Farm on the banks of the Goulburn River has been owned by the same family for more than 100 years

A Victorian property two hours from Melbourne with its own private beach is being offloaded by a family who has owned the residence for 100 years. SEE INSIDE

696 Back Eildon Rd, Thornton is up for sale for the first time in more than 100 years.

A sprawling acreage steeped in history has been listed for sale with its own private beach on the banks of the Goulburn River.

Originally built in 1876, the five-bedroom home at 696 Back Eildon Rd, Thornton was bought by Henry and Maggie Nicholas in 1919, who established the 13.5ha farm and had nine children that went on to maintain it.

Now, after five generations and 100 years of the Nicholas family nurturing the property, the owners have made the tough decision to sell and have listed it with $2.2m price hopes.

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Sisters Gail, Shelley, Vicki and Carole said they felt so privileged to have had such an idyllic place to grow up and enjoy with their family.

“We grew up in a house across the road from the homestead and have fond memories of visiting our grandparents every morning for morning tea after going with dad to milk the cow,” the sisters said.

“As children, we loved delivering morning tea to the shearers and watching our sheep dogs run across the sheep’s backs in the pens.”

The original homestead built in circa 1876.

Soaring high ceilings, pressed metal cornices and leadlight windows are just some of the original features in the home.

Inside the main residence, there are two large informal and formal living areas that open out to the wide return verandah as well as five bedrooms, four of which have their own open fireplaces.

The land boasts a number of apple, pear, nectarine, cherry and peach trees across its more than 13ha, which is also home to three paddocks, a large shearing shed built in 1945, another shed and a garage.

The owners said they climbed trees, built cubbies and also enjoyed fishing on the Goulburn River from the beach behind the homestead when they were younger.

“What we love most about Elouera is the family gatherings we have there. Our children have loved going through the paddocks on the back of Dad’s jeep and floating down the Goulburn River on tyre tubes,” they said.

The spacious kitchen with modern appliances and plenty of storage.

The family room.

The sellers added that their favourite place to sit was on the front veranda as it was a very peaceful place and the view over the hills is beautiful.

“Our other favourite place is the shearing shed where Gail held a bush band with square dancing for her 21st and where Shelley was married. We still often sit in the shearing shed of an evening and share nibbles and drinks.”

Nutrien Harcourts Alexandra principal Belinda Hocking said the almost kilometre Goulburn River frontage was the property’s major drawcard, as well as its privacy.

“It’s just been really well maintained over the years. The home’s got 13ft (about 4m)
ceilings, picture rails and really early 1900s Australian architecture, which is the Federation era,” Ms Hocking said.

“There’s some lovely leadlight features, there’s open fireplaces in every room. It’s amazing.”

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Originally published as Farm on the banks of the Goulburn River has been owned by the same family for more than 100 years