Successive upgrades of the Pacific Highway have brought parts of the Mid North Coast and its rich hinterland to within three hours’ drive of Sydney, including the picturesque locality of Nabiac.
Situated on the Wallamba River, Nabiac is a bustling village of about 1250 souls situated 23 kilometres inland from Forster, and just 3km east of Nabiac, also on the river, is a rich prize for a discerning buyer.
The 65ha (160ac) grazing and lifestyle property known as “Logan Leigh” has hit the market and will go to auction on May 29 through Webster Nolan Real Estate in Sydney and NSW Farms and Property of Wingham.
Owned since 2006 by Fiona Campbell and her husband Mark Reilly, “Logan Leigh” takes its name from William Logan, who bought the property in 1898 from its founding settler, George Greenaway.
Other owners came and went, including the Wright family of Mormon background, who built the present homestead in 1920, and for many years the property was one of the district’s many dairy farms.
Milk would be conveyed to the local factory at Tuncurry by the daily “cream boat”, which loaded the cans from a jetty on the river bank.
As dairying declined, “Logan Leigh” was switched to grazing of beef cattle, and today is home to a locally acclaimed herd of 55 Angus breeders.
When the present owners bought the property they were still working at their respective careers and relied on regular help from Fiona’s parents, who were off the land.
But since 2009 both Fiona and Mark have retired from fulltime work and have enjoyed spending more of their time on the property, until the time has now come for them to take retirement a stage further.
Privately situated within a horseshoe bend of the Wallamba River, “Logan Leigh” comprises mostly rich alluvial flats with areas of clay-based loam soils.
Pastures are a mix of native grasses and clovers and introduced ryegrasses, clover, oats and chicory, regularly topdressed, plus a paddock of setaria that is locked up each year to cut for silage.
Average rainfall is a generous 1230mm and the property’s 11 paddocks are watered by 10 dams, a large lagoon and a reticulation system from a large dam to 11 troughs.
The original Logan homestead underwent major renovation – including the addition of the second storey – in the 1980s and has been further updated by the present owners.
Set in established gardens overlooking the river, the attractive timber homestead has four bedrooms, formal and family living areas, wide verandahs and a large entertaining area with in-ground pool.
Nearby is a large (1230 sq metre) multi-purpose building with concrete floor incorporating machinery shed, lockable storage, games area and granny flat.
Other working structures include a hay shed, timber cattle yards, stables and tack room.
Bidding for “Logan Leigh” is expected in a range from $3 million to $3.4m, with the successful purchaser having the option to deal also on livestock and plant.
