HARD on the heels of last week’s successful online auction of historic “Kippilaw”, Sydney-based agency Meares and Associates is gearing up for another big-name Goulburn sale.
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The company has listed for sale “Lark Hill”, the former stud property made famous by the late Brigadier George Hurst and held in more recent years by the Mitchell family.
Under Hurst ownership during the 1950s and ’60s, “Lark Hill” was home to a prominent Red Poll cattle stud that regularly took top awards and sold bulls throughout Australia and abroad.
After Brigadier Hurst’s death in 1972 the property was sold off in portions, one of which was bought in the early 1980s by Geoffrey Mitchell and his wife Pamela, then preparing to “wind down” from other pastoral ventures.
During the ensuing decade the Mitchells acquired other blocks from Hurst’s original “Lark Hill” (including the homestead block in 1991) plus adjoining country, resulting in the 504 hectare (1245ac) aggregation now for sale as “Lark Hill”.
The Mitchells both died a few years ago and now the property is being offered for sale by their two daughters, presenting a prized entry opportunity to a sought-after rural locality.
“Lark Hill” will be offered by Meares Online Auction over three days from April 8, with buyers having the option of lodging bids for the property as a whole, or in three portions.
With its prime location just 10 minutes from Goulburn and two hours from Sydney, “Lark Hill” will appeal to lifestyle seekers, but also to investors as a productive farm and “land bank”.
The “land bank” option stems from the six-lot subdivision in place for the property, maximising its future resale potential.
About 10 kilometres south-east of Goulburn, “Lark Hill” is set in attractive, gently undulating grazing country, much of it originally forming part of Gundary Plains Station.
The property has a mix of alluvial, basalt and granite-type soils, average rainfall of 620-640mm and a long history of pasture improvement, topdressing and fodder conservation.
It now supports about 250 Angus and Hereford breeding cows and their followers, augmented until recently by up to 800 agistment sheep.
Substantial upgrading works undertaken by the Mitchells on “Lark Hill” include a major dam-building and water reticulation program, laneway fencing and erection of four large sheds.
Stock handling is further facilitated by a set of undercover steel cattle yards dating back to the property’s days as a stud farm.
The main homestead, built in the 1930s for Brigadier Hurst and set in park-like surrounds, is of double-brick construction and has four bedrooms, large living rooms, a spa bath and sauna.
Adjacent to the homestead is an indoor swimming pool and a brick stables complex, while around the property are three well-maintained cottages, all now rented.
Bids for “Lark Hill” as a whole are expected in a range from $3.5 to $4 million. Alternatively, buyers may submit pro-rata bids for “Lark Hill Farm” (328ha), “Beedling North (78ha) and “Lake Hurst” (97ha).
Contact Meares and Associates, (02) 9362 8111.
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.
