One of the largest parcels of improved grazing land to be offered in the Bathurst district for some time is reportedly generating keen local and outside investor interest.
On offer is the Linden Park aggregation at Caloola, which has been listed for sale by Elders on behalf of its longtime Sydney-based owners, Noel and Judith de Ferranti.
Mr Ferranti, a structural engineer before his retirement, bought the original Linden Park property - then a modest block of some 600 hectares - in the late 1960s.
Subsequent additions - as they became available - of six adjoining blocks have built the holding now for sale as Linden Park to a substantial 2209ha (5456ac).
And with estimated carrying capacity of some 15,000 DSE and a successful history of superfine wool growing, prime lambs and cattle breeding, Linden Park ranks as a solid Central Tablelands performer.
Situated 34 kilometres south of Bathurst where it fronts the sealed Trunkey Creek road, Linden Park is a property of mostly gently undulating country rising to steeper hills.
Soils are predominantly grey loams with heavier alluvial sections along the several creeks that intersect the property and lighter granite soils to the east, plus some red basalt on the hills.
Most of the property (about 85 per cent) is described as open grazing, with scattered shade and shelter trees, leaving 263ha of retained native timber and a mature 76ha radiata pine plantation.
The grazing country is a mix of introduced pastures - cocksfoot, prairie grass, phalaris, clovers and ryegrass - and native species, with about half the area being top-dressed each year.
Some 85ha of new pasture has been established in the past two years, and recent snowfalls have stimulated pasture growth while also giving a boost to a 62ha oats crop.
Average rainfall is about 800mm and the property is abundantly watered by four permanent creeks, 82 dams (one of which services an irrigated lucerne stand) and two equipped bores.
Historically, Linden Park has typically carried a superfine Merino flock of 4000 Alfoxton blood ewes and 3000 wethers, plus a home-bred flock of 1000 first-cross ewes, and 400 Angus breeders.
At present it is conservatively stocked with 3100 Merino ewes (due to start lambing on September 1), 1000 Merino mixed sex weaners and 1000 first-cross ewes with lambs at foot. There are no cattle.
Working improvements are substantial, reflecting the build-up of the aggregation, and include three shearing sheds (of two, three and four stands), three sets of cattle yards (one new) and extensive shedding.
The property is subdivided into 82 main paddocks serviced by laneways, with a large percentage of fencing renewed in recent years.
Five homesteads dating variously from the 1920s to the 1970s provide multiple accommodation options.
The present manager, who has been with the property for eight years and overseen much of the recent development, would consider staying on with a new owner if desired.
Offers for Linden Park close on August 30.
By PETER AUSTIN.
