10 Benalla Road

Oak Valley QLD 4811

*** SCHEDULED OPEN FOR INSPECTIONS HAVE RECOMMENCED ***(Standard COVID-19 Protocols Maximum Person Restrictions will Apply)Text or call 0403 345 543 to View privately or to View via video call.An historic, tranquil, beautiful, private family retreat. Used for gatherings of scientists, musicians, historians, film makers and writers. Ideal for barbecues to banquets, parties to receptions, soirees to conferences. Rivendell is a place to love.Despite its seclusion, Rivendell is only 6 minutes to the nearest (24hr) convenience store, 15 minutes to a major shopping complex and around 20 minutes to James Cook University, Townsville General Hospital and the centre of TownsvilleOn entering the gate - past a whimsical letterbox that has appeared in more than one documentary, you know you're in for something very special. The five acre block follows the riverbank on one boundary, and you're unaware of any other human life here. Apart from yourselves, you'll only hear and see bush turkeys, kookaburras, herons, jabirus, spoonbills, brolgas, pelicans, ducks, geese, channel-billed cockatoos, and most other coastal and inland bird species - the birdlife genuinely rivals that of the Town Common. The river is full of fish and turtles and you might spot an echidna in the native garden.They're all attracted to the natural bush, mostly planted with natives, all of which are virtually maintenance free, as well as mandarin, lemon, lime, lychee, grapefruit, lemonade, mulberry, tamarinds and mangos - a most delicious garden! The home itself and outbuildings are cleverly located near the edge of the river, yet the house is well protected and is at no risk of flooding. During dry times, the river forms a billabong directly in front of the house, which has never dried up in the 45 years since the house was built. During heavy rains, you can hear the rapids immediately downstream from the house.The property is ideal for climate change, which the owners have taken very seriously. There are three water supplies - town, bore and river water. The property has been thoughtfully developed so that most of the vegetation you see has not been watered in over a decade. High pressure reticulation has been installed to 25 taps throughout the property, so all parts of the garden can be reached for newly installed plants, and if it were ever necessary to fight a fire, the flick of a switch provides high-pressure town water to all points.The home itself has been carefully designed and built with the finest materials, as you'd expect. The ceilings are high and well insulated, so it's a very cool home. The doors and windows of the house are screened and 5.5kw of solar means minimal electricity bills with extensive space for more to be totally off-grid. It's a very versatile home, with many rooms offering multiple use options. There are 6 or 7 bedrooms, with one wing of the home developed as a self-contained granny flat, with second kitchen, third bathroom and separate external access for wheelchairs. The master bedroom looks to the river as do other rooms - a peaceful private outlook, without another building in sight. The ensuite has an indulgent corner spa. The aquarium room could be a nursery, study or parents' retreat.A superb dining room at one end of the home could alternatively function as a children's playroom with its easy supervision from the next-door kitchen - it has wonderful views and double doors to the greenery and fenced pool outside. The kitchen is a chef's delight - it has the feel of a traditional farmhouse kitchen, but with modern appliances, granite benches and splashbacks, 2 pack cabinetry, corner pantry and a bar with fridge and sink - doesn't every kitchen need one of these? Possibly the finest room in the house is the living room, with soaring ceilings, an impressive copper fireplace with sandstone surround and a superb four-metre-tall stained-glass window depicting the property's trees and birds. It's hard to move from a comfortable chair in this room.A large central library/games room leads up to a huge attic providing additional extensive storage space. Rivendell is rich in history. Many influential people including David Attenborough have dined there. The privacy of the property makes it ideal for undisturbed entertaining on an intimate or a grand scale. Multiple groups can be entertained on the terrace adjacent to the river, the jasmine-covered pergola, as well as the welcoming rooms inside. Wedding receptions and gatherings of over one hundred people have been easily accommodated, all in complete privacy.Outbuildings include a boat shed with high clearance, workshop, storeroom, garden shed and double garage. There's a sport court of reinforced concrete for practicing tennis against the concrete wall - which could also be built on if more buildings are needed.It's a wonderland for kids to explore. They can launch their kayaks into the river, enjoy cooling swims in the pool, swing from the tall trees, tend the chickens in the coop or venture over the land in search of birdlife or animals. It's the childhood we all dreamed of having! Large shaded terrace on eastern side affords a spectacular river view Second terrace on northern side enclosed by large pergola Six or seven bedrooms, master bedroom with ensuite Three bathrooms with solar heated water Two living rooms, the larger with fireplace and 4m lead stained glass window Two large inbuilt aquaria Granite lined main kitchen and separate small but well-appointed kitchen in the granny flat Large stone-floored dining room Library Office Entrance foyer, laundry, store room Fully air conditioned Five kw solar system Extensive array of power points. Wireless NBN 2.2 hectare (5 acre) complex of lawns and gardens Shrubs and trees on boundaries give complete privacy Extensive grove of native trees Reticulated water to 25 garden taps servicing the entire property All gardens are very low maintenance Drought proof, with town, river and bore water Elegant 13 metre swimming pool Treehouse, animal enclosures, beautiful terrace fishpond, play areas, sport court Eastern border of private, beautifully vegetated, river then rapids High clearance boat shed, workshop and storage room Double garageFor glimpses of Rivendell's history, see the Index of Charlie Veron's Memoire A Life Underwater (2017 Penguin)