THE historic homestead on the Young property "Clifton" was something that stood out from the outset for Robert and Cheryl Hazlett, and it played a key role in their decision to purchase the property 14 years ago.
The couple, who at the time were living in Bowral but had another property at Wallendbeen, were looking to find a home closer to their farm, and they found it in "Clifton".
About 12 kilometres from Young, "Clifton" once formed part of a much larger property comprising about 10,522ha (26,000ac).
Today it covers about 225ha (556ac) after the owners added a further (23ha) 56ac since the original purchase.
Mrs Hazlett said the house was a key factor in attracting them to the property.
"We just fell in love with the house," she said.
Before the purchase they were regularly travelling from Bowral to Wallendbeen, but after buying "Clifton" they decided to sell their property at Bowral, using "Clifton" as their base.
On it, they have run a successful farming operation in its own right.
"Clifton" offers a carrying capacity of about 2200 DSE, and is carrying about 560 crossbred ewes and prime lambs, as well as about 100 joined heifers and 80 yearlings.
The property is also growing oats and lucerne, and has also grown wheat, canola and barley.
"Clifton" is subdivided into 13 paddocks, while water includes the Burrangong Creek, an equipped bore and a large storage dam.
Average annual rainfall is 660 millimetres.
Country comprises red and brown granite soils with pastures including phalaris, clovers and rye.
Mrs Hazlett said among the improvements to "Clifton" had been a renewed water system, concrete troughs, and graded roads.
Also, the stables had been converted into an entertainment area which has been fitted out with a commercial kitchen, also making it suitable as a conference area.
This converted stables complex has the capacity to seat between 100 and 150 people, parking is available for 200 cars, and it also features bathrooms with showers.
The old stables on "Clifton" date from 1889, with the house constructed one year later, in 1890.
Nearby landholders are descendents of the original owners, with the homestead said to have been built by the then owner as a wedding present for his daughter.
The house is of sandstone and granite construction, and offers three (or a possible fourth bedroom), seven open fireplaces, cedar joinery, central heating, marble entrance hall and large entertaining areas.
"It is a beautiful home and it has a lovely air about it," Mrs Hazlett said.
The homestead gardens include a tennis court, swimming pool and gazebo.
Infrastructure on the property includes six silos, a set of cattle yards, a two-stand shearing shed and sheep yards, a hay/machinery shed and workshop.
"Clifton" is listed for private sale with Meares and Associates with a price guide between $3.5 and $4m.