"Nioka" is renowned sheep and cattle property in the noted Benalla – Wangaratta district. Situated 7km from the Historic Glenrowan, 15km from Benalla and 22km from Wangaratta. Just over 2 hours from Melbourne and Victoria’s snowfields. Comprising of 485.4 hectares plus 25.3 leasehold (1200 acres plus 62.5 leasehold.)
The residence is a lovely rendered brick and weatherboard homestead with 4 bedrooms, office, sewing room (5th bedroom), storeroom, dinning room, very large sitting room, renovated bathroom, large laundry with shower, renovated kitchen with blackwood cupboard, Smeg stove, dishwasher, gas HWS, 2 combustion wood heaters, 2 open fireplaces in bedrooms. Polished hardwood flooring in dinning room and passage, tiles in kitchen and bathroom, remainder being carpet. Double garage and garden sheds. Homestead is set amongst an outstanding garden with outdoor spa surrounded by timber decking. The manager’s residence (400m from the homestead) is a cyprus vertical weatherboard 3 bedroom home. Bathroom, open plan kitchen dinning sitting room, gas HWS and stove, Coonara wood heater, double carport, circa 1990′s.
Other improvements include 3 stand shearing shed, hay shed (approx 300 round rolls), 40 x 30 machinery shed, 40 x 20 lockable workshop, round horse yard and stable, cattle yards, sheep yards.
Approximately 14ha including frontage to 11 Mile Creek has been fenced and revegetated for native flora and fauna.
Subdivided by 29 paddocks and 11 holding paddocks, fencing is generally good with approx 10km of new fencing in last 7 years. Good laneway system to many paddocks.
Water is no issue with one kilometre frontage to 11 Mile Creek (seasonal), 19 dams, 2 fitted with Onga pressure pump which fills 2 x 10,000 gallon tanks which gravitate to 17 stock troughs and both gardens. There is also a 300ft bore, which guarantees the water supply. Rainfall is 660mm.
There is an outstanding, picturesque balance with rich creek flats, sheltered valleys and low rolling hills, warm and productive country. Many remnant trees. Red, yellow and grey box, iron bark and red gums predominate. 350 acres have been sown to phalaris and sub clover, balance consists of native grasses, rye grass and sub clover with some balansa clover.
Approximately 850 acres is suitable for cropping. Fertiliser history consists of 70 tonnes minimum of super phosphate applied each year for last nine years, molybdomen applied to whole farm in 1997, lime and gypsum has been used when sowing new pastures. Soils type vary form red granite loams to heavier alluvial soils with some rich creek flats.
NIOKA is an extremely well manage property with a good balance of level to rising country. Its supports a high stocking rate (15DSE per Ha) while providing an environment for native flora and fauna to thrive. Currently stocked with 2500 merino ewes and lambs, 1000 wethers, 750 weaners, 40 rams120 dairy heifers and 20 horses.
Positioned in the productive soils of North East Victoria only 2 km from the Hume Freeway it has wonderful views of the mountains including Mount Buffalo. This well developed property has many improvements including two homes and is very well suited to some cropping, sheep or beef cattle or stud horses. Properties of this size and calibre rarely come on the market.
Being auctioned Friday 24th October at 12 noon.
To be offered as a whole and if not sold then in three parcels, comprising,
Lot 1 565 acres including 2 homes
Lot 2 197 acres, North East Corner
Lot 3 444 acres, plus 60 acres lease country.