WHIMSY FARM: A MAGICAL BYRON BAY HINTERLAND RETREAT
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WHIMSY FARM: A MAGICAL BYRON BAY HINTERLAND RETREAT

Whimsy Farm is a playful period estate positioned in Byron Bay’s picturesque hinterland.

By Kirsten Craze
Fri, Jan 17, 2025 10:11amGrey Clock 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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Home to Sir Robert Menzies and Dame Pattie, this grand Melbourne estate is a piece of Australian political history.

By Kirsten Craze
Mon, Feb 17, 2025 2 min

It may be a well-worn cliche, but if these walls could talk there would be plenty of state secrets to share. The landmark residence at 8-10 Howard St, Kew was once the private residence of Sir Robert Menzies and Dame Pattie between 1929 and 1949, during the Prime Minster’s first term in the top job. He later held the role again from 1949 to 1966, making him Australia’s longest serving Prime Minister.

Historical land records indicate that the Howard St property was sold to Leonard Clinton Shaw, brother-in-law of Pattie Menzies. Robert and Patti then moved to live into The Lodge in Canberra.

The stately arts and crafts era home was built in the 1910s and has reportedly played host to a long list of dignitaries and VIP guests. As rumour has it, the drawing room of the Kew property is where Menzies crafted his iconic speeches and held many clandestine meetings.

Today the imposing five-bedroom residence, which sits on a vast 1874sq m land parcel in the coveted Studley Park precinct, has come to market through Marshall White agents James Tostevin and Chris Barrett with a price guide of $8.3 million to $8.9 million.

According to CoreLogic, the property last sold in 2018 for $7.75 million.

Beyond the expansive parklike grounds that to pay homage to celebrated Australian landscaper Edna Walling, the two-storey house is packed with meticulously maintained period features.

Showcasing the best of arts and crafts design influences, the home has a charming tuck-point brick façade, a tessellated tile veranda, coloured leadlight glass windows, dark stained wood panelling inside, as well as high decorative ceilings and cornices.

The large foyer divides the lower level into two distinct zones; big formal rooms and more casual family-friendly spaces. Built for entertaining on a grand scale, both the lounge and dining rooms rooms have original fireplaces and open out to either the undercover veranda or enclosed sunroom.

Also on the ground level, a spacious family room with yet another fireplace connects to an everyday meals area, and the contemporary kitchen comes complete with granite surfaces, a Paul Bocuse stove, an integrated Miele dishwasher, a walk-in pantry and wine cellar. A home office, or potential guest bedroom, plus a large laundry and two powder rooms round out the lower level floor plan.

Up via a majestic timber staircase, four big bedrooms have fireplaces and built-in wardrobes, while the primary suite is home to a palatial ensuite and dressing room. This accommodation level also houses two family bathrooms and a rear balcony that overlooks the grounds.

Outdoors there are multiple lifestyle features including a north/south tennis court with lighting, a unique rounds swimming pool and all-weather terraces.

Other features include an alarm, hydronic heating, a 60,000L underground tank, a garden shed, a remote double garage and additional off-street parking.

Located on the old Oakland Estate, the Menzies’ former home is close to popular eateries, Xavier College, St Vincents Private Hospital and golf courses.

 

Expressions of interest close on March 11, at 5pm for 8-10 Howard St, Kew. The home is listed with a price guide of $8.3 million to $8.9 million through agents James Tostevin and Chris Barrett of Marshall White.

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This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan

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Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.

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