The Hermitage, a colonial Bracknell, Tasmanian homestead listed
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The 1825 colonial Tasmanian homestead, The Hermitage, with Liffey River frontage at Bracknell has been listed for sale.
The 77-hectare holding dates back to when the Cressy Land Company built the house as part of its extensive agricultural land on the Norfolk Plains.
The Cressy Company was a private partnership of seven members, formed in London in 1825. It was initiated by Bartholomew Thomas whose brother was the Colonial Treasurer of Van Diemen's Land. The company failed to secure a land grant in New South Wales, but secured a 20,000-acre grant in the Cressy district.
The sandstone, brick and bluestone Georgian era house, set among giant conifers, has undergone major renovations in the past two decades.
There's also a three-bedroom farm cottage, cattle yards, six bay machinery and shearing sheds.
The agricultural land is subdivided internally by electric fencing to support a herd of pedigree Angus cattle.
It has in the past run flocks of British bred ewes for lamb production.
Tenders close July 27 through agents Peter Stackhouse and Martin O'Byrne at Roberts Limited Western Junction.
It last sold for $400,000 in 1989. A $1.5 million plus price indication has been given to Property Observer, based on a recent $1.6 million Longford sale. The highest sale in the Bracknell district was $1.73 million for a 250 hectare grazing holding in 2005. Since then a 179 hectare holding sold in 2006 for $800,000 and a 134 hectare holding sold in 2010 for $740,000.
Bracknell featured in the Tasmanian Mercury's top 10 towns list in 2004 in 10th place.
The list was:
Stanley
Good enough to double as a Cornish fishing village. Bluestone, salt air, nice folks and awash with history. Becoming a tourism must-see.
Cressy
Gets a medal for its long main street – the way country towns used to be. Set amid the gently rolling Northern Midlands, it is redolent of old pastoral money and old-fashioned shop service.
Oatlands
It may be bypassed by the Midland Highway but it still has that solid sandstone dependability. A lovely mix of history and business energy.
Strahan
Almost a boutique town but still retains its rugged edge from its frontier mining and fishing days. The weather is always better than you would expect and there is heaps to do.
Cygnet
Settled down from its hippy phase and is a lively Huon Valley junction for arts, food, wine, fun and the mildly offbeat.
Deloraine
Boomville. Its upwardly curving main street has the bustle of a much larger town. And that view of the Western Tiers!
Swansea
History and the sea combined. Close enough to Hobart and Launceston for a trendy day trip but with beaches close enough to escape the summer crowds. Picturesque golf course, too.
Richmond
The leader of the pack for decades. Still sniffily superior – and why not? History, good looks, locals who are passionate about their town and great shopping.
Bothwell
The gateway to the Central Highlands and all that fishing. Got that spread-out, old-town, seen-better-days mossy charm and is tops for hospitality.
Bracknell
Wonderful Northern Midlands village just a tad off the beaten track. Just like Deloraine, there are Tiers in your eyes. A real sense of community and even has a decent footy team.
