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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A rare 41-hectare Southern Highlands farm is on the market with a $10 million guide, as demand for prestige lifestyle estates continues to surge.
2 min
A rolling 41ha parcel of farmland in the Southern Highlands, which last sold back in 2012 for $3.05 million, has come to market with a price guide of $10 million.
The sprawling rural estate, once featured in Highlife Magazine showcasing its colourful gardens, is listed with Anne Stone of McGrath Bowral through a private treaty sale.
Beyond the stately front gates and meandering driveway, the working farm consists of a five-bedroom main residence coupled with a three-bedroom guest cottage, as well as a private self-contained studio space.
Also known as Dragon Farm, the picturesque pocket sits 10kms west of Robertson and 47kms from the shores of Kiama.
Near the sleepy hamlet of Wildes Meadow, the provincial property houses 17 fenced paddocks, a championship-sized tennis court with a pavilion, plus a wellness area including a gym and steam room.
Just in time for the Australian Open, McGrath recently highlighted the value of a home grown tennis court in its 2026 Prestige Residential report.
The demand for lifestyle properties with sporting amenities has surged since the early days of the pandemic in 2020, with tennis courts proving to be a big hit.
Along Australia’s east coast, the study showed there were 71 prestige properties with tennis courts sold in the 12-months to October 2025.
New South Wales accounted for 46 per cent of those transactions, and the McGrath paper reported a price premium of 42 per cent achieved for listings with a tennis court during that period.
“Super-prestige properties equipped with tennis courts remain tightly held. Rather than being transacted for a premium they’re being land banked, as the increasing rarity of estates on large parcels will likely drive value over the longterm,” said McGrath research analyst, Michelle Ciesielski.
The main homestead at the Southern Highlands property makes the most of its panoramic setting with district views from three separate living areas and covered wraparound verandas.
Within the 323sq m footprint of the primary residence there is a modern country style kitchen, a central courtyard and main bedroom with a study nook and ensuite.
Ideal for visitors or live-in staff, the rustic cottage measures approximately 140sq m and has an open plan living zone with kitchen flowing through to a traditional veranda, plus three bedrooms with built-in wardrobes and one ensuite.
Beside the cottage an original dairy shed has been transformed into an entertainer’s space with an outdoor kitchen and the separate studio retreat dishes up more accommodation with an alfresco area and fireplace.
Additionally, the tennis court cabana is also set up with a kitchenette and wellness area.
Within the property there are established internal roads, cattle yards and multiple sheds to support livestock or equestrian pursuits.
Currently, the land is home to 35 cows, two bulls and 25 calves grazing across the lush fertile pastures.
The grounds features a potager vegetable garden, a woodland walk and a sculptural Celtic-inspired garden with a maze and two dams.
Listed with Anne Stone of McGrath Bowral, 100 Blencowes Lane, Wildes Meadow is on the market via a private treaty campaign with a price guide of $10 million.
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