2019 Year in Review - Property

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own island? Or perhaps running an award-winning olive grove is more your thing? Perhaps you can see yourself kicking back at a luxury alpine retreat? In 2019, About Regional‘s property coverage featured the very best of the region and promised something for everyone to love, from a peach orchard in Araluen to cliff-top coastal homes to a marvellous mansion in Yass.

Here’s a second look at some of our favourite properties showcased on About Regional over the past year.

10. Former Methodist church faithfully converted and up for sale in Yass
by Glynis Quinlan

Last January we took a look at a former Methodist church dating back to 1871 which was on the market in Yass. It had been faithfully converted into a striking multi-level home which gives added meaning to the term ‘cathedral ceilings’, we wrote.

Curious Yass residents were among those quick to take a look at the four-bedroom three-bathroom home which not too long ago was in ‘a derelict state’ but was transformed into a sophisticated home.

9. Commanding and impressive yet tasteful and comfortable: a true country estate
by Lisa Herbert

“Urimbirra”, at 40 Mount Dromedary Trail, Tilba, is a magnificent and commanding residence, nestled in the emerald green hills of its stunning rural location, and one lucky buyer had the chance to become its new owner after it was offered for sale in October.

8. Want to own your own island? There’s a 122-hectare one for sale on the South Coast
by Glynis Quinlan

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own island? If so, check out this rare opportunity that came up during 2019 to buy a 122-hectare island on the NSW South Coast – only 20 minutes’ drive from Jervis Bay and two-and-a-half hours from Canberra.

Burraga Island – often known as Pig Island – was up for sale near Nowra and attracted a lot of interest from owner-occupiers as it was far more affordable than the exotic islands normally owned by billionaires.

7. Invest in an era when buildings passed the test of time
by John Thistleton

In June we visited a splendid old inn near Cathcart on the wind-swept Monaro plains. Built in 1838, the timber and iron ridge puts many of the shiny new apartment towers rising into the skyline to shame. “The ridgepole is as straight as it was on the day it was made,” says Bombala historian Pam Thompson.

The inn once held a library of 400 books and sold spirits to slake the thirst of bullock drivers hauling salt, sugar and flour from the wharves of Eden, Tathra and Merimbula.

6. 1830’s Georgian Moruya homestead on the market
by Alex Rea

When the National Trust-listed Kiora House came up for sale during 2019, Heritage NSW described it as arguably the most sophisticated early house built in the region. The home is a handsome colonial era homestead just outside Moruya overlooking the Deua River. It was built by John Hawdon in 1832-33 on land granted in 1831.

5. Boutique vineyard and home for sale in the heart of Bega Valley
by Glynis Quinlan

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own vineyard among rolling green hills then a property for sale for $699,000 in the heart of the Bega Valley could make all your wishes come true, we wrote in June. Featured on River Cottage Australia, the 25-acre property has about 2,200 established vines consisting of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Shiraz, Mataro and Grenache with a yearly capacity of six tonnes and a potential yearly income ranging between $30,000 and $60,000.

4. With only three previous owners since 1860, Bega’s ‘Brianderry’ offers beauty and history but also a future
by Elka Wood

Are you looking for an idyllic rural property with income potential from 35 paddocks and no worries about water sourcing? That’s the question we asked in July, when a beautifully restored 1870’s farmhouse set on 330 acres went on the market. The property includes 2.5 km of Bega River frontage and the associated generous water licence which would allow the ex dairy farm to be run as a working farm again, we wrote.

3. “It will break my heart to leave this place” – Prue and Merv selling up their Wallagoot paradise
by Elka Wood

In August we reported that a Wallagoot paradise flooded with light and perfect for an artist was on the market. Listing agent Gerry Tarlington said the unique Bega Valley property is ideal for those with an appreciation of architecture and form.

“The moment you see and touch this home, you’ll see the quality of build and the timeless quality of the design.”

2. Three week community reno on one of Bega’s most prestigious old homes
by Elka Wood

Carly Farrugia and her partner, Brogo-raised carpenter Liam McManus, wanted to find a house with character that they could reinvent into their future home. They certainly got what they were looking for when they bought Cranbrook, a nine-bedroom house dating back to the late 1800s. We visited the property in January, mid-reno, to take a look at how things were going.

“The appeal of the house was how run-down it was,” Farrugia laughs. “We wanted a future home but we also wanted a massive project, something with the kind of character that warranted putting a lot of work into it.”

1. House Rules heads to Gundaroo and Canberra to renovate a crumbling 1800s’ cottage
by Glynis Quinlan

Channel Seven’s hit program House Rules headed to Gundaroo during 2019, with residents Katie and Alex Middlemiss handing over the keys to their crumbling historic cottage to fellow contestants for a makeover. The episode saw Katie and Alex taking a break while the five other teams discover the delights of renovating their home in tiny Gundaroo.

And the final outcome? We reported that the cottage not only doubled in size, but doubled in value as well.

Join us again tomorrow as we reveal the top food and wine stories that had you talking in 2019.