MARDI Grave and her family started to feel the squeeze of urban sprawl 12 years ago.
“We could tell Warrnambool was growing; we were on the city boundary and decided that we were going to need more space,” Mardi said.
WARRNAMBOOL
ROSEBANK, 368 CARAMUT RD
PROPERTY: Lifestyle
SIZE: 17ha
SALE: Private sale
PRICE: $2.75 million
AGENT: Harris & Wood
CONTACT: Danny Harris, 03 5561 2228
Set over 17ha with 2ha of garden and 700 metres of river frontage, the historic 1881 Rosebank is the rural estate the Grave family were prepared to wait for.
“We first saw the property at an open garden years ago,” Mardi said.
“The owners were initially reluctant to sell up, however, over time we developed a relationship with them, which eventually led to a private sale.”
Occupying an elevated site overlooking the rolling hills of the Merri Valley, Rosebank is the ultimate in seclusion and serenity, which is a highlight for Mardi.
“You feel like the homestead should be well away from the town. The best part about the property is the isolation and peace you feel,” Mardi said.
That’s why, when you discover that the property is only a five-minute drive into town, you probably would not believe it.
HIGH DEMAND, LIMITED SUPPLY TO DRIVE AG LAND VALUES
MICKLEHAM DAIRY FARM NOW A PROPERTY GOLDMINE
The estate is also rich in history, with the main homestead built from the recycled bluestone from an old flour mill that was once along the banks of the river.
“For over 100 years, there was flour imprinted in the stone until the previous owners decided to blast it with a pressure hose,” Mardi said.
The five-bedroom, three-bathroom home has been renovated to incorporate all the conveniences of a modern rural lifestyle.
The renovations were a careful balancing act, Mardi said.
“We wanted to live in this day and age, but we also wanted to do the original homestead justice by retaining its essence,” she said.
“We have created a space that is absolutely magnificent.”
The grand foyer provides an impressive introduction to formal and informal living and dining spaces, while bohemia red-glass feature windows, hand-etched and signed by the master craftsman, frame the front door.
Italian marble tiles create the formal black and white flooring feature and complement the stunning Druse Crystal chandelier that Mardi said was brought back from Vienna by the previous owner, who was an antique collector.
An open-plan kitchen, dining and living zone feature a fireplace and window that frames views of the garden and floods the room with natural light.
French glass doors lead through to the homestead’s original front veranda, which has been encased in glass, creating a beautiful sun-filled informal living area.
It also features a near Olympic-sized equestrian arena, a four-bay machinery shed, hay shed, dairy shed, stables, double tack room, three horse boxes and two day yards.
Mardi said it was a regretful sale, however, with no children left at home, she and her husband were “ready to downsize”.
Add your comment to this story
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout
Western District sandstone mansion lists for $2 million-plus
One of Victoria’s finest historic rural homesteads is for sale where it is expected to field seven-figure offers. See the details.
Local farming family sells historic Victorian homestead
A slice of Victorian pastoral history has changed hands for the second time in four years after it was sold in a seven-figure deal.