One of the few remaining commercial-scale grazing properties in the historic and closely-settled Bungendore district has been listed for sale to bring to an end five generations of continuous occupation by the Hyles family.
“Woodlands” was taken up more than 150 years ago by Richard and Jessie Hyles and is being sold now as part of a succession plan by Bruce Hyles and his family.
Sydney-based rural property agents Meares and Associates will offer the 1157 hectare (2861ac) property at on-line auction on November 15-16, when it is expected to draw competition from grazing interests, serious investors and lifestyle seekers alike.
Situated eight kilometres south of Bungendore with views northwards to Lake George, “Woodlands” is a handy 46 kilometres from Canberra and under three hours’ drive from Sydney, putting it comfortably within the popular “tree change” belt.
Although still managed successfully as a commercial grazing operation, based on Merino sheep, the property has obvious potential for subdivision up to a maximum of 14 lots, to meet the steady demand from Canberra for small holdings.
Rising from alluvial creek flats to low hills and quartz ridges, “Woodlands” is a property of mostly podzolic soil types typical of the Braidwood district, and responds well to topdressing (the last application was in 2010).
About 420ha of the area has been sown over the years to introduced pastures of phalaris, cocksfoot and clovers, leaving a balance of native grasses including microlaena and spear grass.
Although the country has been substantially cleared of its native timber over many years, more than 200,000 pine trees have been planted, either in a 120ha dedicated woodlot or in strategic shelter belts.
Average rainfall is 640mm and the property is watered by 43 dams, an equipped bore and semi-permanent creeks.
As presently managed, “Woodlands” is operated as a woolgrowing concern, with a self-replacing Merino flock of Hazeldean bloodlines producing adult fleeces of 4.5-5kg and 19-19.5 microns.
In recent years a proportion of the ewe flock has been mated to Border Leicester rams to produce first-cross lambs, the ewe portion of which has commanded ready competition at the annual regional summer restocker sales.
The property’s estimated carrying capacity of 2600-3000 DSE offers considerable upside potential, with further investment in pasture establishment and infrastructure.
A dormant feature of “Woodlands” is its Victorian-style homestead of rendered brick/rubble construction, built in the 1870s as a wedding present for Jessie Hyles and subsequently renovated and extended to meet changing family requirements.
Set in established gardens with a decomposed granite tennis court, the four-bedroom homestead is ripe for another makeover and offers potential for tasteful restoration to its former status as one of the district’s classic homes.
Further accommodation is available in a detached three-bedroom outbuilding close to the homestead, a two-bedroom weatherboard cottage currently leased, a five-room shearers’ quarters and the former schoolhouse, now serving as a bunkhouse.
Working improvements include a five-stand shearing shed with timber sheep yards, a machinery shed with concrete bays and a silo.
Bidding for “Woodlands” is expected to reach $2.8 million to $3m, reflecting the property’s strategic location and notional value as a land bank.