When bushfires tore through vast swathes of the Great Ocean Road on Christmas Day, Lindsay McLachlan feared the worst for his holiday house.

When he returned to his Separation Creek home on Monday, he found the flames had melted his boat and garage but the house was miraculously intact.

CFA firefighters worked tirelessly to save properties as bushfires tore through parts of the Great Ocean Road on Christmas Day. Credit:Penny Stephens

A team of volunteer firefighters had saved the house from destruction, keeping back the flames that were mere metres from his front door.

But it was the note the crew left wishing him a Merry Christmas that brought Mr McLachlan to tears.