Property Summary
Property Description
‘Balham Hill’ was historically one of the earliest established pastoral properties in the Upper Goulburn region and is recognised as part of historic Kelly Country. The property holds documented significance as the site of “the first substantial residence in the Goulburn district”.
‘Balham Hill’ was originally established in the early 1840’s by Edward Cotton, the first licensee of the original grazing run of approximately 14,720 acres along the banks of the Goulburn River.
Edward Cotton was born in 1803 at Balham Hill, London, from which this property derives its name. The original homestead was constructed in 1842-43 using bricks that were made on the property.
Now on a smaller, yet still as fertile land holding, the existing residence at Balham Hill is a gracious Victorian-era homestead (c.1860), incorporating the original homestead and infrastructure alongside a sympathetic extension to provide all the luxuries of modern day living.
The feeling of history and grandeur are almost overwhelming on entering the stunning, high and wide main hallway of this spectacular home, the intricate ceilings, grand archways and hand worked cornices, everything one could aspire to finding within a piece of history, such as Balham Hill, are on display instantly.
To the right of the central main hall, we find the grand sitting room, with magnificent bay window, and all the sense of the sophistication of yesteryear.
To the left, we enter the original dining room, with large windows to all sides, views out over the surrounding landscape, allowing light to bring this space alive. As part of the sympathetic restoration of this holding, the dining room now flows into a fully renovated and extremely large country style kitchen with all the inclusions, featuring a Falcon stove, an enormous central island, masterfully created cabinetry, an oversized butler’s pantry, and more.
Back to the main hallway, we take a right turn to the first of the accommodation wings, that includes 3 large bedrooms and central bathroom.
A major component of the new addition to Balham Hall is found through the snug with open fire, and the enclosed breezeway connecting the original home to the stunning new extension.
Here you arrive at what can only be described as a five-star hotel style main suite. With direct access to a private, fully restored verandah, enormous light, bright and beautiful bedroom that flows into an oversized walk-through-robe area and on into a fabulous travertine tiled ensuite with redgum timber vanity, spectacular redgum stand-alone bath and underfloor heating complete this truly one of a kind space.
Open fireplaces are found throughout the original section of the main home, each one displaying its own personality and sense of the romance of days gone by. Ducted heating and cooling, reverse cycle heating and cooling, ceiling fans and Coonara provide practical heating and cooling solutions throughout this magnificent home.
Out through the rear of the original homestead, we find the stunning outdoor entertaining area, with magnificent views spanning across the valley. This space includes everything anyone could ever need to enjoy lazy Sundays with family and friends, including a 9 metre salt chlorinated pool with heat pump, fully functional outdoor bar and even an outdoor shower close by. As part of the new extension to the home, another large self-contained room is found adjacent to the established, charming cottage gardens, this space would be perfect as a home office, gym, additional accommodation, family room or studio.
The external infrastructure at Balham Hall is abundant, with two large dams, town water controlling the trough system throughout the holding, new steel cattle yards and crush, the magnificent original shearing shed, complete with machinery still in place, a piece of history almost undisturbed, renovated stables, separate large machinery shed, 300,000 litre tank, two stand working shearing shed, an oversized netted vegetable garden and fruit garden, a 32 solar panel system with Tesla battery back-up, and last but certainly not least a story book miner’s cottage in completely original condition, with bathroom, bedroom and main living room.
The fully fenced and integrated land, provide an easy working environment with laneway access throughout the holding, quality fencing and well maintained pastural land in abundance. Nothing has been left uncatered to.
Balham Hill represents the perfect transition to retirement holding, family retreat estate, working farm, with tourism potential with its spectacular array of outbuildings and outlook. This is a property of rare historical depth and rural substance. From its early establishment in the 1840s through generations of pastoral use and community leadership, it remains a significant holding within the Upper Goulburn district.
It is a property defined by continuity of land use and stewardship, offering a combination of early colonial heritage, productive agricultural country, and a lovingly preserved Victorian homestead.
For further information or to arrange a private inspection of this one of a kind holding, please contact – Sue Gratton on – 0407 599 559 or email – sue@circaheritageandlifestyle.com.au.
