Landmark Southern NSW property Pejar Park up for auction

Famed for its award-winning homestead gardens, renowned Goulburn district grazing property Pejar Park is on the market for just the second time since 1939.

The 573-hectare Woodhouselee property is being sold by Chris Meares from Sydney-based Meares & Associates. He says the home has three key features: the four-bedroom bluestone homestead, the classic country garden, and six-kilometres of “magnificent” dam frontage.

“The first thing about Pejar Park is its location. If you live in Canberra or Sydney it’s easy to get to. And then, when you get here, what really strikes you is the homestead. It’s a lovely classic homestead,” he says.

“It’s not a modern home, but it was designed by John Mansfield, who in the fifties and sixties in Sydney was arguably the leading residential architect of his time. He renovated the 1870s homestead so that anyone could enjoy living there.

“In a climate like Canberra or Goulburn it’s important to maximise light and sun, and so the main homestead faces to the north and east. It’s a very private and well-designed family home.”

The award-winning homestead gardens (Pejar Park won first prize in a Sydney Morning Herald garden competition in 1965, among other accolades) are another highlight.

“The garden was influenced by Edna Walling, who in her time was probably Australia’s leading garden architect. If you’re walking through the gardens you can see many of the classic plants, like the peony roses, that are still there,” Chris explains.

“The garden is set in a beautiful tree area protected from prevailing weather. It’s a lovely spot. Then, if you drive out across the farm, one of the features is the terrific six-kilometres of dam frontage overlooking Pejar Dam.”

At almost eighty years old, Pejar Park has, unlike many properties of a similar vintage, only been sold once. Bought by Len and Beatrice Bligh in 1939, the property remained in the family until 2007 when it was bought by the current owner.

“Pejar Park has really only had two owners. That’s always a sign of a good property,” Chris says.

The current owner has undertaken substantial work over the past decade. Given normal seasons, the property can carry up to 2500 crossbred ewes, compared to 1160 merino and crossbred ewes in 2007.

As a result, it’s a farm with significant income earning opportunities – and ideal for Sydneysiders and Canberrans looking for a tree-change.

“Today people want to buy a farm which will make money and not be a bottomless pit. This is a serious working farm.

“Most of the people out of Sydney and Canberra [who are interested in this property] are looking for a working lifestyle farm. It’s big enough that you can employ a professional manager. And it’s a farm that you can either go and enjoy with friends and visitors, or get your hands dirty and be part of the farm staff,” Chris says.

With land in the nearby area selling for between $3500 and $6000 per acre, Chris expects the property “will go somewhere possibly in the five-million- to six-million-dollar range.”

Pejar Park will be auctioned online by Sydney’s Meares & Associates on 17 December 2018. For more information or to arrange an inspection, contact Chris Meares (0414 770 703) or Sam Johnston (0448 131 398).

Original Article published by Amy McPhillips on the RiotACT.