635 Mooleric Road

Ombersley VIC 3241

Expressions of Interest closing Thursday 3rd December at 2pm

A historic landmark of Victorias rural heritage with an illustrious past, Mooleric has captivated all those who have lived and stayed here. The significant bluestone homestead was built for the Hon James Ford Strachan by renowned architects Davidson and Henderson. A substantial two-storey addition in 1923 was followed by a further brick addition in the 1930s. The property was acquired by the Ramsay family in 1899, and by the current owner in 2000, this is only the second time the property has been offered for sale in over 120 years. The prominent surrounding gardens were designed by William Guilfoyle in the Gardenesque style for the Ramsay family in 1903. Drawing the house into harmony with the garden, the design uses drought tolerant plantings and offers year-round interest. It is considered the most intact example of Guilfoyles private commissions and is rated of National Significance. Spanning four acres, the picturesque design features sweeping lawns, dramatic plantings separating distinct garden areas, a serpentine perimeter path, as well as several mature trees dating from 1870.
Presented in outstanding condition, the stately bluestone homestead is set amid the enchanting four-acre Guilfoyle gardens with a tiled in-ground pool and tennis court. An oasis of tranquillity, the homestead is positioned to take in views stretching to the Otway Ranges, and the dramatic sunsets of the Western skies. Showcasing striking architectural features, the gracious and welcoming home encompasses 10 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 5 reception rooms, including formal and relaxed living and dining spaces, home office/library and billiards room, as well as two kitchens, a butlers pantry, underground cellar, laundry, linen/sewing room and mud-room. The lovely house and garden setting offers a superb environment for a family home, and has potential for hospitality or as a wedding venue. The homestead block on 252 acres includes substantial farm buildings, comprising a large machinery shed with extensive solar panels, steel hay shed, stables and tack rooms and a pump/generator shed. Some of the smaller ancillary buildings are original, such as the blacksmiths forge. There is an enclosed all-weather riding arena, an established and productive vegetable garden and orchard, and a large chicken coop with two secure runs. The gardens are served by a fully automated watering system from a dedicated dam water supply, with a solar powered pump from the main dam with an electric pump backed by a generator. Four inter-connected rainwater tanks provide capacity of 100,000 litres. There are two additional three-bedroom houses suitable for staff or for rent on the homestead block. The homestead block is divided into useful paddocks suiting horses, sheep and cattle, with good cattle yards, excellent fencing and automatic watering to all paddocks. There are five dams and a reliable bore servicing stock and garden, including bore-fed stock water tanks. Featuring sloping country with versatile soils and reliable rainfall the 688 acres of grazing and fodder-cropping land is well-suited to beef and prime lambs. The pastures and fencing are in excellent condition, much of the pasture is rock-cleared and improved. The property benefits from extensive fenced laneways providing easy access for stock management, and brand new, state-of-the-art Proway sheep yards. Overall, the property is serviced by seven dams, four bores, two wind-driven, one with mains power and one with solar, pumping to three large stock water header tanks. The property is easily carrying 1450 composite ewes and lambs and 35 head of breeding cows, with additional assured income from a wind farm turbine lease.