Emu Retreat, a character packed, historic former farmhouse built in 1888, offers a total of 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, 5.7 acres of private, surrounding grounds..and the lifestyle that you have always dreamt of.
The property consists of 2 buildings, the main renovated farmhouse cottage, with its picture perfect symmetrical stone frontage, period features and country charm inside and out, and a fantastic detached and fully self-contained studio converted from the former stables. Boasting a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, open plan living space and its own outdoor area, this beautifully finished, versatile building would make an exceptional B&B (STCC) in the most picturesque setting. Alternatively, those working or running a business from home would find this a peaceful escape, artists an inspirational studio premises, permanent or temporary extended family members a home away from home.
Renovated and modernised throughout, the main dwelling boasts a stunning bathroom and beautiful modern kitchen, both of which sympathetically integrate with the original character of the building. Original fireplaces, slate flagstone flooring, lofty matchboard ceilings, beautiful wooden cottage doors, chunky timber architraves..all of this contained within lovely thick stone walls and framed by pretty sash picture windows and big wrap around walls of glass overlooking the surrounding gardens.
Cosy winter evenings can be spent indoors in front of the wood heater with a glass of wine, or outside huddled around the original kiln, cooking dinner on the glowing embers. Gather friends and family together and impress them with a bonfire party by the magnificent purpose built fire pit within the front gardens. A large wood lot provides all the supplies you need to keep up the fun all winter long. Summer can be spent enjoying the 5.7 acres of flat grounds, pottering in the gardens whilst the kids play in the safe, fenced paddock with the pony, goats, sheep or alpacas. Or perhaps just relaxing underneath the tranquil verandah soaking up the serenity.
Features include:
Main home:
* 4 spacious bedrooms in total, all with new carpeting
* 2 symmetrical front bedrooms, one with beautiful exposed stone wall and both with huge, high matchboard ceilings, original fireplaces, old timber doors, chandelier light fittings and deep inset windows with beautiful curtain and blind treatments
* 3rd bedroom with cute picture window overlooking rear garden and outdoor entertaining, sloping matchboard ceiling, wooden door and deep arched fireplace alcove with brick hearth and inset slow combustion wood heater
* 4th bedroom a huge sleep-out off the family room, with long playroom/study area, and designated bedroom space all with a wall of wrap around windows, roller blinds, sloping matchboard ceiling, wall air-conditioning unit and a cute wooden door to front verandah
* Huge dual aspect open plan living room
* Spacious carpeted lounge area with slow combustion wood heater, ceiling fan, built in shelving and huge wrap around windows with lovely roller/ roman blinds
* Large dining space with polished concrete floor, built in shelving and French doors to outdoor patio area
* Beautiful farmhouse style kitchen with white cabinetry, wooden bench tops, double butler sink, huge central island bench, microwave nook, roller door utility cupboards, Smeg dishwasher, 900mm stainless steel Smeg freestanding range oven set inside original brick alcove, slate flagstone floor, huge window overlooking outdoor entertaining and gardens and door to outside
* Substantial family bathroom, beautifully finished with sandstone look tiled flooring, matchboard wood panelling, freestanding bath, huge corner shower with sandstone effect tiling, double vanities, heat lamps, skylight and pretty picture window
* Spacious entrance hallway with big old timber front door with leadlight feature window above, slate flagstone flooring, lofty ceilings, thick stone walls and decorative internal door with stained glass, to rear hallway with built in cupboards
* Huge external laundry room with painted concrete floor, built in cupboards, adjacent store room off, steps down to cellar
* External bathroom with toilet, vanity and shower
* Outdoor entertaining area spacious pitched roof verandah off the kitchen/ family room with sandstone pavers, chandelier light fitting and exposed stone walls, external windows and fully fitted with caf blinds for a sheltered, all year round outdoor living space
* Spacious front verandah with decorative balustrading
* Built 1888. Open plan extension comprising lounge/kitchen/dining added in around 1990. Kitchen and Bathroom both completely gutted and remodelled in 2005
Studio:
* Beautiful timber entrance door into porch area with paved floor, big wooden window and exposed stone wall
* Quaint bedroom with wooden ceiling, huge exposed stone wall, mirrored built in robes, adorable little window and slate floor
* Spacious open plan living space with lots of windows, raked ceilings, polished concrete floor, matchboard wood panelling to the walls, ceiling fan, Nectre slow combustion wood heater, storage mezzanine with ladder and sliding doors to outside
* Good size kitchen area with timber cupboards, built in micro-oven, gas cook top and breakfast bar
* Bathroom with shower cubicle with glass block feature, toilet, vanity with wooden bench top and built in cupboards
* Large, private red brick paved outdoor entertaining area
* Original stables extended approximately 20 years ago
Grounds:
* 5.7 flat acres
* Massive workshop/ double garage with concrete floor, power, lights, skylights and big sliding door
* Two further single carports, one enclosed as well as option to store cars/boats etc in enclosed workshop garage if desired
* Top paddock approx. 60 x 55m, planted with 100 trees, half spotted gum and casuarinas, fully fenced and historically an emu enclosure
* Middle paddock approx. 60×60 planted with 200 spotted gum trees, around 12 years old
* Bottom paddock 60x110m planted with around 900 trees, 80% spotted gum, 10% casuarina and 10% acacia, 15 years old
* Long gravel driveway leading past vineyards and wood lot up to the property which is situated towards the rear of the block
* Gated entrance to circular driveway and central garden feature/ seating area with original brick kiln
* 4 separately fenced paddocks, ideal for small livestock or a pony
* Large fenced rear garden with big lawned area, dominated by a beautiful, massive stringy bark
* Cubby house
* Red brick pathways meander through the gardens and connect several decorative red brick paved patio areas around the home
* Chook shed
* Fruit trees and veggie patch
* Pretty front garden with picket fence
* Purpose built fire pit with circular red brick paved patio surround
* Rainwater plumbed to home. House and studio roof collected rainwater transported by underground pipes to underground storage tank in front of house or into above ground tank near bonfire pit. Water from below ground tank automatically pumped into top two above ground storage tanks on southern boundary by manual controlled pump. These tanks may be automatically pumped for house and/or irrigation and may be switched at any time to towns water
* Solar hot water system with electric boost
Packed full of features and rammed with character and history, as if all of this wasnt enough to complete your dream lifestyle, then wait until you see the setting. Just 10 minutes to Willunga or Aldinga Beach, surrounded by vineyards, with countryside extending to all sides as far as you can see and the Mount Lofty Ranges creating a stunning backdrop, youll have the removalists on standby before youve even signed on the dotted line.
Nick van Vliet First National Real Estate takes pride in presenting this property to the market. We welcome your enquiry and encourage you to call or email Nick van Vliet for more information, Im here to help you.
Some words from the vendors:
“We are moving to be next to the beach.
We love hosting gatherings around the bonfire and having dinner parties for 20 in the dining/kitchen/living – with the windows at both ends, it feels as though you are dining amongst the trees. The light pouring in the back room during the day is something beautiful that we will never tire of. Sitting inside with a glass of red and a book by the wood combustion stove in winter is a treat. Having long hot soaks in the freestanding bath in the main bathroom The quiet, hear neither cars nor people. Gazing at the stars at night – it is so clear out hear. Seeing a family of kangaroos hopping by. The children love playing in the “forest” which is the spotted gum paddock, climbing trees, having parties in the cubby house, tending to the veggie patch and building their own unique cubbies in various places throughout the paddocks. It is wonderful for them to be able to wander and potter about independently, but also safely as we are fully fenced. It is a beautiful home, we will miss it.”