6 February 2020

Glorious homestead with park-like gardens and hidden delights in Braidwood

| Lisa Herbert
Join the conversation
17
Extensive shady gardens and water, water everywhere. Photos: Supplied

Extensive shady gardens and water, water everywhere. Photos: Supplied.

A gracious, historic and character-filled homestead in NSW’s desirable Southern Tablelands is being offered for sale, complete with a conservatory, sumptuous gardens and a platypus viewing platform.

At 14 Solus Street, Braidwood, this beautifully maintained heritage home on 2025m2, has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and ample secure parking, and is well priced at $1,550,000.

The owner/engineer of this property hand-built a suspension bridge over the creek.

The owner/engineer of this property hand-built a suspension bridge over the creek.

Set on two acres of established and beautifully maintained gardens, the property comes with a tranquil, spring-fed creek, a hand-built suspension bridge and park-like enclaves.

Behind the exterior of this serene property are many mysteries and surprises.

A sympathetic addition connects the two historic buildings here in Braidwood.

A sympathetic addition connects two historic buildings in Braidwood.

The granite bluestones of the original cottage were hand made by convict labour and the sand stock bricks used in the 1870 addition were also made by convicts at the nearby site of the old, colonial Braidwood jail.

The original cottage was constructed circa 1830s and the brick structure in the 1870s. The newer lounge and glass sunroom were added in 1993 – the conservatory designed and built to connect the two original structures in a stunning and sensitive manner.

An airy lounge room was added to the property in 1993.

An airy lounge room was added to the property in 1993.

Located on the edge of Braidwood, within a short walk to the bustling township, this granite bluestone and double brick home is the perfect gardener’s paradise and would be ideal as a bed and breakfast.

When asked what she loved most about her home, owner Cheryl Raper said, “The position, the viewing deck over platypus antics, the huge oak tree probably dating back to Dr Braidwood Wilson’s time, also its proximity to Braidwood.”

Ms Raper describes the town as the ‘Florence of Australia’, with its artists, sculptors and writers.

"It's the position, the shady oak tree and the history. You can feel the history".

“It’s the position, the shady oak tree and the history. You can feel the history.”

“We absolutely love this property and have for 37 years. It has ticked all my boxes in terms of creativity and serenity, and it will be hard to move on. It will be hard to replace the gardens, the native birds, and the regular ‘platypus watching’ from our specially made deck,” Ms Raper said.

“We can stroll into town and visit a café, there are all the necessary facilities such as hospital, ambulance, schools and even a garlic festival.”

Bedrooms with ensuites and external French doors, original features and cedar furniture.

Bedrooms contain ensuites and external French doors, original features and cedar furniture.

This well-loved home also features a galley style kitchen, study, formal dining room, and an attic loft bedroom that any young person would adore.

The Summer bedroom built into the original cottage kitchen, with attic loft.

The summer bedroom is within the original cottage kitchen, with an attic loft.

There are working fireplaces in two rooms and the original timber features have been lovingly maintained: French doors, deep casement windows and other stunning features, many in red cedar.

Ceilings are comfortably high and warmth is guaranteed during Braidwood’s cooler months by the extensive gas-powered ‘hydronic’ heating system installed throughout the home.

The hand-built Platypus viewing deck, perfect for a wine in the evenings.

The hand-built platypus viewing deck, perfect for a wine in the evenings.

In addition to the enhanced period cottage, there is a licensed bore, Comet Windmill, charming BBQ area, and an impressive workshop/barn/man cave.

The perfect man-cave - machinery, gantry, equipment, gadgets, power.

The perfect man cave – machinery, gantry, equipment, gadgets and power.

This engineer’s or artist’s dream space includes 3 phase power, 6kw solar system, massive overhead gantry and car hoist, a spray booth, a sand blasting booth, storage area and many machines, gadgets and facilities – enough to keep any mechanic, artist or wood/metal enthusiast content.

This ideal workshop space has been built within a sympathetic reconstruction of the original shearing shed, which was once attached to the cottage. It is another surprise revealed within a historic treatment.

Through the rose arbour to the historic well, connected to the spring-fed creek.

Through the rose arbour to the historic well, connected to the spring-fed creek.

The vendors are downsizing and are open to a walk-in, walk-out arrangement that includes a beloved grandmother’s stunning cedar furniture collection, as well as the machinery and equipment in the workshop.

“We must move on but we are hoping someone will come along who will love and understand and really enjoy the property,” Ms Raper said. “You can really feel the history in the place.”

Convict built, a short stroll from Braidwood - 'the Florence of Australia'. Photos: Supplied

Convict built and a short stroll from Braidwood, “the Florence of Australia”.

View listing on zango.com.au

Inspections by private appointment only.

Phone Kelly Allen, Luton Properties Braidwood on 0466 632 696.

A list of inclusions in a walk-in, walk-out agreement is available on request.

Join the conversation

17
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

That garden looks very green in the current drought!

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.