 storm or a more recent event, we can help work through the list of handyman repairs once insurers, arborists and licensed trades have done their part. Take photos of damage before anything is moved, keep a record of what has been repaired, and let us know what your insurer has approved.

Trees close to the house

After 2024, many residents had large trees near their homes assessed. Tree removal and pruning is arborist work, but once it is done we can repair the fences, gates, garden structures and paths that were affected, and help clear smaller debris and green waste from the property. We also recommend keeping gutters clear and checking that outdoor structures are well fixed before each storm season, as the hills catch strong winds.

Mud-brick and timber

Mud-brick walls need breathable finishes and suitable fixings; we use anchors designed for soft masonry and avoid sealing walls with incompatible coatings. Recycled timber is often harder and more irregular than new stock, so we pre-drill carefully and match sizes by hand.

Steep blocks and access

Steep driveways and narrow bush tracks are common around Mirboo North. Let us know about access when you book so we bring the right ladders and gear and plan where to park safely.

Frequently asked questions