Imagine returning home each day to a secret valley just 15-20 minutes from the CBD that feels like you could be in the French or Italian countryside.
Welcome to Montacute, nestled in the foothills only steps from the eastern suburbs and flanked by Black Hill and Morialta Conservation parks, and in many senses closer to the City of Campbelltown than the Adelaide Hills. Travel home via Payneham and Montacute roads rather than the freeway and secure the Hills lifestyle with prime eastern suburbs access.
Whether or not a Hills property was on the agenda, this exceptional retreat presents with stimulating appeal for the family, retiree, green thumb, or even a small commercial operator. Rich in value and offering a variety of ways to make an income, the investment is in so much more than just lifestyle.
THE VALLEY
Set on 5.74 hectares, this property feels like coming home to nature. The entire valley is farmed with organic principles, crisp, clean air, and you have your own water source - spring water pumped from your own aquifer. This is rare - even for the hills.
Designed for full interactions with wildlife, the valley is home to koalas, kangaroos and echidnas, and dream-like birdsong. The valley is home to a pair of eagles and regularly hosts black and white cockatoos, wrens, finches, and more.
Experience incredible nightly starlight, encouraging you to invite friends over to dine alfresco under the next full moon, and experience the spectacular beauty of the four seasons changing the colours and shape of the valley - especially autumn.
The vendors have created two rainforests here prime for yoga and meditation, while also designing an incredible edible terraced garden and ecosystem founded on the principles of permaculture that requires minimal watering, interspersed with tiered lawns that allow you to take in the best of the landscape.
ARCHITECTURAL RESIDENCE
Purchased by our vendors in the late 90’s, a cutting-edge architectural renovation by Libby Warwick (Salt Studio) of the original stone cottage took place over three years to produce a home where quality runs foundation deep.
The original stone cottage is one of three homes built by the Hunter brothers (of the Hunter Valley) in the early 1900s to accommodate their three families, creating a wonderful valley community separated by orchards, laneways and gardens.
Standing today as a three-bedroom, two bathroom residence that boasts inspired living spaces including a loft and formal dining under 7m ceilings, the home is punctuated by windows that each boast unique and spectacular views over the valley and gardens.
Nothing has been done by halves here, with highest quality local and imported selections ensuring quality is everywhere, from imported Italian tiles, lighting and stainless steel fans, to special footings that allow for incredibly efficient underfloor heating, leaving two combustion heaters to add little more than extra atmosphere.
Of the three large carpeted bedrooms, two are fitted with built-in robes and placed to enjoy prime valley views, while the third is upstairs in a self contained wing that can be sectioned off from the rest of the main residence by a concealed roller door. This area is ideal for Airbnb or weekend retreat. It also includes a large downstairs area with closet/storage under the staircase, a laundry, spa room with kitchenette and a lounge with views of the garden and French doors that offer direct access.
A highbrow fully-tiled main bathroom includes a double vanity and wonderful double shower and doors that open onto a Balinese style courtyard, allowing you to shower inside, or outside with tropical garden surrounds.
A contemporary galley kitchen with stainless steel appliances and cavernous formal dining lie at the centre of the home, with easy flow out to the alfresco spaces and a cellar built into the hillside.
LIVE OFF THE LAND
Designed to allow its residents to live off the land, embrace the abundance of seasonal produce available. Years of infrastructure installation and earthmoving has changed the contour of the land, increasing its natural efficiency.
Requiring minimal water thanks to its clever permaculture design, fruit trees include navel and blood orange, lime, cherry, walnut, rows of macadamias, persimmon, pomegranate, apricot, fig, several varieties of apple and pear, and pomelo, providing more than enough to enjoy or sell in the local markets. There is a plantation of tea tree in flower that can produce pure manuka honey, a large chicken coop, and cleverly constructed raised garden beds.
BUT THERE’S MORE…
The property is an easy income earner. Rent out one or both studio spaces as an Airbnb, host bee workshops, farm its abundance of pesticide-free produce, or embrace its beauty as a private function space. When your nearest neighbour is across the valley, you certainly won’t bother anyone with loud music.
Storage is abundant across multiple sheds and workshops, leading with a two-storey American barn facing the lane with a large living space that parks two cars, once operated as a wellness centre, and makes for another great Airbnb space or teen bedroom wing.
There’s also a bill-reducing solar system and a jaw-dropping wine cellar or cave built into the side of the hill that’s as much a cool space to retreat in summer as it is a charming place for aperitifs with guests.
Bill-reducing solar system with inverter
Sprinkler system installed on the roof of the main residence
New hot water system and new tank with gravity-fed pump
Enviro waste system
Huge top shed with workshop and tons of storage
Tool shed next to veggie gardens
Mongolian BBQ (negotiable)
Two-storey American barn with electric roller doors, parking for two cars, plentiful storage, a walnut staircase, kitchenette and dining/sitting area, built-in robes and a carpeted open top floor/bedroom with views of the valley
Climate-controlled wine cellar/cave with electric roller door with handmade timber racking and stone flooring sourced from hillside
LOCATION
Montacute offers that Hills retreat without sacrificing your eastern suburbs access and lifestyle. Settle into a cohesive, welcoming neighbourhood adorned with a little European flair that delivers on the best of privacy and community alike.
From Montacute Road, shop at Norwood and Burnside Village, enjoy Thorndon Park Reserve’s Moonlight Markets, send the kids to Pembroke School, St Ignatius or Rostrevor College with ease, and embrace a breezy 15-20 minute commute to the CBD from your private valley home.
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