24 August 2019

Idyllic home and property, just a wee jump from Yass

| Lisa Herbert
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Contemporary colours, unique features, and stunning views. Photo: Supplied

Contemporary colours, unique features, and stunning views. Photos: Supplied.

A charming four-bedroom cottage, with unique features and a simply spectacular aspect in Wee Jasper, is offered for auction on 18th September.

Situated on a limestone cliff, looking over a valley dotted with caves and fossils, the stunning property is completely renovated and has been finished with a warm, contemporary colour palette. This is a very inviting 100-year old cottage on the beautiful Goodradigbee River.

A beautifully renovated home that glows above the Wee Jasper Valley. Photo: Supplied

A beautifully renovated home that glows above the Wee Jasper Valley.

Beautiful home perched on its limestone escarpment surrounded by caves and fossils. Photo: supplied

Home perched on its limestone escarpment surrounded by caves and fossils.

Listed with Naish Stormon of LJ Hooker, Gungahlin, the house is weatherboard with corrugated iron roof and bullnose verandahs and was moved by road from Sans Souci, Sydney, about 18 years ago.

It was lovingly renovated in its present location and the relocation meant the house has been well placed on solid modern foundations.

In its idyllic location, the cottage itself abounds with character and charm. Entering through an impressive lead light front door, you come across pressed metal ceilings, ornamental fireplaces and restored original timber floors in the bedrooms.

French doors in every room, and breathtaking scenery from the wide verandahs.

The kitchen and living open plan is the hub of this house. Photo: Supplied

The kitchen and living open plan is the hub of this house.

The bathrooms and kitchen offer contemporary convenience with a design that is sympathetic to the charm of the cottage. The living room and kitchen are open plan with beautifully restored and polished King Billy Pine floors, and have both a split-system air conditioner and open fire.

The kitchen boasts an induction cook top, and room for a large island. There is a Meile dishwasher installed, double sink and large country pantry. Warm light spills over the open plan area from heritage pendant fittings, rescued from Sydney’s famous Hordern Pavilion, and complete with the AHS logo etched into the glass.

French doors, pressed tin, wooden floors and a warm feeling. Photo: Supplied

French doors, pressed tin, wooden floors and a warm feeling.

All rooms have French doors opening onto the verandahs, and a wide verandah on the North-facing river side of the cottage offers an outstanding outlook over the valley.

When the Burrinjuck Dam is full, the Goodradigbee River creates your water views. Photo: Supplied

When the Burrinjuck Dam is full, the Goodradigbee River creates your water views.

When the Burrinjuck Dam is full the view transforms to a full water view of the impermanent lake, which creates a sense of fertility as well as beauty. A large rear deck provides an excellent alfresco space, covered with wisteria and clematis.

Views towards Wee Jasper's heritage listed bridge built in 1896. Photo: Supplied

Views towards Wee Jasper’s heritage-listed bridge built in 1896.

The current owner spends much of their time relaxing on the front verandah, looking over the 180-degree valley views, “you feel like you’re looking over the world,” Mr Strigas said.

Each bedroom has its own ceiling pattern in pressed tin. Photo: Supplied

Each bedroom has its own ceiling pattern in pressed tin.

Three of the four bedrooms have feature fireplaces, one has an ensuite, and each has a different pressed tin ceiling pattern. A family bathroom has a shower and bath and boasts beautiful views to the river.

Bathroom bench tops and tiles are made from polished Wee Jasper basalt, a stunning and unique feature.

If valley views are your thing, this property is perfect. Photo: Supplied

If valley views are your thing, this property is perfect.

The wiring and plumbing are completely updated and the cottage is all-electric with a large hot water storage system.

The grounds and gardens are extensive and have been beautifully developed and maintained. There are significant plantings of more than 200 trees which are connected to an irrigation system fed by a dam and a 50,000L water tank.

The property also includes a further two 50,000L water tanks which are plumbed straight to the house.

A cedar barn with multiple spaces is a stand out feature of 70 Caves Rd. Photo: Supplied

A cedar barn with multiple spaces is a stand out feature of this Caves Rd property.

Outbuildings include a charming 12 x 5.6m cedar-clad barn on a concrete slab with power and light. This has potential to house an office space or Granny flat, with additional space for a garage/workshop area, plus an 8 x 5m shell space for shearing or animal husbandry, and also a mezzanine level, or loft.

The cottage is currently being operated as an AirBnB and is heavily booked. There is much fabulous recreation offered in the area, and many with special interests, such as palaeontology groups and ‘cavers’, visit Wee Jasper frequently.

“The house itself actually sits on a rocky plateau full of caves and holes and places to explore,” Mr Strigas said.

A view over river flats that on occasion become a beautiful lake. Photo: Supplied

A view over river flats that on occasion become a beautiful lake.

The present owners, leaving reluctantly, are prepared to leave it set up as is, including furniture – an exceptional work-from-home business or Bed & Breakfast opportunity.

When they happen the water views are astonishing. Photo: Supplied

When they happen the water views are astonishing.

Set on 14 hectares, 70 Caves Road, Wee Jasper is a unique offering and must be seen to be appreciated. The auction date is 18th September at 6 pm, 182-200 City Walk, Canberra City. Call Naish Stormon on 0488 164 426 or visit their website for more details.

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