Out of this world: Historic telescope finds new orbit with local buyers

The 84-hectare property, complete with its cross-shaped 1.48km radio telescope, attracted interest from two distinct groups, according to Ray White Bungendore selling agent Ellie Merriman.

The property at 1152 Hoskinstown Road, Hoskinstown in New South Wales, was sold on October 4.

Ms Merriman said astronomy enthusiasts were captivated by nearly 60 years of scientific history, and local farmers eyed off some of the region's finest grazing land.

“The sale attracted considerable local interest, including parties with historical connections to the land, which was originally resumed by the government for the observatory's construction,” Ms Merriman said.

“This is an Australian landmark.

"I've sold old convents and quirky properties over the years, but never a giant telescope.

"This really was next level - it's not every day you list a property where the main feature stretches 1.5km in two directions."

The observatory, operated by the University of Sydney's School of Physics since 1965, was a pioneer in radio astronomy.

It mapped the entire southern sky through the Sydney University Molonglo Sky Survey, detected fast radio bursts, and trained generations of astronomers who lived in the on-site student quarters while conducting their research.