NSW real estate: Historic South Coast estate for sale — and it’s opposite a vineyard

Four decades ago, Ray Vincent purchased the historic ‘Coolangatta Park’ property, near Berry.

Therefore, Mr Vincent can remember the days before the land opposite his property became the award-winning resort, vineyard and wedding venue that is ‘Coolangatta Estate’.

“When I moved here, there was nothing across the road, it was just all farmland,” he said.

“I was pleased when they decided to put a winery in because there were a lot of other proposals there... It was nice to be able to look at the vineyard.”

Coolangatta Estate was recently listed for sale for just the second time in its 202-year history. The estate comes to market after 75-plus years of Bishop family ownership.

Meanwhile, Mr Vincent’s property, ‘Coolangatta Park’, located at 1320 Bolong Road, Coolangatta is also for sale via Expressions of Interest, closing on May 24.

The one-hectare property features a four-bedroom original home.

The home is solid brick with stained-glass window features, a slate-tiled roof, multiple chimneys and a large front verandah. Inside, there are polished hardwood floors and double-height ceilings, with references to its Victorian-era bones — archways, leadlights, ornate fireplaces, chandeliers, bay windows, and red cedar mantels.

The home has been extended over the years to add further living areas including a central dining hall, sunroom/bar and large wing off the master bedroom.

The home is believed to have been built in the early 1880s. The site of ‘Coolangatta Park’ was originally part of the Coolangatta Estate, before later being subdivided.

According to the State Heritage Inventory, the home at ‘Coolangatta Park’ is of local significance.

The heritage listing describes it as an “interesting late Victorian Filigree style residence with several unusual and attractive features including Tudor gables”.

“(It’s) associated with the noted architect Howard Joseland, who designed many buildings in the Federation period on the former Berry/Coolangatta Estate. (It) appears essentially unaltered.”

The property is also of historical significance as the residence of John Hay (later Sir John Hay), the cousin of David Berry and manager of the Coolangatta Estate.

Mr Berry built the house for Mr Hay to the design of Mr Joseland.

David Berry died in 1889 and John Hay became executor of the estate. According to the heritage listing, ‘Coolangatta Park’ appears to have remained in the Berry-Hay family until it was sold in 1970.

“(The property is also) socially significant for its relationship to the Coolangatta Estate, which is held in high esteem by the local community,” the heritage listing said.

The established grounds at Coolangatta Park are elevated and near-level, with river and rural views.

They feature a large north-facing in-ground pool, remote three-car garage/workshop plus a separate two-bedroom self-contained cottage. The cottage looks out to a pond, gazebo and babbling brook.

Mr Vincent said after living at the property for 40 years, he was selling in order to downsize.

“I’m leaving because it’s practical for me to do it at this time in my life,” he said. “I’d love to see it go to another family where the kids can grow up there.”

The current owners have done plenty of work to the property, including adding the two-bedroom guest house.

The garden is Mr Vincent’s favourite feature of the property, with some historic trees to be found.

“It would be great if the next owner could be a family like ours... It’s a beautiful family home,” he said.

“The guest house is separate from the main homestead, and that’s ripe for somebody to come in and put people in there as tenants, or use it as a bed and breakfast.

“The property could also be used in conjunction with the historic village, as a wedding reception venue. Or you could have weddings in the gardens, as the gardens are all beautiful.”

Selling agent, Daniel Watt from Woodhill Estate Agents said the property had a price guide of $3.5 million-plus.

“The confluence of size, geography and opportunity strikes a rare chord, making it easy to appreciate why the area’s early pioneers chose this aesthetically gorgeous location,” he said.

Mr Watt said the property is attracting buyers “from all corners”, including locally, Sydney and Canberra.

“With draw-cards Berry, Gerroa, and Seven Mile Beach right at the doorstep, the property is drawing the attention of buyers with a passion for restoring period homes, and those with a vision for utilising the property for a combination of personal and short-term holiday use, retreats or gatherings,” he said

This story was first published as Historic South Coast estate for sale — and it’s opposite a vineyard on view.com.au