All historic rural properties evoke a strong, visceral reaction and Fairlea is no exception.
Fronting the sealed Malmsbury-Metcalfe Road and Rollinsons Road and comprising numerous buildings dating from the 1860s to the late 19th century, there are approximately 63 hectares (156 acres) divided into 12 paddocks and laneways, with the property’s basalt loam soil and reliable rainfall being well suited for fat lamb and beef cattle production.
The assortment of buildings provides a rare insight into the development of the ‘farmstead’ as well as the development of the agricultural industry in the local area. The central cobbled courtyard with the bluestone granary, buggy shed, stable and original farmhouse is very typical of mid-19th century rural architecture and farmstead design, with the 1880s weatherboard farmhouse symbolic of the Hughes family’s growing prosperity and sense of permanence.
A huge English Oak forms the centrepiece of the ‘house paddock’ and the garden is a kaleidoscope of colour with century old pear trees and a walnut tree strategically placed around the home.
The principal home has been re-stumped, re-wired and re-roofed/insulated and comprises 6 principal rooms. It is in very comfortable condition with numerous period fixtures and enables a purchaser to occupy the property immediately and continue the renovation program of the bluestone cottage and outbuildings at a later date.
A worthy candidate for ‘Restoration Australia’, the awe inspiring permanence of solid bluestone walls, the character of original shingles under the corrugated iron roof and the hand adzed beams reinforce the rural idyll and are a part of the Australian rural vernacular.
Improvements include:
* Permanent bore
* Dam
* 4 bay powered machinery shed
* Orchard
Fairlea offers prospective buyers a multitude of options: continue the grazing operation, or create some diversification into more intensive agriculture including olives, stone fruits, nuts etc., or a farm stay B & B operation, with the convenience of the Calder Freeway or V-line service to Melbourne, Kyneton, Castlemaine and Bendigo.
** We have obtained all information in this document from sources we believe to be reliable, however, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Prospective purchasers are advised to carry out their own investigations.
