A mixed enterprise property of 80.9 Ha in the foothills of the Great Dividing Ranges, 36 kilometres north of Melbourne, just outside the urban growth boundary. The property has been in the same family ownership over generations and is offered for sale for the first time in 100 years.
The house, situated on a hill (approx 305m) towards the centre of the property, has spectacular views which stretch from the Dandenongs in the south east, through to Mt Donna Buang, Kinglake and Mt Disappointment to the north east, and to the Kilmore Gap in the north, then across the plains to the Macedon ranges in the west. The property is currently fenced into seven stock paddocks with four other areas planted to olive trees. The undulating Silurian hills which comprise the majority of the property, have improved pasture with a gravity-fed reticulated stock water system from rain-filled dams. At the rear of the property the land falls to the Merri Creek on basalt plains, providing excellent summer grazing on native pastures. The property has plantations of predominantly native trees on the north and south boundaries, with remnant redgum woodlands on the basalt plains. Additional plantations provide breaks between paddocks and three dams are surrounded by trees and fenced to exclude stock.
In the 1940-50s contour banks were formed on the Silurian hills to control water run-off. Since then all work has been done on the contour, with the olive plantations following the contours of the land. Drainage lines have been fenced off and planted to prevent any erosion and the property has been used as a demonstration of good farming practices by local landcare and, historically, by the Soil Conservation Authority.
Enterprises include the production of beef cattle and approximately 3000 tree olive grove, planted from 2000 and now in full production. The current owners run a vertically integrated olive business processing their own oil and selling from a farm-gate shop on-site.
The spacious, five bed-roomed house is a mix of Canadian western-red cedar and mud brick, with extensive views from all windows. With two reception rooms, large dining room, a large family kitchen , including an induction cook top, wall oven, two-drawer dishwasher, pantry and ample cupboard space, an office, mud-room, three bathrooms including one en-suite, and separate laundry, the house invites entertaining with excellent accommodation for guests or a large family. In winter it is warmed by two slow-combustion wood heaters and three wall-mounted Nobo electric convection heaters.
Surrounded by a wide verandah, the views from the house look over an extensive garden with fruit trees, an attractive fenced, brick-paved vegetable-growing area and a fenced rose garden, into the long distance.
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