WHIMSY FARM: A MAGICAL BYRON BAY HINTERLAND RETREAT
Whimsy Farm is a playful period estate positioned in Byron Bay’s picturesque hinterland.
3 min
Tucked away in Byron Bay’s coveted hinterland, Whimsy Farm is a traditional rural homestead surrounded by more than 16ha of lush fertile grounds with equestrian facilities and a host of whimsical additions including a fairytale-inspired maze.
Just listed with Sotheby’s International Realty Byron Bay, agents Denzil Lloyd and Will Phillips are running an expressions of interest campaign on the glamorous getaway with a price guide of $5.25 million to $5.75 million.
The romantic estate in Federal, 25 kms from Byron Bay dates back more than a century, but has been meticulously renovated by its current owners to attain modern day dream home status.
Back in 2016, the enviable property even featured on Foxtel’s short-lived reality TV show I Own Australia’s Best Home. The picturesque parcel has also been appreciated by location scouts and has appeared in a long list of fashion brand and magazine shoots such as Country Style and Queensland Homes.
Owner Melinda Boundy, founder of boutique interiors firm Melinda Boundy Design, was instrumental in reviving the historic Federal homestead. She has described the rural property as a “a respite from the world” where she and her husband have raised their two sons over the past decade.
“I brought my boys down 10 years ago to nurture their creativity, their boyhood,” Boundy said in a recent Instagram post announcing the impending sale.
“We found our farm with its double-storey treehouse and 40 acres the perfect place for two young boys to thrive.”
In addition to hiring out the estate for formal events, Boundy said the family had celebrated several milestones at the address.
“Many parties, sleepovers, friends staying and events have been held [here]. It has seen the filming of a TV show or two, music videos, location shoots and weddings,” she added.
“Now it’s time to pass the baton to another family to share the magic and wonderment of this beautiful compound.”
Lloyd agreed that the listing is a magical estate, ripe for the picking.
“It’s a wonderland. There’s the maze, but it’s also got the treehouse, teepee, dams, beautiful established veggie gardens and it’s perfect for those who love horse riding,” Mr Lloyd said.
“It really is an oasis with plenty of classical charm as well. It’s not an ostentatious home; it’s an original Queenslander from 1910.”
Living up to its storybook name, Whimsy Farm is home to a preserved traditional Queenslander residence with five bedrooms, plus a freestanding guest cottage. There is also a separate pool house and a combined shed or office on site, all capturing scenic hinterland views.
The main single-storey residence has a choice of entertaining spaces inside and out as well as bedrooms opening to private alfresco areas. A grand kitchen and the large living room both open to a vast terrace and pool area.
In the primary bedrooms suite there is a bay window overlooking the natural surrounds, an ensuite with double vanities, and out on the covered deck an outdoor bathtub is an idyllic spot for soaking under the stars.
The playful property has also operated as a holiday rental and offers up unique bonus features including a solar-heated semi circle pool, a double-storey treehouse, a teepee, horse stables, paddocks and a an Olympic-sized dressage arena.
A true tree change destination, the Federal address is home to 10 acres of regenerated forest, eight water tanks, two lagoons, extensive raised veggie gardens and a citrus orchard.
It is conveniently located a scenic 30-minute drive to Byron Bay and 20 minutes to Bangalow.
Whimsy Farm at 711 Federal Dr, Federal is listed through Sotheby’s International Realty Byron Bay through an expressions of interest campaign closing February 20, 5pm.
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Built in 1880, Brighton’s historic John Knox House blends Gothic Revival grandeur with a striking contemporary extension and resort-style living.
2 min
Once the home of a Presbyterian minister, John Knox House has had a distinguished journey over the past century and a half.
The former manse next to John Knox Church on North Rd is now a glamorous Gothic landmark complete with a private tennis court, swimming pool, and a sophisticated 21st century addition.
Today’s John Knox House is a modern mansion offering all the creature comforts of a contemporary family home, with period details celebrating the residence’s holy history.
Built in 1880, the Gothic Revival manse was designed by prolific Melbourne architect Lloyd Tayler, who also drafted St John’s Anglican Church in Toorak and St Paul’s in Sale. Tayler’s other work includes Marden House in East Melbourne and the 1880s additions to the iconic Sunbury mansion Rupertswood, birthplace of The Ashes.
By 2026, John Knox House will remain a significant piece of Melbourne’s architectural history, even featuring on the John Knox Architectural Trail Walk.
It remained in the church’s hands for more than a century before the Uniting Church sold both the place of worship and the manse in 2007, with the latter selling for $2.701 million.
Since then, the Brighton trophy home has traded several times, most recently in 2017 for $6.75 million. Back on the market this month, John Knox House is listed with Kay & Burton Bayside agents Matthew Pillios and Melissa Grinter with a price guide between $10.5 million and $11.5 million.
The heritage-listed residence sits on a vast 1647sq m block in one of Brighton’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, less than 1 km to the bay.
While the grand estate has a colourful history, it also features a sophisticated modern renovation showcasing a blend of old-world charm and 21st-century flair fit for a growing family.
Original Gothic touches include ornate detailing, tessellated tiles, a period fireplace, and stained-glass windows. Meanwhile, the striking contemporary addition, with its unique cantilevered roof, is defined by concrete, steel, and glass walls.
At the heart of the newer wing is a large open-plan living zone with a stone kitchen featuring Miele appliances, a large island bench, and a walk-in pantry. The adjoining dining and lounge spaces spill out to the alfresco entertaining area with a built-in fridge, pizza oven, outdoor television, and integrated seating.
The long list of resort-style features includes a pool, an outdoor fireplace, a full-size tennis court that can be used as a basketball court, plus landscaped grounds, established trees, and a children’s playground.
A ground-floor palatial primary suite has a fireplace, dressing room, and a vast marble ensuite with a freestanding tub and twin vanities. Upstairs, there is a spacious rumpus room, a family-friendly bathroom, and four more bedrooms, each with built-ins.
Additional features at John Knox House include an underground cellar, hydronic heating, surround-sound systems, CCTV security, intercom and C-Bus home automation throughout.
The historic house is close to Brighton Beach, North Road Reserve, Kamesburgh Gardens and Martin St shopping and dining precincts.
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