Historic farm and home specialists. Nick van Vliet & John Lewis have a very high regards for provenance and heritage. Our property description below is just some of the evidence of our passion. Please call us if you need any advice, we are pleased to assist you.
"Wattle Hills" historic homestead on 25 acres
"Wattle Hills" is one of the Fleurieu Peninsula's most significant historic homesteads. Located at Wattle Flat, it's an easy commute via the McLaren Vale wine region, set between the country townships of Yankalilla and Myponga.
John Clarke arrived from Ireland in Holdfast Bay, South Australia in 1836. He had to carry his belongings through the water to the beach, then through the sand hills to the settlement. Together with other settlers, they organised tents or built reed huts, and with very limited provisions available, learned to be resourceful to survive. Kangaroo, emu, fish and parrots were on the diet
John purchased a town acre in Adelaide and imported a horse and dray from Tasmania, then hacked his way through bushland to the Wattle Flat area, the first known European settler. He squatted there in 1838. It was 10 years before he could purchase the land for the sum of 1 pound an acre. His first shelter was a tent, later a slab hut with thatched roof, then the two-storey home
In 1840 he returned to Adelaide to meet and marry Catherine Taggart, also from Ireland. They returned to Wattle Hills, then their children came along. In 1843 the grander home was built, but with a growing family funds were needed to extend, so in the 1850's together with eldest son Thomas, John went prospecting in the Victorian gold fields and struck gold. There were now sufficient funds to extend the farmhouse and buy much more land in Wattle Flat, Myponga, Yankalilla, and even the Northern Territory
John and Catherine ended up having 13 children and living the rest of their lives on the property. (More historic data available upon request)
Now some 185 years later, it's your turn
What we love about the property:
Wattle Hills Cottage, Circa 1838;
2 storey stone construction, perfect BnB
Downstairs has slate flooring
Open plan living/dining/kitchenette
Huge open fireplace, currently blocked off and has gas heater provision
Bedroom with solid timber floors and bathroom upstairs
Wattle Hills Main Homestead, Circa 1843;
Welcoming front verandah leads into the hallway with slate flooring
High ceilings, slate and Australian hardwood flooring, many original windows with hand floated glass panes, some lead lights, and stone masonry all add to outstanding charm and character
Stately main living room featuring open fire with Australian cedar fire surround, mantle, and slate hearth, inset cedar display cabinet and double hung windows with beautiful country views
Second living/ dining room has raked ceilings, hardwood flooring, slow combustion heater with slate hearth and rustic timber slab mantelpiece
French Provincial bespoke kitchen with solid granite benchtops, Smeg 900mm gas cooktop with electric oven, Asko dishwasher, water filter, generous fridge space and huge walk-through larder/ butler's pantry. The kitchen also has French doors leading out to a slate paved central courtyard and rustic laundry/ storeroom
Main bedroom is at the front of the home with open fireplace, ceiling fan, double hung window with north facing fantastic country views, large walk-in robe with secret cellar underneath, and spacious ensuite featuring vintage vanity, toilet and shower
Bedroom 2 is on the east side of the home, it is huge and has direct access outside with north facing French doors, windows, wall mounted heater and ceiling fan
Bedrooms 3 and 4 are single bedrooms with raked ceilings
Family bathroom has a huge luxurious bath, very spacious shower, and separate toilet and handy outside access to the front verandah
The third bathroom has shower, toilet, trough and loads of space to install inside laundry
Linen press in hallway
Swimming pool and pavilion;
Inground 50,000L salt chlorinated fibreglass swimming pool
7.6 x 5.2m open plan room with alfresco entertainment area overlooking the pool
Potential second BnB, large enough for internal bathroom/ kitchenette (stcc)
Raked timber ceilings
Solid timber flooring
Aluminium doors and windows that look out over the pool area and hills views
Split system air-conditioner
Outbuildings;
Double carport by the homestead
The old stone dairy
Magnificent original stone shearing shed, storing up to 1000 bales of hay
Foaling stable with direct access to foaling paddock
12x6m workshop
9x4m tool shed
Historic pig stys (in need of repair)
Most outbuildings have power, lights, and concrete floors
The Land;
Approximately 25 acres divided into 6 paddocks and 2 small holding yards
Cattle yard and crush
Lined colour bond horse shelters and watering troughs to each paddock
Post and rail fencing, sita-wire, some electric fence provision, ring lock and barbed wire fencing
Services;
Mains power
Mains water to paddocks, domestic buildings, and grounds
50,000 litres of rainwater for gardens
Bio Cycle septic system
Bottled gas
2 x instant gas hot water services
Wireless NBN internet
Wattle it be for you and your family? A holiday home, a business venture with paid accommodation, something commercial (stcc) in the magnificent old stone shearing shed, or a place to call home for your family and livestock? John Clarke was there on the 28th day of December 1836, when Governor Hindmarsh proclaimed South Australia a province of the British Empire, make sure you are at the inspection of this important part of South Australia's history, you're gonna love it.
OUWENS CASSERLY - MAKE IT HAPPEN
RLA 275403
