As you enter the Adelaide Hills hamlet of Totness you might catch a glimpse of the ghost of Ned Kelly - because part of the movie, starring Mick Jagger, about the legendary bushranger was filmed here 50 years ago.
Nestled between Hahndorf and Mt Barker, just four kilometres from both bustling centres, Totness (population 93 or thereabouts) is a town in its own right, first subdivided in the 1880s and boasting a windmill that's said to be the oldest surviving structure in the area.
And nestled within the gently sloping, tranquil hills of Totness is a delightful property that's beckoning new owners looking for a home that's more off the grid but still a short hop from a wide range of amenities and services, and just over half an hour from the city.
This deep and narrow block of over one acre, or approximately 4,500 square metres, with Hahndorf's town limits abutting the rear boundary, is discreetly nestled among the cluster of semi-rural properties in a natural bushland setting.
The driveway winding up the hill leads to a double carport, then to beautifully landscaped formal gardens of roses, shrubs and lush lawns surrounding the elevated house that looks a picture in spring with the purple flowers of wisteria trailing across the front verandah above sandstone and timber retaining walls.
The gardens, and the fruit trees at the rear of the block, are kept thriving through the warmer months by bore water, along with the septic system that also feeds the prolific agapanthus lining the driveway.
The house supply comes from an 80,000-litre rainwater tank that is pumped at constant pressure through a triple-filtered system. Next to the water tank, the additional large shed of 6m x 9m adds extra storage, can be a man cave, or exercise and yoga space, or all three.
The three-bedroom house itself is immaculate, having been comprehensively renovated in 2016 with super-smart black and grey exterior trim and red-brick paths and an interior reimagined to create a more spacious environment.
Timber-look tiles extend throughout, making cleaning so much easier when winter becomes a bit muddy, and this flooring blends smoothly with the warm tones of the walls, creating a light and airy ambience.
The formal lounge flows into the living/dining and kitchen/meals area, forming a single open, inviting space.
In the kitchen, earthy tones of the wall tiles and granite benchtops meet industrial touches of black Oliveri sink and black, brand-new Smeg five-burner dual-fuel cooker, complemented by a stainless steel rangehood and extra-wide Electrolux double fridges and separate freezer that are included in the sale, along with a Bosch dishwasher. Storage space is ample.
The kitchen wall tiles continue in the laundry/pantry, matched with modern grey cupboards, and benchtops above the space for washer and dryer. The door leading from here to the back patio has a flap for a cat or small dog to come and go.
Now to the bedrooms. The master is good-sized, with a walk-in wardrobe and an additional built-in robe. The ensuite bathroom with white tiles and travertine basin look crisply modern. And there's a choice of overhead or hand-held shower.
Bedrooms two and three, both with built-in robes, are large enough for double beds, and both have a lovely green outlook. These bedrooms are separated by the family bathroom, which has the same pristine white tiles and travertine basin as the ensuite, plus a large, free-standing bathtub.
In the hallway between these bedrooms is a floor-to-ceiling mirrored linen cupboard.
The brick-paved back patio, sitting below immaculate terraced garden beds, is perfectly set up for backyard entertaining and barbecues, with Christmas just around the corner.
Along with new plumbing, the home is largely self-sufficient in electricity, with a 6.2kW solar system designed to catch the sun all day with panels facing north, east and west. That system feeds ducted, reverse-cycle air-conditioning for year-round comfort.
What more could a growing family want? Or a couple seeking an alternative lifestyle? Or city dwellers looking for a retreat from the hustle and bustle?
You can be as private as you want, but still just a short drive away from the facilities, schools, shops, cafes and restaurants of Hahndorf and Mt Barker, as well as the Sidewood, Nepenthe, Shaw + Smith and The Lane wineries, and Prancing Pony brewery.
The area is also home to the 41-hectare Totness Recreation Park, noted for its woodlands of messmate stringybarks and manna gums, which are now uncommon in much of their former range across the Mount Lofty Ranges.
Registered Land Agent (RLA) 266 854.
