Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Joel Robinson

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Seasoned Victorian apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> has logged more than $400 million in sales in its luxury apartment project Palmera Residences at Northcliffe on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;

Central Equity Director Karl Kutner said the sales result reflected a combination of location, product quality and delivery certainty with the project already under construction by building powerhouse Multiplex.&nbsp;

"Surpassing $400 million in sales since launch is a significant milestone and an outstanding endorsement of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>,” he said.&nbsp;

"We believe one of the key reasons for this strong result is the confidence purchasers have in knowing the project is under construction with Multiplex. Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty. They want to know that the project they commit to today will be delivered by an experienced team with a proven track record."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365782]

Kutner said it was clear there was still high demand for luxury projects that offered certainty of delivery.&nbsp;

“We are in a market where many residential developments have faced delays due to rising construction costs, labour shortages and financing challenges,” said Kutner.&nbsp;

"But having construction underway has provided our buyers with resounding confidence backed by more than 40 years of development delivery by Central Equity combined with construction by one of Australia's most respected construction companies."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365785]

Central Equity is one of Australia's most experienced privately-owned property developers. Over more than four decades, the company has delivered in excess of 85 residential developments including 10,000 apartments and many thousands of stand alone homes.&nbsp;

Located on Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe, between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Palmera Residences occupies one of the Gold Coast's most sought after beachside locations. The development has been designed to appeal to owner occupiers seeking premium residences that combine generous living spaces and resort style amenities.&nbsp;

Palmera Residences will feature an exceptional collection of resort style amenities, including two swimming pools: a generously sized family pool with safe shallow zones for relaxed recreation, and a 20 metre lap pool positioned to maximise all day sunlight.&nbsp;

Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to wellness and recreational facilities including a magnesium pool, sauna, yoga studio, expansive fitted gymnasium, resident lounge, outdoor BBQ’s&nbsp;and indoor and outdoor dining areas, together with a dedicated concierge and luxurious hotel inspired entrance foyer.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365767]

A unique feature at Palmera Residences has been designed to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle which includes both indoor and outdoor gymnasium facilities, together with thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas. A corner café has also been incorporated to provide residents with a destination for their everyday needs.&nbsp;

Kutner said buyer demand had been broad based with purchasers attracted from interstate as well as throughout South East Queensland.&nbsp;

"We're seeing strong interest from owner occupiers, lifestyle buyers and people relocating to the Gold Coast. Many purchasers have been searching for a premium beachside residence where quality, design and delivery are equally important."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Kutner said the sales milestone was an important achievement, but the focus remained firmly on delivering an exceptional development.&nbsp;

"While reaching $400 million in sales is an important milestone, our priority remains delivering a project that exceeds purchaser expectations,” he said.&nbsp;

"Palmera Residences has been designed to become one of the Gold Coast's landmark residential addresses, and we look forward to welcoming our purchasers to their new homes."&nbsp;

There are a limited number of residences remaining in selected configurations with pricing from $2,950,000 to $8,950,000. Palmera Residences is also crowned by expansive penthouses with wrap around views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

Construction certainty and strong buyer demand drive major sales result for luxury Gold Coast development

Palmera Residences fly out the door as sales pass $400 million

National property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has appointed BINAH as its construction partner for Quartet, its new Brisbane apartment development in the undersupplied suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>.

Located just two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and moments from key 2032 Olympic precincts, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet</a> will deliver 131 one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments priced from $1 million to $4.2 million, combining elevated design with a wellness-focused lifestyle offering.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=368000]

Goldfields’ Chief Executive Officer, Lachlan Thompson, said the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/binah-constructions">BINAH</a> marked an important milestone for the project.&nbsp;

“Bringing BINAH on board as our construction partner will allow us to bring our vision for Quartet forward with a team that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality residential projects,” Thompson said.&nbsp;

“We’ve taken a considered approach to progressing the site because we wanted to deliver the whole package. Buyers ultimately back great developers, great projects and great builders, and with Quartet, we’ve made sure all three line up.

“People want certainty, they want to know the project will be built, that the homes will be delivered as promised, and that the developer stands behind the quality of what they create. That’s something Goldfields has built its reputation on over many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367993]

BINAH’s Managing Director, Khalil Hafza, said the company was proud to be partnering with Goldfields to deliver Quartet.&nbsp;

“Quartet is an exciting project to bring to life, particularly given the level of detail in the residences and the extensive rooftop amenity planned for the building,” Mr Hafza said.&nbsp;

“Our focus is on delivering a high-quality build that brings that design vision to life and creates homes residents will enjoy for many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367999]

The facilities at Quartet have been feared towards the roof, with a&nbsp;25 metre lap pool, spa, sauna and cold plunge, and a communal barbecue area and alfresco.

Town planning was designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by Melbourne-based architecture firm Cera Stribley.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/cera-stribley">Cera Stribley</a> Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Dom Cerantonio, said the project responds to both its riverside setting and Brisbane’s evolving urban character.&nbsp;

“Quartet has been designed to sit comfortably within its riverside context, offering a refined take on urban living through well-planned, generously proportioned residences that will stand the test of time,” Mr Cerantonio said.&nbsp;

“An emphasis on natural light, natural textures and carefully selected finishes from timber and marble to premium appliances, creates calm, considered interiors designed for comfort and long-term liveability.”&nbsp;

Construction of Quartet will commence in July 2026, with completion anticipated in Q4 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108736]

Construction to commence on 131-residence tower designed around wellness-focused living

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

The first partnership between national developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> and Adelaide-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> has made a strong start, with the pair securing $21 million in unconditional sales at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-four-four-hutt-adelaide-144-hutt-street-adelaide-sa-5000">One Four Four Hutt</a>&nbsp;on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.

Over a third of apartments have been snapped up in the boutique 44-apartment project on the corner of Hutt Stret and Wakefield Road. Local downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in Adelaide's tightly-held southeast quarter have been the most prominent purchasers.

The DKO-designed, mixed-use development is one of the few new apartment projects in the precinct, an area where new housing supply has remained limited despite continued demand from buyers wanting to stay close to the CBD, Victoria Park and Adelaide's established east-end amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375378]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

"The level of early commitment reflects the confidence local buyers have in the Hutt Street precinct," Dendrinos said.

"Many purchasers are long-term east-end residents who love the area and want to stay connected to the neighbourhood. They recognise the value of a well-designed, well-located development.

"Our partnership with Otello has been central to this success, and the number of unconditional sales at this stage only strengthens our confidence in the South Australian market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375379]

Otello Director Daniel Harris said the sales result also highlighted the lack of new apartment opportunities within the Hutt Street precinct.

"One Four Four Hutt has clearly resonated with buyers, with strong early sales reflecting both the appeal of the Hutt Street corridor and the lifestyle on offer," Harris said.

"The activated ground-floor retail has also been a key drawcard, with purchasers responding to the vision of a more vibrant and connected streetscape, not just the residences themselves."

One Four Four Hutt will deliver 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of penthouses, above a ground-floor retail offering designed to further activate the Hutt Street precinct.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion anticipated in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151233]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

Fortis makes Adelaide debut with Otello as One Four Four Hutt records strong early sales

Rural

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Stannix Park, one of 20 colonial stone farmhouses in the Hawkesbury Valley, goes to auction tomorrow through Ray White Rural agent Greg Wall.
There are five issued contracts so a competitive auction is expected.
Selena Mazuran, from the FBI Fashion College, was seeking offers over $2.2 million for her colonial stone farmhouse at Wilberforce when it went to mid-2014 auction.
But there are now $1.5 million plus expectations.
The convict-era homestead dates back to the pioneer settler William Hall and his wife, Dinah, who got a 1839 land grant.
Selena Mazuran bought it in 2009 for $1.225 million, then adding 2,300 square metres of adjoining land in 2012.
The 20-hectare lot on plains between Currency and Howes creeks, near NSW's Windsor, now comes with pool, separate studio and stables, and chapel at 103 Stannix Park Lane.
Stannix Park had improvements done, overseen by Stonehill Restorations to plans prepared by Ian Stapleton and Clive Lucas. It has three attic-style bedrooms.
The steep 55-degree pitched roof is of jerkin head design. The coach-house has a keystone dated 1839 with the initials H.H., presumed to be Henry Hall, William Hall's son.
<a href="https://www.raywhite.com/nsw/wilberforce/1215131/" target="_blank">The convict-era homestead</a> dates back to the pioneer settler William Hall and his wife, Dinah, who got a 1839 land grant.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Colonial Stannix Park, Wilberforce for auction tomorrow

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Twin Pines Station, at Taralga 60 kilometres from Goulburn, sold under the hammer late last month for $605,000.
The 48-hectare property was sold by the restaurateur Peter Doyle and his wife, Fiona, given their move to Adelaide to be close to family. 
The Doyle's have been living at the cattle farm after selling their Watsons Bay home.
The farm was purchased in 2001 for $215,000.
It sold through <a href="https://www.eldersrealestate.com.au/rural/buy/property-grazing-nsw-taralga-597969" target="_blank">David Medina of Elders</a>.
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Two Pines Station, Taralga sold under the hammer

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The historic Berrima farm, Mereworth has been sold by the Oxley family, best known as being decendents of the Bushells tea founders.
Locals dread it has been bought by underground coal mining interests in the sensitive Southern Highlands farming country.
Land title searches suggest it may have been bought by interests associated with the encroaching coal mining industry, given the purchasing shelf company is directed by Guy Humble, a Brisbane based lawyer with a strong background in the mining and resources industry.
The purchasing company, set up mid-year, goes by the guiseful name, S.F. Pastoral Holdings.
Mereworth was listed <a href="/news/nsw/french-provincial-southern-highlands-landholding-on-the-market">with $12 million-plus hopes in 2011</a>, with its mid-2014 sale at $11.1 million only now beginning to be formally registered.
The reputed purchase would allow the purchaser to undertake mining related activities, in this case the mooted removal of any coal via conveyor belt to nearby possibly available train tracks.
Locals fear the purchaser is the Korean mining company, POSCO who have the coal exploration lease. Local Southern Highlands resident, the 2GB broadcaster Alan Jones says POSCO ought be regarded as "<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.2gb.com/audioplayer/66211" target="_blank">vandals</a>". 
The 500 hectare Mereworth property ranks among the most intact southern highlands farms, but having been split by the highway there was a restraint on the level of private purchasing interest.
<img class="fullcat" src="https://www.lawsons.com.au/full/772/31126772.jpg" alt="">
Property Observer is aware the same shelf company, S.F. Pastoral Pty Ltd has also purchased two other nearby Berrima properties on the eastern side of the highway, just outside of Berrima last month.
It paid $2,582,000 at the 3651 Old Hume Highway property, Stonington.
It paid $1,859,000 for the holding at 3711 Old Hume Highway.
In June at $12.6 million, Cavalaire Rural Pty Ltd directed by the Korean-born Joon Byun on behalf of POSCO, purchased Evandale, a 800 hectare property owned by the Reid family which abuts the Medway Reservoir that services 8200 residents of Berrima, Bowral and Mittagong and is the emergency water supply for the region. The two important feeder streams for the reservoir, Medway Rivulet and Wells Creek pass through Evandale. Locals say any coal mining in the district could have significant consequences for this water resource.
Solicitor Guy Humble’s known clients include Macarthur Coal, Peabody, QGC, CS Energy and AMCI.
He co-directs the purchasing company, S.F. Rural Holdings with another McCullough Robertson Brisbane lawyer, Peter Stewart.
The Korean steel-maker POSCO was formerly partners with Cockatoo Coal, which sold out of the controversial mining venture, known as Hume Coal in May last year.
The syndicate assumed the exploratory rights from Angelo Coal (Sutton Forrest) Pty Ltd, which had held the mostly dormant lease since 1985.
The coal exploration lease, allowing it to carry out exploration and possibly install a mine heads on properties, runs from the village of Exeter through Sutton Forest to the Belanglo State Forest.
The mining syndicate hit the headlines in 2011 when they emerged as the $8 million buyer of a 425 hectare beef cattle farm, Wongonbra, virtually on the doorstep of actor <a href="/expert-insights/investing/nicole-kidman-now-has-cockatoo-coal-as-her-near-neighbours-after-mining-giant-pays-record-price-for-sutton-forest">Nicole Kidman and singer Keith Urban’s peaceful Sutton Forest retreat, Bunya Hill</a>.
POSCO have supported more than 40 local charities and sporting clubs over the past three years to seek support among local landowners who have been been mostly hostile to their exploration attempts.
After almost 100 years of ownership by the Cowley family, Mereworth was bought by the pioneering tea-merchant family in 1963, nine years after the death at Carthona, Darling Point of Philip Howard Bushell - whose estate was valued for probate at £666,695 - and four years after the death of his widow, Myrtle, who left an estate of £2,558,921.
A vintage tea mixer (photographed above) was among the items sold at its recent Lawsons contents' sale. The antique sale buyers at Mereworth were greeted by greyhounds statues on stands at the front door. Out went the ornate chandeliers, clocks, tapestries and antique rugs, bronzes and garden architecture, important 19th century French Boulle furniture, early portraits dating to the 17th century, antique prints and maps, and French inspired outdoor furniture.  
Mereworth's occupancy dates back to John Atkinson's 1820 settlement. His brother, James, owned the trophy home, Oldbury at Sutton Forest.
The nine-bedroom 1964 sandstone house was designed by architect John Amory, with a French provincial feel.
Its formal lounge room comes with a baronial fireplace and raked ceilings.
Shuttered windows and french doors frame the views of the mature garden, once described by Elwyn Swane as one of the finest by landscaper Paul Sorenson.
The property, with two creeks, 12 dams and seven bores, suits grazing cattle, sheep and horses.
It was described as the best property listing since Reg and Joy Grundy paid $15 million for Comfort Hill, the 200-hectare Sutton Forest property from adman-turned-farmer Michael Ball and his wife, Daria, in 2007.
In late 2011 the secretive tactics by the POSCO Korean coal mining enterprise shocked Michael Ball, when he sold another Southern Highlands property to who he thought was an agricultural company.
Michael Ball found out the farm sold to shelf company Aurelius Rural Pty Ltd, which actually wanted to establish itself on the beef cattle farm for mining purposes. Wongonbra was marketed by estate agents as arguably the best available large rural landholding in the Southern Highlands.
"Well, clearly it's deceitful because they pretended all the way through the negotiations that they were solely interested in farming – cattle farming," Ball said after its sale.
In late 2011, Quentin Dempster on the ABC 7.30 Report noted the secretive practice had made the small community “more determined than ever to stop mining”.
The highlands coal sits underneath a water aquifer.
"No one has a clue of the geology of aquifers,” Ball, in 2011, told The Australian.
“Once fractured, there's no possibility for them to be fixed. You can't mine without fracturing the aquifer."
Peter Martin, the convener of the Southern Highland Coal Action Group, has previously suggested governments were allowing miners to come into some of the best parts of Australia and “ruin them".
The known purchases of the five properties total more than $35 million.
The Southern Highlands has always been closely associated with the English landscape. It was Governor Lachlan Macquarie who noted in 1820 that the district was particularly beautiful and rich, "resembling a fine extensive pleasure ground in England".
<img src="https://www.humecoal.com.au/hume/assets/Image/website-map-20022014.png" alt="" width="820" height="1150">
Elsewhere POSCO is in the Roy Hill joint venture between Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting and Japanese company Marubeni and Taiwan's China Steel Corporation.
They are also partners with Glencore Xstrata and Marubeni in the Ravensworth underground mine in the Hunter Valley which is in the process of being mothballed.
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Coal mining company seemingly snares historic Mereworth, Berrima farm

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The Bunda Station, of the Victoria River District, in the Northern Territory, is being sold for about $15 million through Ruralco Property.
The 178,800-hectare station owned by the Underwood family sits adjacent to the buyer, Consolidated Pastoral Company's Kirkimbie Station.
"We are in the final stages of due diligence and it is under contract," CPC chief executive Troy Setter confirmed to Fairfax Media.
CPC controls 19 properties across Australia's top end covering more than 5.6 million hectares.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-livestock-nt-lajamanu-7664139" target="_blank">Bunda Station</a> was passed in at 2012 Elders auction with just a $10 million vendor bid.
Bunda was offered with 13,500 Brahman and Charbray infused cattle. 
The herd includes 2,000 purebred Brahman bulls and breeders. 
Bunda has been developed with 22 bores.
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NT's Bunda Station sells to Consolidated Pastoral Company

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The London-based private equity investor Terra Firma is considering the partial sale of Australia’s largest privately owned beef producer, Consolidated Pastoral Company.
The decision by Terra Firma to introduce a part-owner for Consolidated Pastoral is thought to signal attempts to increase its capacity for a potential acquisition, possibly Macquarie Pastoral.
It has appointed investment bank Barclays Capital to field recent approaches from Chinese parties, the Australian Financial Review said.
Consolidated Pastoral was bought from the Packer family in 2009 for around $450 million.
It’s believed Terra Firm was considering a partial sale of as much as 40%.
Consolidated Pastoral has a book value of about $700 million.
Owning and operating 19 cattle stations, it has more than 360,000 head of cattle across 5.6 million hectares of land in Australia.
The CPC chief executive Troy Setter said the company had received interest from Indonesia and China.
 
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Chinese and Indonesians get chance to secure Terra Firma Australia pastoral offering

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A surge in tax depreciation schedules requested in a number of regional areas has been noted by tax depreciation company BMT’s managing director Brad Beer.
Beer said that rural and regional locations appear to have attracted strong investment activity over the past financial year.
But where have they been targeting?
<ul>
<li>Port Pirie<a href="/news"></a>, South Australia</li>
</ul>
Topping the list is Port Pirie, where a 169% increase in the number of tax depreciation scheduled was recorded.
<ul>
<li>Riverland, South Australia</li>
</ul>
The wine region recorded a 141% surge in requests for depreciation schedules.
<ul>
<li>New England, New South Wales</li>
</ul>
This area recorded an 89% uptick in schedules requested.
<ul>
<li>Logan City, Queensland</li>
</ul>
This city, a strong investor favourite, recorded a 66% increase, compared to greater Queensland’s 19% uptick.
<ul>
<li>Nowra, New South Wales</li>
</ul>
A 64% increases was achieved by this south coast area.
<ul>
<li>Oven region, Victoria</li>
</ul>
A 58% surge was noted for the Oven region.
<ul>
<li>North-east Tasmania</li>
</ul>
A 46% surge was seen in the north-east of Tasmania, despite greater Tasmania recording no increase.
Interestingly, these increases in individual regional ad rural areas strongly outpaced their respective state-wide averages. The activity growth in South Australia was at 20%, New South Wales saw a 23% surge and Victoria was up 19%.
Beer said that this may be due to the cheaper house prices and higher rental yields available in the rural and regional areas.
“With many capital cities experiencing considerable capital gains over the past few years, some investors appear to be seeking out alternate market segments in order to enter the market faster and at a lower price while still realising a solid return,” he said.
“These locations present a unique opportunity for investors willing to think outside the box and take advantage of regions able to still provide returns but at a much lower cost of entry.”
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

The seven rural and regional areas on investors’ radars: BMT

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Equestrian pursuits are always costly affairs, be it thoroughbred racing, dressage, show jumping, eventing or polo. And pricey ponies were hot topics of conversation during Melbourne’s recent Spring Racing Carnival.
These expensive horse properties always sparked the interest of our property contrarians, Jonathan Chancellor and Margie Blok - particularly after Patinack Farm, the Gold Coast and Hunter Valley horse racing empire headquarters of embattled former mining magnate Nathan Tinkler, <a href="/news/nathan-tinklers-hunter-valley-horse-stud-auction-cancelled">failed to attract a buyer at auction last month</a>.
This week Jonathan and Margie look at two other impressive equine properties on the market.   
HE SAID:<img src="/images/2014/03/28/jc-silhouette-7.jpg" style="float: right;">
I still fancy Yallambee Stud, recognised in the thoroughbred industry as one of Victoria's oldest and most successful bloodstock operations. Set 50 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, the 243 hectare property has been breeding champion thoroughbreds for over five decades.
The vendors are the Woodard family, traditionally beef and sheep pastoralists from Skipton in the Western District of Victoria, who shifted their stud operation in 1986 to the Macedon Ranges region, drawn to its volcanic soils, high rainfall, water and proximity to Melbourne.
It was a sensible move with the equine operations designed to suit thoroughbred breeding, rearing youngsters and racehorse spelling. Yallambee Stud, jointly with neighboring Eliza Park Stud, stand two of Australia's most popular, commercial young stallions - God's Own and Magnus.
Expected to fetch about $7 million, Yallambee Stud (pictured below)<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-mixed+farming-vic-kerrie-7672235" target="_blank"> is listed for sale</a> through Sam Triggs and Jamie Inglis of Inglis Rural Property. 
<img src="/images/2014/11/14/kew%20nov%2014%20one.jpg" alt="">
<img src="/images/2014/03/28/mb-silhouette-6.jpg" style="float: left;">SHE SAID:
Montana Park in Queensland caught my attention due to its huge homestead. Large enough for myself, Jonathan and a host of horsey hangers-on, it is set on 42-hectares of lush land at Maleny - just an hour from the Doomben race track.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-acreage+semi+rural-qld-maleny-105961322" target="_blank">Listed for sale by tender closing December 12</a>, Montan Park (pictured below) is described in its online marketing advertising as “the ultimate horse property without isolation or remoteness…a rare offering in one of Queensland’s most desirable locations”.
Rare indeed – few rural properties have a luxury homestead measuring 1,804 square metres. With views of the Glass House Mountains, this vast abode has umpteen bedrooms and bathrooms including an enormous parents’ retreat with separate his ‘n’ hers marble en suites, a steam room, massage room, opulent dressing rooms and a sitting area overlooks the green rolling hills.
While the Ray White Buderim selling agents, Lew Pottinger and Nathan Nicholl, rave about the “Versace-inspired” style of the main bedroom suite, I would redecorate it for my interior design taste is rather more simplistic. Thank goodness Melissa Penfold is offering e-décor on <a href="https://www.melissapenfold.com" target="_blank">her new website</a> - an online bible of Australia’s best shops and services, making good design accessible to everyone.
Also in the homestead are a feng shui-influenced office/media centre, a cinema room, state-of-the-art kitchen and enormous living, dining and entertainment areas flowing to the garden and resort-style swimming pool. 
But it is the Montana Park horses who are truly pampered in 45 post-and-rail paddocks perfectly positioned around two Olympic-size dressage arenas, a six-horse “ezywalker” and lavish stables.  Horses who prefer music can exercise at night in the covered all-weather arena with designer lighting and an integrated sound system. 
Ideal for dressage workshop clinics, this equine complex also features an amphitheatre and extensive accommodation for riders. Designed to impress international instructors, it has a purpose-built guests suite with a common room, commercial kitchen and large dining area.
Rivalling the homestead in its size and lavish appointments, the stable complex incorporates 10 double-sized broodmare boxes, two stallion boxes, wash bays, a vet room, horse scales, tack room, rug room, feed room (with 1,200 bale capacity and grain silo), plus accommodation and access for large floats and goose neck trailers.
I recall when the stable complex was the showpiece of the previous owners, show jumping couple, David and Pam Courtice, who developed the property from a run-down dairy farm with 100-year-old fencing, pig pens and barbed wire. 
The Courtices’ two-year transformation attracted intense local ‘sticky-beaking’ as mud turned into green paddocks, and impressive timber fencing was erected to define the perimeter of the picture postcard property, known then as Tengarra Park.
The Courtices’ daughter, Sam, was the only professional show jumper in the family. Although, another daughter Chrystal found the Maleny property on the internet after David had been looking for 12 months.
After the property sold to Dean Shannon, and his equine enthusiast wife, Kelly, its name was changed to Montana Park.
If I bought this property I would change the name back to Tengarra Park, and then set up a thoroughbred spelling business given the property has easy road access to racecourses at Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
 <img src="/images/2014/11/14/maleny%20nov%2014%20one.jpg" alt="">
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Equestrian rural property the envy of the nation: He Said/She Said

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Muntham Station, between Coleraine and Casterton, first settled by the Henty family, has been listed for sale by the Oldham family.
It is listed through <a href="https://www.eldersrealestate.com.au/rural/buy/property-grazing-vic-hamilton-595166" target="_blank">Elders</a> agent Shane McIntrye for November 14 expressions of interest.
<a href="https://www.munthamstation.com" target="_blank">The property</a> in the Western District of Victoria, was dubbed by NSW Surveyor General Major Thomas Mitchell as 'Australia Felix' in 1836.
In 1836 Mitchell recommended the Hentys travel inland from Portland to see for themselves and soon after they settled at Muntham and neighbouring Merino Downs and Sandford.
The Henty family had left England several years earlier given poor prospects after the Napoleonic wars persuaded Thomas Henty to sell his Sussex farm and begin a new life with his wife, daughter, seven sons and a flock of Spanish merino sheep.
The family was granted more than 80,000 acres (32,000 hectares) on the Swan River in Western Australia and James Henty, the eldest son, sailed with stock and laborers in 1829. He failed to find good land and sailed to Launceston in 1831 where his mother, sister and four of his brothers including Edward.
Settlement in the Port Phillip District then part of New South Wales was forbidden, but Edward Henty first saw Portland Bay in April 1833 when sailing on his brother's boat, the Thistle, en route to collect whaling oil at Spencer Gulf.
The unauthorised third and last Henty migration landed on 19 November 1834.
The original section of the 1836 homestead remains one of the earliest structures in Victoria, extended in the 1850-60s, and in 1907 a kitchen wing was added. Servants rooms were also built at the rear of the house and at the turn of the twentieth century, a charming schoolhouse was erected to the rear of the main building.
It is now a beautiful, completely charming 6BR home in extensive English style gardens on Muntham Hill overlooking the Wennicot Creek.
The colonial artist Sir Thomas Clark painted the homestead in 1874.
While the original woolshed burnt down in 1920, the red brick barn, thought to have been built in the 1840s, sits at the rear of the homestead. It is believed to be the oldest brick building still standing on a farm in Victoria and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database and by the National Trust of Victoria, who consider it culturally and architecturally significant to Victoria’s heritage.
It was modelled on English farmhouse traditions of the early nineteenth century and is more Georgian in character, typical of Tasmanian buildings of the era. 
Successive owners, the Mackinnon, Ellis, Lobb, Dickinson, Hryckow and Oldham families – have all been worthy custodians.
It now harvests olive oil from its 350-tree grove, as well as produce an enviable Pinot Noir from its boutique vineyard. The farm is currently stocking 300 Angus breeders and calves, 60 retained heifers, 12 bulls, 300 ewes and lambs, and 160 hoggets.
<img src="/images/2014/11/10/muntham%20nov%2010%20one.jpg" alt="">
Picture: Edward HENTY 1809-1878 standing on wool bales at "Muntham" Woolshed, Carapook with some of his workers in the foreground with the original HENTY plough. Source: <a href="https://www.swvic.org/" target="_blank">Glenelg &amp; Wannon Settlers &amp; Settlement</a>.
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Muntham, the pioneering Henty family former Coleraine station listed

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Banoon, Nathan Tinkler's 385-hectare property near Woodend, an hour north-west of Melbourne, has been sold.
With a crowd of 45, four of the five auction bidders participated after it was called onto the market at $2.1 million.
It sold for $2.56 million. The listing agent had been always advising prospective buyers before today's scheduled 2.30pm auction that it was likely to sell for between $2.1 million and $2.3 million.
The 120 Joyces Road, Monegeeta property was marketed by Keatings Real Estate as an "excellent opportunity to secure a rarely available large inner country, very versatile lifestyle property."
At the end of its mature oak tree entrance driveway, there is a rambling five bedroom 1910 weatherboard homestead. The property has Deep Creek frontage.
Its farming Zone (FZ1) come with subdivision potential into minimum lot sizes of 40 hectares (100 acres) subject to council permit.
There were ambitious $5 million hopes for the property on its 2010 listing. Nathan Tinkler over paid when he spent $3.63 million for <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/120-joyces-road-monegeetta/Property-Details-buy-residential-7669580" target="_blank">Banoon</a> in 2008.
Estate agent John Keating told Property Observer he was pleased with the result after a competitive auction.
Banoon was the last of the scheduled offerings in the Tinkler property portfolio, although the only land sale to date.
The ATO <a href="/expert-insights/finance/nathan-tinkler-horse-stud-farm-sales-come-with-ato-mortgages">has an interest in the outcome</a>.
 
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Nathan Tinkler sells Banoon, his Victorian rural property 

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Today's auction of two Hunter Valley properties in the Nathan Tinkler’s Patinack Farm racing empire, has been cancelled.
Richmond Grove in Sandy Hollow (pictured above) and Tremayne in Broke, NSW, <a href="https://www.meares.com.au/property/richmond-grove/gallery/richmond-grove.htm" target="_blank">will now be up for expressions of interest</a>.
“Both of the Thursday auctions have been cancelled, those interested parties will now be tendering for the assets,” an email from Meares and Associates to Fairfax Media advised.
The cancellation comes after Tinkler’s four Canungra properties on Queensland's Gold Coast hinterland were passed in last Thursday.
The stud farm offerings<a href="/expert-insights/finance/nathan-tinkler-horse-stud-farm-sales-come-with-ato-mortgages"> have been much anticipated</a>.
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