Originally the “homestead paddock” of a larger property first selected in 1853, Stony Rise now comprises 43 acres of flats along the eucalypt lined Five Mile Creek. Over the past 36 years, it has been used to breed beef cattle, and more recently has been cropped and cut for hay. It would be equally suited to horses or alpacas, or its location, 7 minutes from Woodend Village, and an hour from Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne CBD, could make it ideal as a farm stay or B&B. The 500 metre tree-lined driveway leads past the 2 bedroom cottage to the rise at the south west corner of the block and the original homestead and farm outbuildings.
The homestead has four bedrooms, each with a fireplace and built in wardrobes. Reminders of days gone by can be seen in the high ceilings, picture rails, old windows and in the original front door that graces the hall.
Renovated only seven years ago, the bright and cheerful kitchen enjoys the winter sun, and looks out over the garden with its many birds, and the Five Mile Creek valley beyond. It has soft close drawers and cupboards, a Nectre Bakers oven that doubles as a solid fuel heater and cooker as well as a Westinghouse gas cooker/oven and an Electrolux dishwasher.
The lounge and dining rooms have a double brick fireplace that houses a slow combustion wood heater and gas space heater. The adjacent study has lots of built-in shelving and storage. Other charming features include the retention of the old windows in the internal walls, lath and plaster and strapped plaster ceilings and timber pelmets.
The bathroom has an easy-clean integrated bath/shower unit. There is an additional separate powder room. Hot water is supplied by a fast and efficient Bosch instantaneous hot water system. A practical combined mud room/laundry/utility room has both internal and external access.
The sheltered east verandah and southern terrace have red brick paving, while the west verandah has non slip Italian sandstone tiles. The remains of the original kitchen have been incorporated into the charming barbeque area. Beside the house is a wood shed, a two car garage plus workshop.
11,500 gallon poly tanks supply water to the house, and creek water is available for the garden and paddocks.
The garden has a variety of mature trees, hedges, gravel paths, brick paving and pretty garden beds. There is a home orchard and veggie garden. The farm shed complex includes machinery and hay sheds, stables, feed shed, dairy and shearing shed.
The tree lined Five Mile creek winds through the property, and the surrounding countryside is lightly timbered farmland with picturesque views of Mount Macedon.
Separate from the house is the neat two bedroom cottage with a white picket fence. With a kitchen, living room, bathroom and laundry, it could serve as a discreet second dwelling, a substantial home office or studio. Power is available, but not currently connected to the cottage.
Stony Rise remained with the original family for 120 years and has been with the present owners for the last 36 years.
Their family having grown and flown, the owners need to downsize, so Stony Rise now comes on the market for only the fourth time in its 160 year history.
