Historic Tasmanian farm 'Streanshalh' on the market for the first time in more than a century

Judith Nicolson, who has been running the farm since her husband, Andrew, died in 2014, said it was a very difficult decision to be selling the much-loved property but the time was right for a new owner.

“It has been the subject of a lot of sleepless nights and a lot of tears,” Ms Nicolson said. “I can still get quite emotional when I think about it, but it’s just time for my next chapter and for Streanshalh’s next chapter.

“It’s just not the same here without Andrew – I find myself too busy and too isolated on my own. It’s time to move on and let someone else take it to the next stage.”

The main homestead was built in 1836. Photo: Supplied

The 2158-hectare property is divided into three titles and is used for a variety of grazing and cropping pursuits, with river frontage to the Macquarie River.

The homestead on the property is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register due to its “importance to the community’s sense of place” and its “ability to demonstrate the principal characteristics of an old Colonial Georgian rural domestic building”.

“It’s just a wonderful family home with a fantastic atmosphere. I consider it a privilege to have lived here,” Ms Nicolson said. “It’s just a lovely place to live. There are fantastic neighbours that are there if you need them but not in your pocket. I think we’re extremely fortunate. We’ve all had wonderful times together.”

Streanshalh had a strong reputation for its Corriedale sheep, and Ms Nicolson has continued to operate the 5000-head Polwarth stud from the property.

The land that Streanshalh now sits on was given to mariner Captain Francis Allison in the early 1800s as part of a 1000-acre grant.

In 1827 Allison and his family moved onto the property on the Macquarie River, and construction began on the homestead in 1834.

The house is listed on the Tasmanian heritage register. Photo: Supplied

Two years later the building was completed. Allison also gave the property its name, with Streanshalh translating to “the house on the hill”. By 1854 Allison owned about 43,000 acres in the area.

After much of the surrounding area was sold, the grandfather of Ms Nicolson’s late husband, Norman Nicolson snr, bought the remaining 1200 acres from Allison, along with a series of nearby properties.

Norman’s son Athol – Andrew’s father – inherited the Streanshalh property while his brothers received surrounding properties.

The Polwarth stud was established in the 1960s at Streanshalh by Andrew Nicolson, who went on to write two books about Corriedale sheep.

The 2158-hectare property is known for its Corriedale sheep. Photo: Supplied

Streanshalh is being sold through a tender process, closing 22 November, run by Harrison Humphrey’s Robert Harrison, who said the sale was a “once in a generation opportunity”.

Ms Nicolson said she hoped that another family would buy the property.

“I’d love to see a family in this house,” she said. “It has such a lovely atmosphere, and Andrew and his two sisters had a fantastic childhood here.”