Traditional country living with a home and horses still a reality

As a covid-induced surge into rural living continues to gain momentum, the regional centres are welcoming the opportunities this growth brings and none more so than Murrumbateman.

While the village is meeting demand from the increased growth with infrastructure such as a new school, duplication of the Barton Highway and housing estates, the entry of “Silver Birch” onto the property market means people can still find the space they are after for a rural lifestyle.

Agent George Southwell said the entry of the 4.05-hectare (10-acre) property “Silver Birch” on the market meant people could still buy a home with land they could either subdivide in half - and still have plenty of space – or keep the property whole to have horses, which is exactly why the vendor Cheryl Cameron bought the property 40 years ago.

“Early in the 1980s I bought the property so that I could pursue my horse interests and live where my horses were,” Cheryl said.

Cheryl invested in two large stables, a tack room and float parking/feed storage area for her horses.

“The property has back access to the 10-acre ‘Common’, which means I could go riding straight from my yard, but it did not take long to put in a private, flood-lit dressage arena for riding on the property. The agent said not only was the positioning of the property lucrative, situated between the Common and Barton Highway, but the size was a rare find.

“This is one of the last remaining blocks in the area of this size and it’s hard to believe someone can have this amount of land just 30 minutes from Canberra and two minutes from the village centre where you will find shops, day care and dining out.

“Even better, a large selection of the region’s renowned boutique wineries are only minutes away.”

Now moving to downsize and renovate an 1890s house in Yass, Cheryl reflects on her time at “Silver Birch”.

“My best memory is of the night I sat up and helped deliver my foal, but there’s also the lovely friends I have made living out here who share the same interests.

“I will also miss the birdlife - Rosellas, Blue Wrens, Finches and the bloody magpies. My advice is to feed them a bit of shredded cheese and you will be introduced to the new family every spring and watch them grow up - no swooping here!

“The varied wildlife, including kangaroos and possums, have also been a treat to get to know.”

With the development in Murrumbateman forging ahead, rural living has never looked so good.

Agent: George Southwell | 0429 838 345 | george.southwell@raywhite.com