Prestige Property: Quamby Estate, Hagley, TAS

Quamby Estate has adopted diverse and distinguished roles in the rural, cultural and political life of Tasmania.

The historic manse – which dates back to 1828 – remains as one of Australia’s most desirable family homes.

The 10-bedroom, 10-bathroom, 5-car parking pile is surrounded by some 64-hectares of prime farming land, ideal for those who prize privacy, and are searching for a comprehensive escape from city life.

The picturesque homestead – built in an Anglo-colonial style – is a heady mix of art and architectural wonder with an elegant flagstone paved verandah wrapping around the residence to the north and east – bringing beautiful light to the home.

With a distant view of Ben Lomond plateau the house enjoys double-hipped roods and attics and is structured around a transverse hall. Aside from the ballroom, which was added later, the principal rooms open directly onto the verandah through eight-pane French doors in pairs with transom lights.

Upon entry one is led into the hall which sees two evocative reception rooms – each embodying the home’s classic character with French doors and fireplaces and a library wedged between.

Elsewhere, the dining room’s soaring ceiling, floorboards and generous proportions are ideal for entertaining with an adjoining bar and fireplace adding a layer of intimacy to the residence.

The kitchen – which is built to a commercial quality – ensures Quamby has indeed, moved with the times.

The expansive residence is privy to 10 bedrooms, each accompanied by a sophisticated ensuite.

However, the estate is not limited to the historic homestead, with Quamby including its own manicured nine-hole golf course (yes it has its own golf course), complete with its own clubhouse delivered in a converted stables building.

Further Quamby’s light-filled function room, Georgian era coach house and extensive farm outbuildings play to the estate’s adaptability, with many hosting weddings on the grounds.

Built for Sir Richard Dry, who became the first Australian born state premier, the home sits just 10 minutes from the township of Hagley, and only 30 minutes from Launceston.

The listing is with Knight Frank Tasmania’s Sam Woolcock (+61 400 813 033). Price guide, $8-$10 million; knighfranktasmania.com.au

A perfectly-positioned harbourside residence, formerly the home of a late Melbourne Cup-winning horse owner, has come to market with $14 million price expectations for its February 22 auction.

Sitting in one of Sydney’s most coveted enclaves on Waiwera St in Lavender Bay, the duplex with never-to-be-built-out gunbarrell views of both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House was home to championship thoroughbred owner Michael Fergus Doyle. The Irish-born entrepreneur was part owner of Protectionist, the 2014 Melbourne Cup winner.

Bought by Doyle in April 2020, in an off-market deal totalling $11 million according to CoreLogic data, the two-storey Lavender Bay property is being sold by the racing legend’s family through Atlas Sydney & East Coast. Doyle, a prominent character in Sydney’s Irish community for more than 50 years after arriving down under in the 1960s with a 10 pound boat ticket, sadly passed away in November 2023 at the age of 77.

Doyle built his fortune by building a construction company from the ground up that eventually employed more than 300 people and had a contract with Sydney Water worth A$100 million a year. By 2009, Doyle sold the business to a company owned by the Singapore Government and breeding horses through Doyles Breeding & Racing became his next passion.

The contemporary four-bedroom three-bathroom property features 304sq m of internal living space with additional outdoor entertaining areas on both levels.

Beyond the impressive grand entrance foyer with a personalised floor medallion, the layout opens up to reveal a large everyday living level with a formal lounge room and casual sitting space featuring walls of windows to frame the Harbour City’s top icons. Thanks to a central skylight tower, this main living zone is also flooded with natural light.

A spacious chef-grade kitchen anchored by a long island bench is equipped with Gaggenau appliances, gas burners, dual ovens, and a grill plate. The adjoining dining area spills out onto a terrace with an integrated bar table plus a Luna Park and bridge backdrop. The entry level also houses a home office or guest bedroom with a Juliette balcony and integrated desks opposite a full bathroom.

In the main bedroom suite upstairs there is a deep full-width balcony with more landmark views, a vast walk-in wardrobe, plus a spa ensuite complete with twin vanities, heated floors and warming towel racks. Two more bedrooms on the upper level each have access via French doors to a shared street-facing terrace and built-ins with a common family-friendly bathroom.

Added extras include automatic awnings and privacy screens to the outdoor areas, marble floor tiles, and a double lock up garage with storage.

The designer duplex is located close to harbourside dining venues, foreshore parks such as Bob Gordon Reserve and Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Gardens, Kirribilli Markets and North Sydney’s bustling CBD.

Property 2 at 9-11 Waiwera St is on the market with Adrian Bridges and Daniel Chester of Atlas Sydney & East Coast with a price guide of $14 million. It is set to go under the hammer on February 22.

Prestige Property: Quamby Estate, Hagley, TAS

One of Australia’s most historic homes hits the market.

His stallion once won the Melbourne Cup, now this late legendary horse owner’s thoroughbred harbourside home is on the market.