YOU don't have to be a cattle duffer to appreciate the unique features of "Owvalli" - a Mid North Coast hinterland property due to be auctioned next week - but Captain Starlight would surely have been impressed.
The property occupies a valley almost completely ringed by forested hills, giving it a degree of privacy rarely found on a large landholding - let alone one within an hour's drive of a popular seaside resort.
"Owvalli" is a property of 832 hectares (2056ac) located near Yarras, west of Wauchope and 70 kilometres from Port Macquarie, where it will be auctioned next Wednesday by Kevin Debreceny Real Estate.
It is owned by Carole Williams, who bought it (with her then husband) 34 years ago and is selling now to retire from active farming.
The property comprises about 240ha of cleared, level to undulating apple gum country of native pastures, rising to the steeper timbered ridges of hardwood and rainforest that form a natural encircling "rampart".
Now carrying 200 breeders, the property offers potential to lift production through further subdivision (beyond the present six paddocks) and establishment of improved pastures.
Situated, as it is, in a region noted for its reliability of rainfall, the property is all but drought-proof, with average rainfall of about 1250 millimetres and several flowing creeks which rise in the surrounding hills.
The principal stream, Rushes Creek, joins the Hastings River between Yarras and Ellenborough.
Springs and dams provide further water security for the six paddocks.
The large, "country style" homestead, built in stages since 1980, is of aluminium clad construction and set amid landscaped gardens with sweeping valley views.
Flanked by wide verandahs on all sides, the four-bedroom homestead boasts two lounge areas as well as an open-plan family/dining room area.
A second cottage close to the main homestead offers guest or caretaker accommodation, and power for all buildings is supplied by solar electricity backed up by a farm generator.
Other structures include a four-car garage, a large, enclosed steel machinery and storage shed with workshop area, and a large set of steel cattle yards with crush and loading ramp.
Although earlier listed for private sale at $1.5 million, the property is now intended to be sold on auction day for the going price, which is expected to be around the $1m mark.
Prospective buyers are likely to include semi-retirees from larger inland grazing properties and city folk in search of a rural getaway close to the coast offering privacy, commercial scale and ease of management.
A possible selling point is the fact that the property is held under 11 titles, making it well suited to a multiple ownership structure.
Contact Kevin Debreceny Real Estate, (02) 6584 9555.
Peter Austin
Former editor and long time columnist and property writer for The Land.
Former editor and long time columnist and property writer for The Land.
