Eucumbene Trout Farm is on the market through Raine and Horne Jindabyne. Price is available on application. Photos: Supplied.
Award-winning Snowy Mountains tourist attraction Eucumbene Trout Farm – which includes three residences, a six-hectare private lake stocked with trout and a smoke house and cafe – is up for sale.
Occupying 18.5 hectares of well-grassed Monaro land, Eucumbene Trout Farm has been a popular tourist attraction from the time of its establishment in the 1970s. It’s ideally located 33km from Jindabyne and 45km from Cooma.
Aerial shot of Eucumbene Trout Farm, including the private lake brimming with fish.
After running the farm for several years, owners Karen Howells and Peter Cottrell are retiring. They say they’d love to see a family take over the business.
“A family running it would be ideal. You get visitors from all over the world so you don’t have the isolation that normally comes with owning a country property. Every day is interesting and the lifestyle component of the farm is just awesome,” Karen says.
She describes owning a trout farm as “a tremendous journey.”
“When you have a historic property like this, you’re only really ever the caretaker. We’ve reinvented the trout farm and have welcomed so many visitors back to something that they came to when they were children.”
The main residence, a five-bedroom weatherboard homestead, was originally built in 1890.
The five-bedroom weatherboard homestead, with its original Sundowner verandah, was built in 1890. Renovations over the years include a new kitchen, the installation of an efficient heating system and new 45,000-litre rainwater tanks.
The renovated kitchen.
There’s also a three-bedroom manager’s cottage, also dating back to 1890, which is currently undergoing renovations. These include two new bathrooms, a large open plan kitchen and lounge/dining area plus new gas heating and hot water systems.
Eucumbene Trout Farm cottage in the winter.
Karen and Peter have also added a third residence, Lakeview Cottage, which is popular with trout fishermen and those seeking an idyllic place to enjoy amazing views and complete privacy. The furnished holiday let overlooks the private lake. It has two bedrooms, one bathroom, an open plan kitchen and living area plus gas heating and hot water.
“Whoever buys this [property] is going to have a great time. We smile every day. 99 percent of the time we fulfil what people want, which is to catch fish. People are on holidays, they’re happy. It’s a happy place to be,” Karen says.
“I’ll miss the peace and quiet, and the beauty, and the birds. There’s a plethora of bird life out there because of all the water. And when everyone’s gone at the end of the day, there’s not a sound to be heard.”
It’s clear that both Karen and Peter have put their heart and soul into the business – and their efforts have paid off.
Eucumbene Trout Farm won the inaugural Outstanding Small Business Awards for the Snowy Mountains Region and the Southern Area NSW. It is now a finalist in the NSW State Awards. Its smoked trout and smoked trout mousse have also won medals in the Fine Food Australia (Melbourne) and Sydney Royal Easter Show competitions.
The couple are also actively involved with tourism bodies including Destination NSW. As Karen explains, the new owners will have the opportunity to bid for grants to expand the facilities, or even apply for rezoning to build additional accommodation.
“Our accommodation is booked all the time. People love it, and often they just come to experience the peace and quiet.”
Canberra holidaymakers heading to the Snowy Mountains over the summer will be pleased to know that it is business as usual at Eucumbene Trout Farm. Karen and Peter will continue operations “at full pelt” until a buyer is found.
Eucumbene Trout Farm is being sold by Raine and Horne Jindabyne, with pricing available on application. For more information about the property, view the listing or contact Ben Clancy (0413 778 501) or Matt Lowe (0404 010 008).
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