8 Wentworth Street, Bothwell TAS 7030

The prominent siting for historic ’Fort Wentworth’ as the colonial military barracks and watch house for the rural township of Bothwell, was carefully chosen back in 1832 for its commanding views of the district. Like a mother hen guarding her chickens the ’Fort’ still keeps faithful watch, every day.

Constructed of solid sandstone, the elegant simplicity of the homestead style building is striking. With low pitched roof line and generous flag stone paved veranda on 3 sides ’Fort Wentworth’ on just over 1 acre of land is now the product of 20 years of determined restoration work by the vendors, to become an intriguing and comfortable home, albeit with many fascinating reminders of 150 years of service to the community before passing to private ownership in 1983.

With a now residential living area of 186m2 plus 42m2 garage/ workshop with mezzanine floor added by the vendors in the style of the home careful architectural advice has overseen a functional conversion of the original floor plan taking up former cells as a bathroom and a pantry come laundry off the galley kitchen overlooking a courtyard at the back of house.

An expansive 10 x 5m lounge opening onto the veranda offers obvious potential for the property to transition again as a commercial venture gallery, tea rooms or function centre perhaps in the future complimenting Bothwell’s iconic Australasian Golf Museum, Nant Whisky distillery and collection of over 40 registered heritage buildings as further attractions to this ’gateway to the Central Highlands’ and world famous trout fishing in the lakes and rivers of the region.

Reminders of the colonial past are everywhere from the recessed French windows set into the character of thick stone walls, to prison style bar protection for windows opening into the court yard where prisoners once were exercised.

A combination of still operable fireplaces and electric panel heating warm the home in the Winter while outside, the English garden is abloom with colour from all manner of bulbs and the Spring time spread among the dry stone terraces also lovingly created by the vendors along the way of their restoration journey.