This 640-Acre Estate Makes City Living Look Drab

Have you ever imagined what life inside a Jane Austen novel might be like? Well, the experience is closer to home than you might think.

Wattle Ridge Farm in Sydney’s Southern Highlands is a scene straight out of a period drama. The 640-acre property is home to a stately six-bedroom manor, nestled amidst sprawling, immaculate gardens, bounded by manicured pines, and is just an hour-and-a-half out of Sydney’s CBD.

This incredible property was just recently listed by former rugby league player Steve Bowden, with a price guide of a cool $14M, and is once again on the market for a new genteel owner.

The Manor

The focal point of the property, Wattle Ridge’s grandiose homestead was built in 1998 in the Georgian "plantation style" of the southern United States. Its ground floor features a formal sitting room and dining room, as well as family and sunrooms and a library adjoined by study room. Sprawling verandahs, front and back and a fully equipped chef’s kitchen ensures that the homestead’s guests and residents are always well-fed and entertained.

Permanent accommodations are on the upper floor of the homestead. The five fully suited bedrooms have vaulted ceilings and plenty of natural light, while the additional master bedroom of the house enjoys spectacular views of the property and national park surrounds. From this level, there is access to a rooftop lookout, which boasts a complete 360-degree aspect of the sprawling property.

Property Features

Beyond the main homestead, the property also features a three-bedroom guest house, as well as an impressive five-bedroom managers residence, to ensure ample staffing to wait on any number of guests on the property.

wattle ridge road sydney luxury estate swimming pool

The property also features a heated pool and cabana, making it the perfect location for a summer cocktail party.

Four ornamental lakes are scattered throughout the property and are home to sleepy willows and native reeds. One of the closer lakes to the homestead features a footbridge to a tiny, peaceful island that would be simply perfect for picnics. Over the entire 640 acres, there are also a total of fourteen dams, including one that feeds water to the manor house and residential buildings, as well as the extensive gardens.

Wattle Ridge Road Sydney Luxury Estate Tennis court

If water sports don’t float your boat, the property also houses a full-sized tennis court, where guests can play off against each other, alone or in pairs, in an impromptu Rural Grand-Slam.

Equine enthusiasts are also well-served on the property, which boasts a dressage arena and spacious stables. Surrounded by national park riding trails, Wattle Ridge Farm is the perfect home-base from which to explore the pristine forests of Nattai National Park.

wattle ridge road sydney luxury estate outside view

In total, about half of the property is cleared and developed, which leaves the other half of the property as forested space for the native fauna of the region to enjoy. Of the cleared portion, around 110 acres serve as pasture land, while a further 20 serves as yearly-planted croplands.

Wattle Ridge Road Sydney Luxury Estate Exterior

The undulating, terraced gardens surrounding the homestead also occupy roughly 20 acres and feature several eucalyptus trees as well as native shrubs that require very little maintenance.

It’ll certainly be worthwhile to keep an eye on this property as it goes to sale over the coming months. Check out Sotheby’s International Real Estate listing page on its website for full details and even more stunning photos.

Looking to enjoy some peace and quiet in the countryside? Check out the best Australian Agritourism for an ideal weekend (or week) away!

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