'Extraordinary restoration': Historic Anlaby Station listed for sale
Step back in time at Anlaby Station, one of Australia’s most historically important sheep properties turned tourism magnet and reap the rewards following decades of careful renovations.
The historic South Australian estate at 829 Anlaby Road, Hamilton, is considered mainland Australia’s oldest operational merino stud, with nationally significant gardens so expansive they were once tended to by 14 gardeners.
It features a beautifully restored 1859 Victorian homestead, surrounded by historic private gardens that are blooming just in time for the Anlaby Spring Festival held at the property this weekend.
The remarkable estate, just 90 minutes from Adelaide, makes for a scenic detour halfway between the renowned Barossa Valley and Clare Valley wine regions.
The property has been listed for sale via an expressions-of-interest campaign through Colliers International Adelaide’s Will Sumner, Jesse Manuel and Tim Altschwager.
“After many years of dedicated care and restoration, the owners feel the time is right for a new custodian to take the reins,” Sumner says.
“Anlaby truly is a step back in time, and it needs to be experienced in person to fully appreciate the incredible history and expanse of the estate.”
Home to a collection of significant Victorian and Edwardian-era buildings, and farming and equestrian operations, Anlaby’s reach is vast. It sprawls across 745 hectares in the historic pastoral region just 15 minutes from the historic copper mining town of Kapunda.
Established in 1839 by pastoralist and politician Frederick Dutton, Anlaby has grown into a multifaceted estate, combining an operational farming enterprise producing luxury Anlaby-branded merino products with short stays, heritage tourism and events.
Owners Andrew Morphett and Peter Hayward, who are originally from Sydney, have hosted weddings, homestead and garden tours, and festivals, with the estate drawing crowds seeking a unique experience.
Inspired by its past and potential, the pair bought the property in 2003 and set about meticulously restoring it.
The estate is anchored by the grand 166-year-old, 35-room Victorian homestead featuring eight bedrooms, five bathrooms, two libraries, two dining rooms, sitting rooms, and a billiard room.
Morphett and Hayward turned three run-down heritage buildings into cosy and luxurious self-contained B&Bs – The Manor House, The Head Gardener’s Cottage and The Coachman’s Cottage – all supported by an electric vehicle charging station.
The 1850s stone-built Manor House, previously used as a manager and accountant’s office, is the largest of the three, with a kitchen, a sitting room, and three bedrooms upstairs. The others are spacious and single-storey, surrounded by their own gardens.
Morphett and Hayward also returned 4.45 hectares of nationally significant yet overgrown gardens to their former glory.
Anlaby is also home to Australia’s largest private collection of National Trust-listed heritage trees, with more than 648 specimens from around the world.
Having had much success diversifying the property’s income streams – including an on-site luxury gift shop selling Anlaby’s “pure luxury” wool products – they feel it’s time to move on.
“Andrew and Peter have done an incredible job at preserving the history of the estate over their tenure and have now made the decision to begin the transition to ensure the long-term future of the property,” Sumner says.
Other historic buildings include a farm manager’s house, an overseer’s house and a character stone shearing shed of national significance.
Anlaby Station has been a working sheep station for more than 185 years and boasts functional farming operations, quality soils and an average rainfall of over 450 millimetres.
Alongside restoring the estate, the owners set about re-establishing its historic elements, including tracking down the descendants of Anlaby’s original flock of sheep and bringing them back to the property in 2007.
“These efforts … are what make the offering really special,” Manuel says.
“Their commitment to preserving a significant piece of South Australian farming history is evident throughout every aspect of the estate.”
Naturally, the campaign has generated widespread attention and early interest.
“We’re pleased with the diversity of enquiries so far, coming from local, interstate, and international prospects,” Sumner says.
Altscwhager says they expect interest to come from “high-net-worth Australian and overseas families looking to acquire a special generational asset, high-end hospitality and tourism operators, agricultural industry participants and private investors with an affinity for the region”.
The Anlaby Spring Festival, an annual garden and heritage event held at the estate, takes place this weekend, October 18 and 19. It presents “Australia’s oldest private garden in full bloom” with live music, food and wine stalls.
“It’s a timely opportunity for interested parties to tour the gardens and experience the tourism potential firsthand,” Sumner says.
The property is for sale through an expressions of interest campaign closing at 4pm on Friday, November 21.
