In The Swim, Inside And Out

Newcastle Herald

Saturday September 29, 2007

TAHNEE WATSON

TWO charming cottages on Luskintyre Road, Luskintyre, will be up for grabs on October 13 as property developer David Jeans auctions off the first two parcels of his 303.5-hectare (750-acre) property.

The first of the cottages, known as Davron Cottage, is a two-bedroom sandstone block house on 23 hectares (57 acres).

Davron is about eight years old and has a pool, double carport, views over the countryside, a spring-fed dam and one large paddock suitable for cattle-grazing or the horse enthusiast.

Murphy Real Estate listing agent Keith Gollan said bidding on Davron was expected from $750,000.

Down the road, the second property, known as Donnybrook, sits on 40.5 hectares (100 acres) and is about 20 years old.

A quirky feature of the home is the internal pool running through the centre, with the living areas on one side and the bedrooms and bathroom on the other.

Mr Jeans said this "unusual feature" of the home was fully fenced and had not created any safety risks to children in the past.

Donnybrook has a large farm machinery shed, three operating paddocks, several dams and views over the river and valley.

Mr Gollan said bidding on Donnybrook was expected from $900,000, while the remaining six 40.5-hectare lots which make up the 303.5-hectare property would go on sale in the near future.

The auction will commence at 1pm on site at Davron Cottage, at 700 Luskintyre Road.

Priced to sell

ELRINGTON cattle producers Ross and Valerie Roe are hoping a reduced price tag and a sway of interest away from vineyards and olive orchards towards "more practical" options will spark renewed interest in their property known as Wirrimbirra.

The 36.5-hectare (90.2-acre) property first came on the market about 18 months ago through Jurd's Real Estate, with an asking price of $1.5 million.

It has since dropped to $1.2 million and the property is listed with both Jurd's and Stewart Hicks Real Estate.

The Roes have enjoyed the property for the past 19 years but say it is finally time to retire.

"We still love our cattle and we've had quite a lot of success with cattle-breeding, but we're getting quite elderly in life now. I'll be 74 years old soon and my wife isn't far behind," Mr Roe said.

The Roes' three-bedroom brick country house is about 20 years old and has a formal lounge and dining room with a slow-combustion wood heater, a large family room off the timber kitchen, a study, and a walk-in robe and ensuite off the main bedroom.

There's a wide return veranda to the northern side of the house, a games room at the rear screened by gauze, and an in-ground heated pool in the yard.

The property has nine paddocks and a 50-head stockyard with a crush and loading race, a six-bay brick machinery shed with a concrete floor and bathroom, and a charming old-fashioned timber barn with stables, an annex and loft.

Mr Roe said one of the greatest advantages of Wirrimbirra was its location, being 40 minutes from Newcastle, 25 minutes from Toronto and 10 minutes from Cessnock.

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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