circa 1825 Liffey River frontage – 77 hectares (190 acres)

The early colonial pastoral holdings were expanding when the Cressy Land Company built The Hermitage in 1825. It became the western development region of their agricultural land on the Norfolk Plains. Today, a beautifully restored homestead positioned on the banks of the Liffey River is testimony to the workmanship of that Georgian era. Giant conifer and deciduous trees have, in time created a park like garden around the home. The Liffey River is sourced in the high lake country of the Great Western Tiers and here at The Hermitage it is the home for trout and platypus. A pump house on the riverbank supplies livestock and domestic water. The sandstone, brick and bluestone constructed home has undergone major renovations in the past 15-20 years adding bedrooms and bathrooms to this fine old dwelling. An exquisite internal feature of the dcor is the extensive use of cedar in the original six panel doors and timber shutters displayed throughout the foyer, billiard room, lounge and 2 of the 5 bedrooms. The bathrooms and farm style kitchen are all of a high standard. Garden trees include English oaks, Magnolia grandiflora, quince trees, flowering crab apple (Malus ioensis), rhododendrons, liquid ambers, varieties of conifers and blackwoods. Other capital improvements include a 3 bedroom farm cottage, cattle yards, 6 bay machinery and shearing sheds. The agricultural land is subdivided internally by electric fencing to support a herd of pedigree Angus cattle. The Hermitage has in the past run flocks of British bred ewes for prime lamb production. Soils range from light red sandy loams to heavy black high nutrient clays. There is a recent history of growing poppies, cereals and fodder crops. Irrigation has also been an option.