THERE are riverfront properties and there are riverfront properties, but few now offering can rival “Jillamatong” at Corowa for sheer eye-catching magnificence.
The sprawling yet gracious homestead of this southern NSW “plum” property sits just metres from an elevated bank of the Murray River, flanked by ancient river gums.
Aesthetic considerations alone are expected to draw prospective buyers to next month’s on-site “Jillamatong” auction, quite apart from its impressive production credentials.
“Jillamatong” is the 973-hectare (2404-acre) Murray River property of businessman, Brian Waldron, his wife, Pam, and family, who have owned it for 11 years.
They are the fourth owners of the property since 1973, when it was sold by the Nicholson family, whose forebear, E.C. Nicholson, took up “Jillamatong” in 1924 as a block of Collendina Station.
It was the Nicholsons who commissioned the building in 1928 of the 72-square pise homestead designed by the architect, A.C. McKnight, which remains the property’s defining feature.
The property is being sold now to facilitate succession planning and has been listed with Landmark Albury for auction on November 19 with price expectations upwards of $8.5 million.
Situated 15 kilometres west of Corowa and 65km west of Albury, “Jillamatong” is about three hours’ drive from Melbourne.
The country is described as level to slightly undulating with soils ranging from river alluvials to red loams and areas of sandy and clay loam.
Currently managed as a mixed farming operation, the property runs 2100 first-cross ewes for prime lamb production (suckers recently topped the Corowa market) in conjunction with cropping of lucerne, cereals and oilseeds.
Irrigation is an integral part of the operation, with two T and L centre pivots covering four circles of 44ha each, currently growing lucerne and wheat.
Water is sourced from the river, to which the property has a 1195-megalitre entitlement (secured now by full up-river dams), and an equipped bore licensed for 694ML.
The homestead comprises a central living area incorporating a modern kitchen, formal dining room and family living areas, flanked by two wings housing six bedrooms, four bathrooms and a study.
It is set in mature gardens overlooking the river with an in-ground swimming pool, tennis court and self-contained guest unit.
A private jetty gives access to the river.
Remnant shade and shelter trees of red gum, yellow and grey box and Murray pine dot the property and a central fenced laneway facilitates stock movement.
Working structures include a modern, four-stand raised board shearing shed with large-capacity bugle sheepyards, machinery and hay sheds, grain storage, workshop, cattleyards and stable complex.
Contact Brian Liston, (0428) 931 894.