Iconic Tassie farm snapped up by prominent farming family
A renowned family has acquired a famous 4353ha rural estate in central Tasmania, adding it to their significant cattle and sheep enterprise. See the details.
An iconic rural estate, located in the heart of the Apple Isle, has remained in Tasmanian hands after it was acquired by one of the state’s most prominent farming families.
State property records have revealed The Hermitage, a 4353ha rural estate located in the Tasmanian Central Highlands, was sold earlier this year to the Downie family of Dungrove.
Property records show The Point Land Company Pty Ltd, held by the Dungrove Land Company, are the new owners of The Hermitage.
The value of the transaction is understood to have been worth in the vicinity of $30 million.
The significant property was listed for sale by Melbourne-based businessman John Rose more than two years ago, marking the first time the estate was on the market in three decades.
Given the size of the landholding, it was gazetted as a locality of its own in 1966.
Farmed under management since it was acquired by Mr Rose in 1991, The Hermitage had run cattle and sheep as a mixed grazing venture, but could also be used for some limited cropping due to seasonal patterns.
The Hermitage is a significant addition to the agricultural enterprise of Peter and Anne Downie, who are based on their Dungrove property, Bothwell in central Tasmania.
A sixth generation cattle and sheep farmer, Mr Downie and his family also acquired the 7500ha Stonehouse Grazing in Lemont- a historic sheep station running 15,000 sheep as a wool and livestock enterprise.
Their latest addition, The Hermitage, is bounded by the Ouse and Shannon rivers with 38km of frontage.
A centrepiece of the rural estate is a double-storey colonial sandstone homestead built in circa-1822 with five bedrooms. There is also a three-bedroom manager’s dwelling and a one-bedroom cottage.
Elders Real Estate Launceston Rob Dixon handled the sale but was unable to comment on the transaction.
