“The Praire” – 28.4 HA – 70.2Acres

Elevated yet very private at the end of a current no through road this land offering has had only two owners in the last 100 years. The first settlers were John Ryder and John Kain.

The heritage has been verified as dating back to 1840 when John Ryder and John Kain took up section 3830. A christening, notably occurring on the property in 1846 held by Father Murphy for 19 persons with what was then the stone shearers quarters, built next to the stone cottage.

Today the stone shearers quarters offer modern amenities with a undercover front verandah entertainment area, spacious living room with slow combustion style gas oven and a large split reverse cycle system. The bathroom offers toilet and spa bath facilities, the kitchen with solid timber cupboards and Westinghouse stove/hot plates. The bedroom is quite spacious.

The original stone cottage offers all the hallmarks of its 1850′s heritage with stone window lintels timber arch supports over the windows and a huge stone fireplace plus the original stone chimney protruding well above the high gable roof line. Today the modern amenities built onto the rear include a light and bright family room and an adjoining second bedroom. The original living area of the Settlers Cottage offers a spacious kitchen area with the open fireplace in the original main bedroom – which also provides linen storage/dressing room facilities. A modern slow combustion style gas heater has also been installed. The bathroom offers a colonial style timber vanity and toilet and spa bath over shower. Both the kitchen and bathrooms include the original flagstone flooring. The laundry is walk through.

The Settlers Cottage also offers instant gas hot water, the other cottage (formerly shearers quarters) has an electric hot water service. The Settlers Cottage has an installed white ant control system, furthermore, importantly both cottages have had professionally installed deep drainage agdrains around both of them, extended out to the lower land.

Both cottages and all of the farm buildings offer modern roofing and there are many rainwater tanks in and about the building farm complex. Furthermore, the original large in ground stone tank which has had a liner installed – is also in use today together with entertainment deck sturdily built on top of tank.

Whilst there is mains water connected to the property the bore has an incredible output ( a new Grundfos 25HP pump, installed approximately 18 months ago for $27,000). Mount Barker pumps have advised the pump is down the hole at about 60 metres (with new casings also installed). The bore pumps to the 20,000 gallon cement header tank has an output/input of approximately 10,000 gallons at the said header tank (the bore hole having a much higher output yield 15,000 gallons plus). There is also a dam on the Eastern boundary.

The total salt content is quoted at approximately 1700ppm, certain paddocks, many years ago used to grow potatoes from this bore, the land together with its significant water supply was part of a 310 acre estate, there are cement troughs to each paddock plus new plastic trough at the rear of the hayshed.

There are 5 main paddocks, two with underground mains and 4 hydrants. The water allocation/licence is a huge 36,036 k/l or 36 mg/l. Hay is taken from the property (about half of the land) providing 180 of 5 x 4 round bales, which can be stacked 3 high in the hay shed.

Further up from the cottages is the lockable workshop with cement flooring and 3 phase power. The original 5 stand shearing shed is 50′ x 50′ (today 1 stand) and is structurally built with Jarrah timber. Behind the shed there is further heritage with the stone building (original shearing/under cover areas still intact – today enclosed with two large stable doors for horse stabling and double yarding with modern professional installed cement flooring.

There are a good set of cattle yards with the modern head lock system installed, overflow yarding and easy access for the loading and delivery of cattle. The entire perimeter of the property has been electrified (also some of the internal fencing). Over half the land is clean with winter mix clover/rye grasses (irrigation lucerne was also used years ago). So ideal hay paddocks! Up until recently 35 breeders were kept on the property, as well as the production of approximately 180 of 5 x 4 round bales.

From the original flagstone verandahs, the stone walling, the heritage roses, – all complimenting the heritage cottages – today a very rare larger acreage property, highly developed with significant water supplies – the very basis of an enviable lifestyle whether it’s a private get away, a stud, specialised horticultural activities or Air BnB.

Yes, very private – up a no through road to the front gate – yet minutes from Central Mount Barker and 30 minutes from Adelaide. A wonderful property to come home to, the ambience of such is really quite rare and special.

You will be the third owner in 100 years – with the infrastructure and certainly the heritage now well and truly a premium.

Notably there is also 5 acres of road leased from the Council (5 years) for $74 per year.