Two “plum” lifestyle-come-grazing properties flanking the crest of the Great Dividing Range near Crookwell will go to auction next month, affording rare entry opportunities to a sought-after locality.
The properties, “Lake Birubi” of 130 hectares (321ac) and “Middle Creek” of 215ha (530ac), are about six kilometres apart fronting the Third Creek Road, just east of the Great Divide.
Both are characterised by rich basalt soils, highly improved pastures and reliable rainfall making them viable productive properties well suited to a range of enterprises, despite their modest scale.
Both are also ideally suited to “tree change” buyers, being within 2.5 hours of Sydney and five minutes’ drive from the bustling town of Crookwell.
Paul McIntosh of Ray White Goulburn has listed the properties for auction sale on September 7 on behalf of local businessman Peter Griffith and his wife Adrienne.
The couple bought the properties in separate transactions a few years ago and have been breeding and fattening cattle successfully, but they are selling now to focus on their expanding off-farm interests.
Both “Lake Birubi” and “Middle Creek” were earlier owned by Michael and Annette Tynan who founded their successful Birubi Limousin stud there in the 1980s, before relocating to Wagga Wagga.
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Described as mostly level to undulating, and 70-80 per cent arable, both properties are predominantly north-east facing and protected from the worst of the weather by topography and shelter belts.
Average rainfall is in the 800-900mm range and both properties have reticulated water systems supplying paddock troughs.
“Lake Birubi”, the smaller of the two blocks, has an estimated carrying capacity of 15 DSE/ha (six DSE/ac) and is now carrying 120 cows, but over the years has hosted sheep, stud cattle and horses.
Fenced laneways connect paddocks with the central working area, while post-and-rail fencing (a carryover from the previous owners’ horse stud) and planted tree lines enhance the property’s appearance.
A comfortable rendered brick home of three bedrooms (currently rented) with modern kitchen, ducted wood heating and air conditioning is set in landscaped surrounds with a double garage.
A site has also been established for a new, council-approved architect-designed homestead, for which plans are available.
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Working structures include a large (27m x 24m) machinery/hay shed with concrete floor and horse/cattle pens and modern steel cattle yards with crush and vet shed.
The larger “Middle Creek” block, of heavy red to lighter basalt loam soils, slopes gently down to the spring-fed Middle Creek which forms its eastern boundary.
Improved pastures of phalaris, cocksfoot, tall fescue, ryegrass and clovers cover most of the property supporting a carrying capacity estimated at 11.5 DSE/ha (4.6 DSE/ac).
A 12ha crop of winter oats is providing useful grazing for the property’s 120 cows and 60 steers while spelled pastures (pictured with selling agent Paul McIntosh) respond to a timely fall of 25mm earlier this month.
Two laneway systems lead to the central steel cattle yards with their crush and covered working area, which adjoins the only building on the property, a lockable five-bay Colorbond storage shed.
Both properties are expected to attract bidding above $2 million when offered at auction in Goulburn on September 7.