SYDNEYSIDERS looking for a tree change are set to jump on this new land offering just 5kms from the uber stylish village of Berry in the Shoalhaven region of the NSW South Coast. And yes, the countryside really is that green and lush!
The former dairy and cattle farm at 510 Beach Rd, Berry literally oozes charm and the area has long been a favourite for Sydneysiders seeking a country escape.
A newly sub-divided farm set on luscious rolling land now offers 28 lots ranging in size from 1ha to 4.4ha blocks, with 10 initial lots to be auctioned on March 28 at noon.
Marketing agents Ray White Double Bay Founder Craig Pontey, along with Kate Morgan of Ray White Gerringong and Shane Hilaire of Ray White Berry said the land blocks were “a very rare find”.
“It’s less than 2 hours drive to Sydney. I have no doubt we’re going to get killed in the rush by buyers,” Mr Pontey said.
Mr Hilaire said that since the start of COVID people have been keener than ever to find a lifestyle property not too far away from Sydney and Berry has long been a favourite destination.
Ms Morgan agreed that in the last 12 months the buyer enquiry levels had spiked for people looking for a lifestyle change. “If you can work from home, you might as well do it somewhere with an amazing view and plenty of room to build your dream home.”
Jim and Enid Hall bought the partly developed dairy farm in 1961 off Jim’s dad who bought the land initially in 1958.
“Jim and Enid made a formidable business partnership battling ornery cattle, cantankerous bulls, floods, fires, droughts, rabbits, foxes, government regulations, the deregulation of the milk market and the introduction of daylight savings which dad disliked,” the seller said.
“Jim rose at 5am every morning regardless of the season. He commenced every morning with a steaming hot fresh brewed cup of Bushell's pot brewed tea with one or two Arnott's Nice biscuits. Each biscuit was dunked into the steaming hot milky white brew so as not to allow the biscuit to become too soft to prevent the biscuit from missing its intended destination,” he reminisced.
“For 32 years, Jim and Enid milked their herd of Friesian cows twice each day regardless of whether it was hot, cold, wet, dry, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Easter or Anzac Day.
“They loved the serenity of the early mornings and the tranquillity of each day in what they considered to be their slice of paradise.”
Some 31 years ago, the Halls semi-retired and converted the dairy farm into a beef cattle business. In 2013, their adult children commenced discussions with Shoalhaven City Council to rezone the property for a large lot residential rural subdivision.
James Hall passed away in 2015. His memory lives on in lot number 10 which is the biggest block for sale at 4.4ha and houses a remnant bushland patch called “Jim’s Forest".
The blank canvas blocks with views for days are less than 2kms from Seven Mile Beach and 5mins drive to the township of Berry. They offer a great opportunity for buyers to build their dream lifestyle home. There are views of Saddleback, Woodhill, Berry and Cambewarra mountains.
Prices start at $1m for the 1ha blocks, and $1.5m to $2m for the larger parcels of land.
