Castles for sale, turrets, moats and all
For these vendors, home has literally been their castle. But will anyone else fall for these royal residences — moats and all?
They have turrets, moats and even gargoyles but these crafty castles are not owned by aristocrats nor are they heritage listed. Instead, many of these faux chateaux from across Australia are just rare residences in need of their new royals.
Ron Farmer’s “Leumeah Castle” might not be in the same stately league as Posh and Becks’ “Beckingham Palace”, which recently sold for almost $21 million, but it did find a new owner in the same month.
After more than eight months on the Sydney market, the Englishman finally sold his castle, a personal creation he began 30 years ago as a tribute to his homeland.
The new owners of “Leumeah Castle” have ventured forth from the kingdom of Blacktown and paid $480,000 according to RP Data records.
The property has 10 turrets, a moat, stained glass feature windows, medieval furnishings and, of course, gargoyles.
“We moved out here from England and there was nothing like it,” Mr Farmer told the Macarthur Chronicle.
“The wife and I decided to build it for something that reminded us of home,” he said.
“It took us 10 years but we eventually finished it,” Mr Famer said.
Since then the former fibro cottage has developed into something of a local landmark. Several themed weddings have been held in its grounds and busloads of tourists often stop at the gates to take pictures.
While the Farmers’ home is unusual, they are not the only castle-inspired homeowners. Across the country there are many more on offer.
Chateau Marais, Wallis Island in NSW — $20 million
Australia’s priciest palace currently up for grabs is Chateau Marais, a 105ha estate on Wallis Island, 300kms north of Sydney.
The glamorous homestead was modelled on the Chateau Versailles in France and is the yet-to-be-finished 15-year labour of love for former Sydney antiques dealers Andre and Cecile Fink.
The art-loving pair reportedly snapped up the once virgin island parcel in 1996 for a modest $290,000 but are now asking in the vicinity of $20 million.
As well as a private 1.5km beach, the grand estate near the mid north coast town of Forster also features a savanna, forests, a 500-tree orchard, deer, games room and a jetty.
217 Gwenmarlin Rd, Flinders in Victoria — more than $3.8 million
Inspired by the imposing castles of Scotland, this palatial three-bedroom property down a quiet country lane was built with granite rock and bluestone.
True to its castle brief, the architect included a turret, mudroom and a wood-fired baker’s oven in the country kitchen.
On the rambling 20ha estate, which adjoins the Greens Bush National Park, there is also a huge machinery shed, a dam and mobs of wild kangaroos.
It is on the market with an asking price of more than $3.8 million.
1-3 Queen Guineveres Pl, Sovereign Islands in Queensland — $3.65 million
Right in the heart of affluent Paradise Point on the Gold Coast, the Sovereign Islands are home to a collection of luxury homes on deep water mornings.
This near new mansion has been listed with a $3.65 million price tag, a figure that due to the slump suffered in south east Queensland since the GFC is below construction costs according to marketing material.
On a 1571sq m waterfront block, the grand Queenslander has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a tennis court, pool, a Murano glass chandelier, a spa, sauna, pontoon and the 24-hour care of the Sovereign Islands security.
Gotterdammerung, 40 Chisholm Ave, Avalon in NSW — more than $2.5 million
Built in the 1950s, this ode to medieval Europe was affectionately named “Gotterdammerung” by its owner-builder who was inspired by the music of Wagner.
The original owner constructed the regal residence to impress his young wife, however, as local legend has it she was so taken with the design she took off with the architect.
If she had stayed the lady of the house could have enjoyed lead light feature windows, a 100-step entrance to the unspoilt rock summit overlooking Clareville Beach and 3238sq m of lush bushland.
Now on the market for the first time, “Gotterdammerun” is expected to sell for more than $2.5 million.
Chateau de Reves, 38 Balikapapan Ave, Dianella in Western Australia — undisclosed
A direct translation from French to mean “House of Dreams” this three-storey mega mansion is in the suburbs north of Perth.
The grand three-year old residence has every mod con including integrated appliances throughout (there are nine built-in televisions), a home theatre, second “alfresco” kitchen and a full-sized commercial gym.
The palatial property also has a sweeping marble staircase, lift, a mosaic pool a function room.
Crest Castle, 24 Crest Rd, Research in Victoria — about $1.6 million
Licensed to operate as a B & B for up to 30 guests at a time, Crest Castle is a dual home and business with a medieval twist.
It has the obligatory turrets, a lagoon and treetop footbridge expected in any good castle, but to bring it into the present day there is also a bar, commercial kitchen with walk-in cool room, a hydrotherapy spa and even a conference centre.
To set the English-inspired scene there are even wild ducks to feed in the lagoon as well as yabbies to catch.
When it was put on the market almost a year ago, Crest Castle had a price tag of $1.6 million and the 10-bedroom property is still for the taking.
Le Chateau, Vineys Ln, Dural in NSW — SOLD for “about” $6.5 million
Sydney’s own Versailles, known as Le Chateau was perhaps the only enduring star of the reality TV show Beauty and the Geek.
The grand 2ha estate sold last year for an undisclosed amount “close to” the original asking price of $6.5 million according to selling agent, Ken Jacobs of Christies Great Estates.
The 12-bedroom, six-bathroom property has a tennis court, two-storey poolside cabana, gym, guest quarters and it is just 40 minutes from Sydney.
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