A special piece of rural history

Special properties don't come up for sale often and in the case of Macquarie, with only three owners in over 200 years of settlement, this is especially the case.

As reward for his part in finding a route across the previously impenetrable Blue Mountains in 1813, William Lawson chose this land in the picturesque and fertile Fish River valley, noting it as the finest land in the district.

He had cattle on the property by 1815 and a homestead built by 1824.

In an area where property sizes tend to be reducing in size, Macquarie, at more than 466 hectares (1150 acres), is a significant holding with scope for many agricultural pursuits.

Few properties in this area could offer such a large area of river flats with irrigation potential.

With 161 hectares of fertile alluvial river flats, it is easy to see why Lawson chose this site.

The remaining land is all cleared, open, arable and gently undulating - suitable for farming or grazing

There is good potential for irrigation with a 140 megalitre licence from the long Fish River frontage.

Macquarie is ideally located just minutes from the progressive regional city of Bathurst and approximately two hours drive from Sydney.

Macquarie homestead is a unique example of early colonial Georgian architecture.

Completed in 1824 and with the property having only three owners in 200 years, the character and lines of the original are still very much evident today.

The sprawling 27 room homestead has two wings framing a rear courtyard and has been extensively restored.

Adjacent to the main house are the original two-story convict barracks, also fully restored.

Working improvements include a three stand woolshed, large hay/machinery shed, separate sheep and cattle yards plus sundry other buildings.

Macquarie will be offered for sale by public auction at 10.30am on Friday, July 5.