Iconic South Gippsland farming estate Tullaree hits public market for first time in 70 years

Historically, Tullaree is the oldest homestead in the Buffalo and Tarwin district and was once connected to the renowned Clement family.

The farm has since gained a reputation for its quality production of stud and commercial Angus cattle, in addition to specialised poultry production.

Located at 90 McRae Road, Buffalo, just 33 kilometres south of Leongatha and 168 kilometres south-east of Melbourne’s CBD, the property boasts quality soil and lush low rolling hills near the Bass Strait coastline close to Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Investors seeking to diversify income streams and extend its operational versatility and year-round productive capacity could expand and set up a full paddock-to-plate experience.

The nearby Tarwin River provides an abundant natural water supply, supplementing a decent rainfall – a reliable 860 millimetres annually benefits the pastures. Further water resources include Fish Creek and Bald Hill Creek, with numerous catchment dams and a fully reticulated trough network.

Tullaree homestead stands as a testament to Victorian-Federation architecture with its red brick construction, symmetrical hip and valley roof, and intricate design, including the arched portico and fretted gable end, according to the Heritage Council of Victoria.

The stunning five-bedroom (14 rooms in total) mansion spans 523 square metres and boasts Huon pine floorboards, hydronic heating, original fireplaces and a swimming pool. The internal ceilings are lined with Lincrusta Walton wallpaper, adding to the heritage charm, and finished with a bull-nose verandah to take in the surrounding established garden. 

An avenue of ornamental pear trees leads visitors to the front door, flanked by a pair of tall Washingtonian Palms, also of historical significance.

A second private cottage – a four-bedroom staff or manager’s quarters – has its own private access, plus two bathrooms, an open-plan kitchen, a wood heater, and split-system heating and cooling with a double-car garage and shed storage. 

Currently operating as a breeding and finishing operation, the property’s infrastructure is further complemented by a new state-of-the-art covered cattle handling facility (over 510 head capacity), a machinery shed, workshop and sundry shedding. With 90 per cent of the property’s fencing replaced within the past five years, cattle are secure and moved with ease through a strategically designed laneway system to enhance production.

According to listing agents, Elders Rural Services Australia, the owners have embarked on pasture improvement programs with soil profiles that include black loam river flats to rising grey loams. 

The soil is consistently fertilised to achieve an outstanding balance of highly productive and versatile crops, including perennial ryegrass, clover and fescue. 

The owners have also turned their expertise to specialised poultry production with a licensed on-site processing facility and commercial kitchen with products supplied to the high-end restaurant trade.

Elders agent Ben Townsend said the property was undoubtedly renowned as one of the most notable holdings in the South Gippsland region.

“Tullaree is widely renowned for its productivity and scale, its location in the high rainfall region of South Gippsland makes it a sought-after holding,” he said.

“The history of the property is legendary and Elders is delighted to be working with the vendors to facilitate the sale.”

The homestead is the most substantial Victorian-Federation house in the South Gippsland Shire, according to Heritage Council Victoria, and demonstrates the early settlement and development of this area from swampy marshlands to grazing country.

“Tullaree is a locally rare example of this style of house in brick construction,” the heritage report reads.

“This is especially significant as brick materials were extremely restricted in the Buffalo and Tarwin area due to the distance and difficulty of the terrain.” 

The South Gippsland Shire estimates about 30,000 residents call the region home, according to their latest data.

Each year, 10.8 million visitors to Gippsland generate $2.4 billion, outperforming regional Victoria.

The visitor economy supports over 3000 businesses that derive the majority of their income from overnight and day trip visitors attracted to the area’s natural beauty, gourmet produce, and wineries.

Strongly backed by the government, multiple projects have been put into place to further Gippsland’s visitor economy, including the $48 million upgrade of the Philip Island Nature Park, the $30 million Latrobe Creative Arts Precinct and the $13.9 million West Gippsland Arts Centre.

A comprehensive information Memorandum is available upon request.