Buy a piece of history as grand estates hit the market

It’s a chance for a treechange while earning an income.

Mayfield Estate offers a neo-Georgian seven-bedroom homestead.

One of Western Australia’s oldest farms, Deepdale, has hit the market at the behest of the billionaire Roberts construction dynasty, while across the continent another historic farming estate near Orange in the NSW Central West has finally changed hands.

Investment banker Richard Thomas and his wife Kathy have sold Mayfield Estate, near Orange, after the estate hit the market last September at an $8m price tag.

Billed as one of Australia’s finest rural lifestyle estates, Mayfield covers 46 hectares and its centrepiece is a neo-Georgian seven-bedroom homestead.

The vast 800sq m homestead was built between 1906 and 1910 and is recognised by the National Trust. It comes with an oversized master suite with two bathrooms and a dressing room or further bedroom leading off it.

The surrounding 4ha arboretum is home to 55 exotic plant species and more than 22 species of birdlife, including a pet peacock.

Close to the popular township of Orange, the home of the world’s largest gold producer, Newcrest Mining, Mayfield Estate has been picked up by Sunshine Coast-based businessman John Eastham of the Autopact motor dealer group, sources say.

Mayfield also incorporates a commercial 6.6ha vineyard of cool climate vines as well as four country cottages each with two to three bedrooms, which can be rented out.

After selling Mayfield Estate for an Orange record through agent Chris Meares, it is understood the Thomases will divide their time between Noosa, Sydney and their house closer to the centre of Orange.

Mr Eastham will spend half the year in Orange and half the year on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Autopact owns around 27 motor vehicle dealerships.

Deepdale, around 85km from Perth, is expected to field offers of more than $20m.

Across the continent Deepdale, around 85km from Perth, is owned by Denby Roberts, whose late father John Roberts established construction giant Multiplex. It is on the market through Mr Meares of Meares & Associates.

Mr Meares said he expected offers of more than $20m for the holding, covering 1558 hectares with a double frontage to the Avon River. The estate first hit the market three years ago. Deepdale Farm, which can be leased on the short-term rental market from $9500 for three nights in the off-peak season, includes a main homestead, hangar, helipad, four-bedroom guesthouse, party barn, a museum and 300-tree olive grove. It can house 16 guests and includes a dressage arena, a four-bedroom manager’s residence and the Wonga woolshed, which was built in the early 1900s.

Outdoor areas of the farm near the village of Toodyay include a newly installed pool area as well as a tennis court and pavilion. There is also an airconditioned gym.

Deepdale is currently running 145 Angus breeding cows and heifers, as well as 1400 Merino ewes producing prime lambs, and 180ha of wheat and canola for a cash crop.

Outdoor areas of the farm near the village of Toodyay include a newly installed pool area as well as a tennis court and pavilion.

Mr Meares said there was a shortage of larger properties with good improvements close to Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

“There’s a shortage close to any of the capitals,” he said.

“Therefore a 4000 acre property located just 60 minutes from a capital city with outstanding improvements is a rare commodity and should be well sought-after.

“This, together with the history of Deepdale and its outstanding development plus possible capital appreciation in the future with subdivision, make it unique.”

Mr Meares said Perth identities such as Colin Barnett and Daniel Ricciardo, the Italian Australian racing car driver, were recent purchasers in the area.

“I think it is going to appeal to a lifestyle buyer that wants a property that will generate profits and have considerable upside in the future in a capital sense with subdivision and its proximity to Perth.

“We have had inquiry from Perth, offshore from the Middle East, and also from NSW and Victoria.”

He said there was some soft marketing of Deepdale in 2018 but the owners had decided it ­really was time to move on.