History preserved at Gundagai

Yet the property’s selling agent also believes buyers should pay close attention to the land itself: a productive 60 hectares (150ac) of Tumut River flats, the kind of land which is often hard to find.

This land, combined with the homestead, makes for an ideal property package for somebody looking to run it for commercial breeding, a lifestyle or equestrian property, or as a stud.

Simon Southwell, Ray White Rural, said the quality of the homestead – and particularly the restoration of the homestead – gave the property a classic feel.

“That restoration is a real credit to the owners,” Mr Southwell said.

They are Simon and Justine Makeham, who purchased “Darbalara Homestead” in 2000 and set about restoring the house a year later.

Today, the five bedroom, three bathroom house retains historic features including the underground cellar, ballroom, wide verandahs and tall ceilings.

He said the careful restoration of the homestead to former glory by the Makehams meant it would continue to reflect its historic past well into the future, while possessing the benefits of modern touches.

The Makehams have purchased another property near Cootamundra, and so will be selling after 14 years of ownership.

“Darbalara Homestead” heads to auction early next month, on September 5.

Mr Southwell said he had received good interest in the property from from both Sydney and Canberra buyers.

The history of “Darbalara” extends back to the 1830s when William Warby took up the property.

It eventually became a dairy farm, and was highly regarded in particular during the management of JT Cole (from the late 1800s) who had his Darbalara Milking Shorthorn stud on the property.

Beyond the homestead, production is a feature, with the Makehams having run both Angus cattle and crossbred lambs throughout their ownership.

They have typically carried 60 breeders and 250 sheep, but Mr Southwell said the property was quite capable of running up to 80 breeders and 600 crossbred ewes.

The property is subdivided into 12 paddocks, with stock water reticulated to troughs.

Pasture varieties comprise lucerne, clovers and phalaris, with soils including rich alluvial river flats.

There is a 1.5 kilometre frontage to the Tumut River, which Mr Southwell said had the benefit of good water flows, as well as rainbow and brown trout.

“Darbalara Homestead” is about 20 kilometres east of Gundagai.

Average annual rainfall is 600 millimetres.

The property also has an 80 megaltire irrigation licence with an unequipped bore.

Mr Southwell said the homestead’s position had clearly been carefully selected, taking in panoramic views over the property and down to the river.

Infrastructure also includes a hay shed an an original set of old stables.

View this property on Domain Rural.