A TRUE rural lifestyle was what Mark Heanly had been seeking for his family when he purchased the Kars Springs property, "East Hills", in early 2002.
During that lifestyle has been enjoyed to a great extent, and also enhanced through the construction of a homestead that has clearly been designed to take in as much of its scenic location as possible.
Mr Heanly and his family had been living in Newcastle when they sought a tree change.
That was just under 13 years ago.
Mr Heanly said the change had been amazing for his four children - at the time the youngest four years old and the eldest nine - as they had been able to experience a rural upbringing.
Now, with the children older, and Mr Heanly busy with his work in finance, time to work on the large, 413 hectare (1020 acre) property had been limited.
He has purchased a smaller block of about four hectares closer to Scone.
"East Hills" is listed for sale with Adam O'Regan, Landmark Harcourts Scone, and Richard Royle, Colliers International, Sydney, by expressions of interest closing on February 20.
Price expectations are in the early to mid $2 million range.
The shining light of the property is the architect-designed homestead with its focus on sustainability.
Construction on the house was completed in 2005.
It has four bedrooms, an open plan living and kitchen area, with Rayburn gas oven, media room, split system air conditioning, and a Jetmaster fireplace.
Design features include nine-foot ceilings and floor to ceiling glass to make the most of the views.
Mr Heanly said the house had louvred windows which allowed for good airflow throughout.
Outside is a saltwater swimming pool and deck, while another feature, Mr Heanly said, was a purpose-built barn for entertaining, measuring 20 metres by 9m.
The barn was constructed only about three years ago.
In addition to this is a renovated three-bedroom cottage, suited to a property manager or as guest accommodation.
A large machinery shed was added to "East Hills" 10 years ago, while infrastructure also includes a set of timber and steel cattle yards with an undercover crush.
There is also a horse round yard, and an older two-stand shearing shed.
Soils are black basalts, with most of the property having natural pastures, sometimes oversown to oats, while a small portion of the property is sown to fescues and phalaris.
"East Hills" has typically carried 100 cows with calves, with a mix of Angus, Shorthorn and Hereford.
Most of the fencing on the property is less than five years old.
A bore pumps water to the top of the property, and then reticulates to the troughs, and the farm's water supply is enhanced by natural springs.
The property is about 40 kilometres west of Scone, at Kars Springs.
Contact: Adam O'Regan, 0421 721 733 or Richard Royle, 0418 961 575.