If you’re looking for an idyllic farm lifestyle just 10 minutes from Kiama, check this property out. Photo: Jane Zwar.
If you’ve got big dreams and need a home that can accommodate them, you just might be in luck.
Just off the Princes Highway about 10 minutes south of Kiama, 109-acre property ‘The Hill’ is tucked into the green hillsides.
Its owners are taking expressions of interest until 2 March, and real estate agent Jane Zwar from Belle Property Berry and Kiama said they’re keen to get negotiating.
“They’ve been here for about 15 years and also have a large farm in Victoria, where all their family are,” she said.
“It’s gotten too hard to run the two, so they’ve put it out for EOI with a guide of $11.5 million.”
The working property runs 50 head of cattle, although they have previously run up to 120, using organic and regenerative farming methods.
The Hill was first subdivided in 1850, and over the past 165 years it has been held by four different families running dairy or meat cattle.
Its green pastures aren’t the only appeal, however.
There is DA approval for a four-bedroom home complete with swimming pool, in addition to the re-roofed, rewired and re-plumbed 1860s two-bedroom cottage already on-site.
Under agritourism rules, Jane said the RU2-zoned property was ripe for a new phase of life as an ecotourism hub, and could host a number of tiny houses for guest accommodation.
“There are so many different possibilities,” she said.
“You could run it as a property yourself, or build your dream home and have a caretaker in the cottage to manage the farm side of things, or lease the cottage and land for someone else to run their own stock on and just enjoy the location.
“There’s also the option to enter into a post-sale leaseback with the vendors who could do a slow handover, or it could be run as a hobby farm.
“It’s primary production so there is no land tax, and the design and location of the current DA for the property can be changed.
“Everywhere across the property has the most phenomenal views, and it’s all useable.”
The property is set on undulating pastures, fenced by drystone walls that were built in the 1800s.
There are some remnant rainforest areas zoned E2 and E3.
The drystone wall fences and several large fig trees on the property are protected and cannot be altered, however the cottage is not subject to any heritage restrictions.
Recently renovated, it features ironbark floors, red cedar internal cladding, and a north-facing verandah with ocean views.
The kitchen hosts a large country-style Smeg freestanding oven, double sink, dishwasher, and caesarstone benchtops, alongside modern amenities such as ample fresh water, mains power, landline phone capability, and fixed wireless NBN.
The property also boasts a large new three-bay shed to house machinery and an old unused dairy near the cottage.
There is not currently an option to subdivide the property any further, however the cottage could be extended.
“That’s not the kind of buyers we’re looking for anyway,” Jane said.
“We have had some unexpected interest from farmers in the Hunter Valley who want to downsize without losing their privacy, and from Sydney buyers.
“These types of properties are very tightly held. With privacy, convenience, beauty and views there’s nothing to beat it.
“It’s probably one of the best land holdings we’ve had.”
Farm infrastructure already in place includes about 85 arable acres, a 25 m bore suitable for fresh drinking water, two permanent spring-fed creeks and two waterfalls and a 15-cow dairy with new vet crush.
For more information on 164 Princes Highway, Kiama, contact Jane Zwar from Belle Property Berry and Kiama on 0401 174 856.
