Historic homestead Round Hill Homestead, Culcairn, for sale

CAM Mackie used to drive past Round Hill as a child and dream about owning the historic homestead.

Round Hill Homestead Culcairn

CAM Mackie used to drive past Round Hill as a child on the way to his grandfather’s property across the road and dream about owning the historic homestead.

He and his wife, Wendy, bought Round Hill three years ago but changing circumstances have resulted in the difficult decision to put it back on the market.

“With work commitments I’m never there and I just don’t think we are doing it justice,” said Cam, who owns engineering firms in Western Australia and Holbrook.

“Everyone who has had it prior to us has done a lot to it, we’ve done a lot to it, so it would break my heart to see it go backwards with me not being there.”

Established in 1845 and once part of the original eastern Riverina runs, Round Hill is one of the most renowned properties in Australia.

 

CULCAIRN

ROUND HILL HOMESTEAD

PROPERTY: Cropping, livestock

SIZE: 270ha

SALE: Auction, October 30, 2.30pm on site

PRICE: $3 million-plus

AGENT: Landmark Harcourts Rural Albury

CONTACT: Brian Liston, 0428 931 894

 

The landholding now comprises 270ha of Billabong Creek flats that are suitable for cropping or running livestock.

In the three years the Mackies have owned Round Hill they have spent considerable effort improving pastures for fattening cattle.

Formerly the home of the Hagley Limousin stud, the property has a good stock and domestic watering system and a laneway system to support a similar enterprise. There is also a woolshed built in 1876 using hand-sawn timber that has been well maintained and now features modern steel yards.

A machinery shed built by Anthony Hordern in the 1950s is a sight to behold, says Cam.

“It would have been so expensive to build there’s not a farmer in Australia who would even contemplate doing it now,” he said.

The homestead, dated around 1846, is the centrepiece of the property.

An entrance hall, formal lounge and deep verandas are among the classic features alongside a modernised kitchen, bathrooms and open-plan living areas.

There are entertaining areas both inside and out and original station outbuildings have been converted into guest accommodation.

The house is set in gardens that feature a pool, sweeping lawns and some of the property’s many ancient red gum and yellow box trees.

Round Hill is 2km east of Culcairn on the Holbrook road.