If you dream of the classic rural lifestyle, you’re in luck

It’s idyllic, really. Rolling hills, plenty of fruit trees, a veggie garden and, at the heart of it all, a spacious weatherboard cottage trimmed with a wooden veranda, flagstones, and fireplaces. Oh, and there’s even a train carriage.

Less than 10 minutes from Canberra, 44 Holmwood Road in Wallaroo near Hall offers a peaceful lifestyle with beautiful rural vistas all round looking down to the Murrumbidgee River. The 25 acres or so of land is level to undulating with quality pastures suitable for stock, horses or wandering.

The two-bedroom weatherboard cottage dates from the 1930s but has been lovingly modernised in sympathy with its original features. It enjoys the classic proportions of the time, including full-length flagstone and cypress pine veranda, an original open fireplace plus a high-quality new combustion fireplace.

Ray White real estate agent Mark Johnstone says the current owners have lived there for many years and enjoyed a largely self-sustained country lifestyle. The location, the astounding views and the quaint cottage make it the dream for anyone wanting the same.

“Many visitors talk about the great opportunity to extend, or even to build a second house on the property and use the cottage for when family comes to stay,” he says.

In the meantime, if you need more rooms or accommodation, you are in luck. Adjoining the home is a historic railway carriage with all the character of a bygone era ready for a tidy up and minor renovation (plumbing is in place ready for connection). There is also a full-size Yurt out front with power connected – it’s ideal as a teenage retreat, guest house or office.

The home offers a magnificent outlook from every window, either into the orchard, garden or sweeping vistas. The interiors are light and airy, and the layout provides an open-plan north-facing living room, dining area, galley kitchen and two good-sized bedrooms. The deep wrap-around verandas are pitched to allow the winter sun in while keeping the summer sun out.

With a strong emphasis on comfort and relaxed living, the neutral-toned country style kitchen features quality appliances and is the hub of the home, incorporating wide bifold windows creating a servery to the covered outdoor entertaining deck. This kitchen contrasts a contemporary, modern style, updated appliances and surfaces with quaint historic features such as the light fixtures.

You’ll even love doing the dishes, thanks to a mesmerising outlook from the kitchen.

The current owners have enjoyed a self-sustained lifestyle with expansive veggie gardens, an orchard, solar hot water, solar power, ample water supplies, a large chook shed and a grey-water system.

No chemicals have been used on the property for over 50 years, making organic certification easy. The owners had operated a lucrative free-range egg business of up to 1,000 hens in purpose-built chook sheds and fox-proof paddocks, although some repairs will be required to bring that back into operation. They supplemented that business with the sale of figs and asparagus to restaurants.

This delightful lifestyle property has an elegant charm and unique character, with additional potential to build your dream home under dual occupancy entitlement (STCA) or perhaps earn additional income from the existing residence and infrastructure or house extended family.

Wallaroo is the closest rural outpost to Canberra and is a highly sought-after area with outstanding views and a friendly community.

This home will go to auction at 2/14 Wales Street, Belconnen on Thursday, 12 August at 5:00 pm.

To arrange an inspection of the charming 44 Holmwood Road in Wallaroo, call Mark Johnstone on 0414 382 093.

Article was originally written and published by The RiotAct.