A special playground for family life

The romance of ‘Raeburn’ starts with a long driveway draped in arching red oaks that provide autumn glory. On arrival, the imposing Georgian facade is framed by an extraordinary hybrid Arbutus that’s approximately 120 years old and is listed on the National Registry of Australia’s Most Important Trees.

The homestead block rests on the crest of the property surveying the lands before it. Craftsman-built stone walls and post-and-rail fencing surround the home as well as significant out-buildings that hark to its history. These include the original dairy cottage and the carriage-house complex that has a three-stall stable, tack room and groom’s room.

Behind the stable is a hardwood building that offers parking for up to six cars or a wonderful character-filled venue for special events.

The six-acres of grounds that surround the manor have been curated by Peter Fudge and the owner to capture truly mesmerizing scenes and to be beautiful restful spaces for the family to enjoy. Edible gardens have been very much a theme, including olive and bay trees, mulberry trees, pear, apple, quince and fig trees.

The rubblestone-walled vegetable garden was built in the traditional method of the other heritage-listed outbuildings. And a truffière has been created that will soon be at maturity. The expansive lawns, including croquet lawn and designated kids’ soccer field, have subsoil automatic watering. Other fun is to be had on the championship tennis court and saltwater pool.

Although grand in proportion and character, this is a home that is primarily about comfort and easy family living – a place where loved ones gather and celebrate life. Soaring 13-foot ceilings and extensive original cedar millwork have been enhanced with stunning wallpaper features, original marble and cedar fireplaces, and galleries of windows that frame the captivating surrounds.

A large family room, formal dining room, lounge room, casual dining room and ‘gentleman’s smoking room’ or study, provide a choice of retreats for every mood and occasion. The kitchen is a true family hub, superbly proportioned and centered around a large fireplace and adjacent dining table where family and friends have enjoyed long breakfasts that spill into lunch and dinner, if not reconvened at the table under the stunning Arbutus tree. Exuding French country appeal, the kitchen boasts a state-of-the-art five-oven Aga with gas cooktop that warms this wing and is a magical hub for meal preparation and catch ups.

The residence features eight bedrooms and four luxurious bathrooms with gas central heating and heated floors, all under the expansive Welsh slate roof. The accommodation is configured in two wings with four bedrooms resting above the living zones in the home and the additional four placed in the adjoining wing in what was the Red House. This provides the option for a separate wing for guests when they come to stay. The bedrooms are all over-sized and all with original working fireplaces including the potential grand master suite.

The estate’s prime acreage has been pasture improved with Phalaris, rye and clover, as well as regular improvement of the soil. Overseen by an off-site manager, the property typically supports an average of 100 cows and 100 weaners sold each year. There is ample water supply with four dams, two bores and two 130,000L cement, underground water tanks.

The home has been a much-loved haven for its current family seeing four young boys grow into young men. It inspires a childhood of old, where little ones roam free, build tree houses and turn hay lofts into forts. Where they care for poddy calves in the old shepherd’s hut, ponies sleep out with them in the paddocks and fruit is picked straight from the tree.

Surrounded by sheep and cattle stations, ‘Raeburn’ is a rare mix of authentic rural Australia yet located 15 minutes from picturesque Gunning and an easy trip to Sydney and Canberra with its international airport, or a day out at the National Gallery. Imbued with the grit of the real Australian countryside, the homestead is also surrounded by boutique wineries and gourmet country restaurants making it an idyllic retreat where life is lived to its fullest.