McShane family to sell historic Tasmanian farm Stonehenge

A tightly held Tasmanian farm spanning 3386ha has hit the market for the first time in more than 70 years.

Stonehenge, located in Tasmania’s East Midlands is for sale.

A 170-year-old Tasmanian farm is for sale for the first time in three-quarters of a century where it is expected to fetch offers about $25 million.

Spanning 3386ha in the Eastern Midlands region, 30km east of Oatlands and 80km northeast of Hobart, is Stonehenge, which has been owned by the McShane family for about 75 years.

Offers of about $25 million are expected for the property, which includes 1800ha of arable to semi-arable farmland and the circa-1879, seven-bedroom sandstone homestead.

Nutrien Harcourts Tasmania selling agent Andrew Fisher said livestock and machinery are to be sold separately from the renowned farmland and homestead.

“The sale of Stonehenge represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to purchase an iconic Tasmanian property,” Mr Fisher said.

Stonehenge farm totals 3386ha of which about 1800ha is arable to semi-arable.

The McShane family have owned the property since 1947. Prior to McShane family’s tenure, it was acquired by Samuel Page in 1855.

The showpiece of the property is the Henry Hunter-designed slate roof homestead, which has been modernised as a functional home and features grand rooms, high ceilings and ornate fittings.

After Stonehenge was divided for succession planning and irrigation was developed, it was capable of carrying 14,000 dry sheep equivalent.

There are 1360ML of water rights with a half-share ownership of a 1500ML storage dam.

Irrigation comes via five 40ha pivot circles with 250mm pipe, with one pivot servicing two circles each year.

Stonehenge also has sandstone stables as part of the property.

There are a further six circles planned and there is potential for a 5000ML dam site in the southeast of the property.

About 1500ha of the property comprises native grasslands grazing, bush runs, with some commercial forest.

Existing infrastructure includes separate two-storey sandstone stables, a three-bedroom weatherboard home with open plan living and kitchen area, five-stand shearing shed capable of shedding 1500 sheep with inside sheep yards, cattle yards, chemical shed, six-bedroom shearers quarters and a slaughterhouse.

This listing of Stonehenge comes after the 4448ha Vaucluse Estate was purchased by a New Zealand family late last year for more than $100 million.