Willabrook – 37 hectares of arcadia in the beautiful Kangaroo Valley. Photos: Supplied.
This is literally a ‘rock star’, back to the country property in one of the most desirable locations on the East Coast of Australia that the agents are calling a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Owned by INXS guitarist Tim Farriss, Willabrook is a combined working cattle property and holiday retreat located along the deep waters of the Upper Kangaroo River in the beautiful Kangaroo Valley.
The 37-hectare property is blessed with rich river flats, lush pastures and four dwellings, including two holiday cottages for diversified income.
Agent Nick Dale from Belle Property Berry said Tim Farriss had enjoyed Willabrook for over 30 years, transforming what was a ‘blank shell’ into a proper farm with priceless character.
“He’s proven his love for it just by all the quirkiness that’s in the property,” Mr Dale said.
But now Farriss, who still has a home in Manly, is planning to spend half the year in Italy, and buy property in Florence.
Mr Dale said he had updated the main 1920s homestead but retained its essential character, created landscaped gardens, and secured fencing.
The property has carrying capacity of an average 30 breeders, excellent shedding, a mature orchard, chicken coops, and day yards.
There is also a fully self-contained manager’s cottage, farm shed, vegetable garden, fountain and delightful garden settings perfect for family events such as weddings, of which there has been a few celebrated at Willabrook.
The holiday cottages have a more contemporary feel and Mr Dale said all the dwellings had commanding rural views and were far enough apart to ensure privacy.
He said Willabrook could be sold as a going concern, with or without stock, or just as a home and holiday accommodation plus furnishing.
But it’s a property Farriss has nurtured and firmly imprinted his character on.
“You can’t buy character,” Mr Dale said. “It’s landscaping, all the little quirky knick-knacks which are going to be with the property. All the furnishing, everything you see will stay, except for his INXS stuff. Even in the old shed, all the old tools.”
In the farmhouse kitchen, there is a solid hardwood island bench which Farriss fashioned himself from timber found on the property.
“He’s very proud of it too. He found all the timber, even the old nails that he used are original. He’s managed to reconstruct things out of everything that he’s found on the property,” Mr Dale said.
On the deck, you can take in the rural tranquillity from the outdoor bath, which has hot and cold running water.
The homestead’s panelled walls, original floorboards, ornate ceilings, intact fireplaces and French doors opening on to the deck retain its rustic charm but updated essentials such as bathrooms, kitchen and air conditioning provide modern comforts.
But for Mr Dale, the river really sets the property apart.
“A lot of rural holiday houses claim they’ve got great little creek systems but I tell you what, this is like an Olympic pool. It’s quite exceptional,” he said.
Mr Dales says that with the houses at the top of the mountain, by the time you get down to the river it’s like a completely different property, complete with quiet billabongs and grassy level banks for camping and get-togethers.
“It’s like you’ve got two different properties in one. At the bottom, it’s flat, with very green grassed areas and you’ve got this massive river system,” he said.
There has been ‘unbelievable’ interest in Willabrook, mostly from the city and as a holiday retreat. It is only a short drive to the local village and a couple of hours from Canberra and Sydney.
Sale is by private negotiation, with expectations between $4.5 million and $4.8 million.
For more information contact Nick Dale at Belle Property Berry on 0419 425 166 or go here.
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