Hidden within the Adelaide foothills, the former John Fisher Drive quarry one of the oldest quarries in SA presents an extraordinary opportunity: 6.4 acres of predominantly flat land held within a dramatic natural amphitheatre of exposed stone and established native landscape.
The experience is almost cinematic. Great walls of cascading bluestone rise to the south, catching the changing light throughout the day, while mature gums and native vegetation wrap around the site. Stand within the quarry floor and there is an unmistakable sense of being somewhere much further from Adelaide, more Flinders Ranges than metropolitan foothills, yet the city is approximately 12 minutes away. It is this contrast that makes the property so remarkable.
A Place with History The story of this landscape is equally compelling. The quarry is understood to be one of South Australia’s oldest, having operated from 1858 until 1936. It was originally associated with the prominent Mitcham-based Rayner family before later passing to the Temme family.
Its legacy extends well beyond the boundaries of the property, with bluestone quarried from this area contributing to many of Adelaide’s prominent buildings and churches. Today, the dramatic stone walls remain as a remarkable reminder of the site's industrial past, creating a natural architectural backdrop unlike almost anything else in Adelaide.
The broad, level centre of the quarry provides an exceptional canvas for architecture and landscape, while the elevation and outlook introduce another unexpected dimension, including views toward the coast. The surrounding escarpment provides scale and theatre, while the landscape masterplan embraces rather than competes with what is already here, with open lawn, native planting, informal trails, a lookout and fire-pit setting woven into the broader vision. The landscape documentation specifically identifies the quarry face and its “Outback Character” as fundamental elements of the design.
The natural environment is just as extraordinary. The bushland at the top of the quarry remains remarkably intact, creating a habitat for abundant birdlife, owls and microbats, alongside established native vegetation.
Importantly, considerable work has already been undertaken since the property's previous sale. The owners have invested in definitive site investigation, extensive geotechnical assessment of both soil and rock wall, native flora investigations, CFS assessment and detailed consultation with council, together with architectural and landscape design work.
The planning documentation demonstrates just how far the thinking has progressed, addressing retention of the rock face and vegetation, new planting, CFS asset protection, stormwater considerations and the relationship between the proposed residence and its Hills Face setting.
An architectural concept has also been developed specifically around the landscape. The current Arkular drawings contemplate an approximately 372sqm residence, arranged as four connected modules and including five bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, retreat, substantial kitchen/living/dining spaces, decks and provision for a pool, carport and storage.
The result is not simply 6.4 acres of land. It is 6.4 acres where much of the difficult investigative and design thinking has already been undertaken; where extraordinary architecture could sit within an equally extraordinary landscape; and where the eventual home has the potential to feel entirely removed from suburbia while remaining remarkably connected to it.
Scotch College, Mercedes College and St John's Grammar are all within the surrounding education belt, with the Adelaide CBD approximately 12 minutes away.
What makes it extraordinary
• Approximately 2.606ha overall site
• Extraordinary flat and usable quarry floor
• Dramatic cascading exposed stone escarpment
• Bluestone from this site has founded many of Adelaide’s historic buildings and churches
• Established native landscape and Grey Box woodland
• Coastal outlook from elevated areas of the property
• Former quarry setting creating exceptional privacy, scale and character
• Extensive site and geotechnical investigations undertaken
• Native flora and CFS considerations investigated
• Extensive council consultation undertaken
• Architectural concept specifically designed for the site
• Detailed landscape masterplan incorporating lawn, native landscape, trails, lookout and fire-pit areas
• A genuinely remarkable opportunity to create one of Adelaide's most distinctive private residences
Disclaimer: All information provided has been obtained from sources we believe to be accurate, however, we cannot guarantee the information is accurate and we accept no liability for any errors or omissions (including but not limited to a property's land size, floor plans and size, building age and condition). Interested parties should make their own enquiries and obtain their own legal and financial advice. RLA | 353973
