Nestled at the base of Cambewarra Mountain, Paloma’ is an exceptional five acre property offering a glorious combination of untouched pristine rainforest and manicured grounds, planted with a superb array of old roses, camellias and ornamental blossom trees. The delightfully named Good Dog Creek’ runs through the property, with a permanent swimming hole for summer dips in completely private, natural surrounds.

The current owners purchased the property in 2002, first using it as a weekender before moving to the property full-time. In 2004, the original turn-of-the-century weatherboard farmhouse was altered internally with a major renovation that has created a spacious and sophisticated contemporary country home taking full advantage of the escarpment views and garden vistas.

Sydney-based architect Simon Wakerman was engaged to draw up the design for the renovations, with construction undertaken by local builder Peter Ford.

The spacious house features wide, spotted gum floorboards throughout, with an open plan living, dining and kitchen area, including a double-sided slow combustion fireplace for winter living, and separate north-facing dining and living areas looking onto the garden, for use in the spring and summer. There is also a north-facing sunroom/library. Reverse-cycle air-conditioning adds to the comfort of the home. Most of the house is north-east facing, with the back deck facing south-west, says the current owner, so everything is positioned to allow good winter sun into the house.

The roomy country kitchen features soft-touch drawers, a pull-out pantry and island bench with double-sided storage and a separate food-preparation sink.
There are three bedrooms (with built-in wardrobes), the master bedroom featuring an en suite bathroom, a second, bathroom and a separate laundry with an extra lavatory. Outside, there is an in-ground, solar heated, saltwater pool, double garage, garden sheds, and a chicken coop and run.

As well as the ornamental gardens created by the current owners there are two orchid houses, multiple vegetable gardens and a stone fruit orchard with mature cherry, apricot, plum, peach, nashi pear, nectarine and fig trees and a citrus orchard with lemon, multiple grapefruit, blood and navel oranges, mandarin, avocado, mango and lime trees We’ve so enjoyed the gardens and the peace and quiet here, says the current owner, as well as the convenience to Berry, Nowra and Jervis Bay. It’s a great combination of tree change and sea change, as we’re also only a 12 minute drive to Seven Mile Beach to take the dog for a run in the surf. We’ve enjoyed having friends over to share good food and wines, there are lovely places to wander around the property and the escarpment provides an ever-changing vista.

Features at a glance

Five acres
Three bedrooms, master bedroom with en suite bathroom
Open plan living, dining and kitchen plus additional dining and living area and sunroom/library
Double-sided slow combustion fireplace
Reverse-cycle air-conditioning
In-ground saltwater swimming pool
Permanent creek with swimming hole
Established orchards and vegetable gardens
Double garage
Garden sheds, orchid houses, chook shed and run