Historic Gilgal farm near Cootamundra for sale for first time since 1865
One of the most historic farms in the Cootamundra region of New South Wales has been listed for sale for the first time since the original owners settled there in 1865.
The three holdings, known as Gilgal, Winona and O’Connor, comprise 3618 hectares of farming land and are expected to sell for about $30 million in total.
The farm runs a sheep flock of 8000 composite ewes, producing prime lambs, as well as 350 breeding cows and 400 to 800 hectares of crops.
“This scale is rare in the Cootamundra area and it’s a turn-key package that could suit an institutional investor or a farming family … it’s a production powerhouse,” said Sam Triggs, Inglis Rural Property sales manager.
“The property has outstanding backgrounding and fattening capability, a full complement of working improvements, excellent perennial pasture and cropping programs, professional management as well as a full inventory of high quality composite sheep flock and Angus cattle herd available with purchase by negotiation.”
The property has improved perennial pastures that are supplemented annually with crops including wheat, canola, barley, oats, ryegrass and lupins.
The farm has two ground bores, several creek systems and 86 surface dams, some of which are springfed. The system is bolstered by town water connection. The area receives about 620 millimetres of rain per annum.
The farm has been passed down through five generations of the same family, the Wards, since 1865, but the current generation has decided to retire.
The historic Gilgal homestead, which was built around 1870 and has been renovated, features five bedrooms, a large billiard room, mud room and formal entrance. Nearby is a swimming pool and synthetic tennis court.
Mr Triggs said it was a tightly-held area with very few farms of its scale coming to market. Properties in the region were owned by a mix of local families and some corporations, he added.
The properties can be sold either in one line or individually.
“Gilgal, Winona and O’Connor have been continually developed by the Ward family with a focus on increasing productivity, streamlining operations, improved fencing, agronomic development and upgrading the accommodation and working infrastructure. It is an efficient and well-managed holding with excellent economies in labour, livestock production, processing and buying power,” Inglis Rural Property director Jamie Inglis added.
Mr Triggs said there been some strong inspections already and a good number of inquiries,
