24 September 2023

Cottage charm in the countryside a stellar example of a bygone era

| Claire Sams
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cottage in the country

Take a break from modern life and find your retreat from the world nestled among rolling hills and brimming with historic charm. Photos: Raine and Horne Goulburn.

Sitting on a property just shy of 300 acres, this cute-as-a-button cottage combines historic country charm and modern creature comforts.

Raine & Horne Goulburn Rural and Residential Salesperson Nic Heath says 502 Bolong Road in Laggan is a chance to step into a slower lifestyle.

“Once you get off Bolong Road, you’re free to drive down a tree-lined driveway that winds its way towards the home,” he says.

“The house itself is set back from the road, so when you’re at the property, you could be in the middle of nowhere.

“It’s a very quiet and picturesque little spot where the house is.”

Set across 120 hectares, the property, also known as Old Willowvale, brings to mind the history of the Southern Tablelands region.

“There is Willowvale and then there is Old Willowvale,” he says.

“This is where the original Willowvale homestead and house used to be, and why it is called Old Willowvale.”

The heritage elements extend beyond the property’s name – the main building dates to 1910.

The three-bedroom, one-bathroom house also boasts wrap-around verandas, double-glazed French doors, original kauri floorboards and a Cheminees Philippe fireplace.

“The farmhouse was actually transported to the farm a number of years ago and then substantially renovated while keeping the heritage feel of the property,” he says.

“They even did things like sourcing the same floorboards to use through the property to maintain that historic character.”

The property also has an 1860s stone cottage that has been converted to an office and an original shearing shed that has been partially restored.

“The stone cottage is one of the original outbuildings from the house that was on the property,” he says.

“On the property, you’ve got remnants of the old house – the chimney, the original old timber stove and an ornate fireplace.”

The property has four acres of landscaped gardens, along with fruit trees and vegetable plots that anyone with a green thumb will enjoy.

But if truffles are more to your tastes – either eating them or using them for income – the property also hosts a seven-year-old truffle plantation now in its second year of production.

“There’s not too many of these homes with truffle farms around,” Nic says.

“They’re very few and far between, but they can be used to bring in a bit of extra income.”

The property also has over 400 hazelnut and French and English oak trees.

The 1.5 km Myanga Creek frontage brings waterfalls and chances to see platypuses if you are lucky, while the six dams, two of which are spring-fed, provide water for household and agricultural uses.

The home also has three main paddocks, several smaller paddocks, a 40 metre x 20 metre horse arena and a horse shelter.

Nic says this sale is perfect for anyone looking to get a foothold in Laggan.

“This area is pretty tightly held,” he says.

“As a property for sale, it can become a family getaway or it can be a permanent residence.”

Old Willowvale is located 25 minutes from Crookwell and two hours from Canberra, and with unlimited Starlink internet, you can easily keep in touch with friends and family, or even work from home.

“You’ve also got a lot of well–known towns that are close by, as well as some very good restaurants in close proximity.”

To find out more about 502 Bolong Road in Laggan, call Raine & Horne Goulburn Rural and Residential Salesperson Nic Heath on 0431 474 995 or Raine & Horne Goulburn Sales Associate Stephanie O’Brien on 02 4821 9088, and be sure to check out all the latest listings on Zango.

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