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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The Chase, the historic trophy property at Sutton Forest, has been bought for $5.8 million by the Malaysian horse racing tycoon Teo Ah Khing.
The five-bedroom 1880s house with a reception hall, formal sitting room and dining room, billiard room and living room is on 40 hectares in the NSW Southern Highlands.
Surrounded by sweeping lawns, hedged and walled gardens and exotic trees, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-nsw-sutton+forest-7594107" target="_blank">The Chase</a> homestead comes with a cottage, stables, barn and cattle yards as well as a pool and tennis court.
The restored and extended house comes with 3.35-metre-high Wunderlich ceilings.
It has 600 square metres of internal living space after extensions in the early 1980s. 
Teo Ah Khing, who linked up with Coolmore to spend $2 million-plus on yearlings by Fastnet Rock for the China Horse Club, was the big new comer at the 2013 Easter Inglis yearling sales..
It was sold by John Starr, a real estate franchise tsar of Sydney's western suburbs, through Bill Carpenter from W. Mcl. Carpenter and Associates earlier this year with the buyer details recently revealed on settlement. John Starr had bought it for $5.25 million from the retired Compaq executive Ian Penman, turned listed property website chief executive, and his wife, Ayesha.
The Penman's had bought it from insurance industry operative Rob Porter in 1996 for $2.6 million.
It had sold at $2.55 million in 1991.
John Starr, who has downsized to a smaller property in the area, sold it to a company associated with the Teo family, who have plans to use the estate’s stables, yards and barn to raise broodmares on the farm.
Teo heads <a href="https://www.desertstarholdings.com" target="_blank">Desert Star</a>, the parent company of the China Horse Club whose horse, Zululand became the first group winner for The China Horse Club in Australia in its second year of racing in the region with the win in the G2 VRC Sires Produce Stakes (1400 metres) at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne in March.
Teo Ah Khing has a design consultancy TAK Design Consultants which fulfilled the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, by designing and completing the iconic Meydan Racecourse for the 2010 Dubai World Cup. 
It has made its presence felt in the global equine affairs with another landmark project – Tianjin Equine Culture City (TECC) – in China. The CHC Clubhouse won the 5-star award in the International Property Awards for Asia Pacific Region in May last year.
Teo has also brought together the global leaders of horse racing in France and Ireland, as partners to re-introduce the sport of horseracing in China. 
Another significant Southern Highlands equine property Belle Cheval, previously known as Longview at Wildes Meadow, remains listed for sale. 
Dellarose Swanson-Baevski has a $4.5 million asking price on <a href="https://www.andrewhearn.com.au/listings/residential-129854-lifestyle/" target="_blank">the 30-hectare Wildes Meadow holding</a>. It's one of the best-equipped equestrian properties in the Highlands, with an eight-bay stable, heated feed room and a floodlit outdoor dressage arena. It was initially listed with $5 million hopes. It was bought in 2007 for $4.45 million by Dellarose Swanson-Baevski who has since secured the property fully from Michael Baevski, with its now-demolished 800 square metre house built by Ayesha Penman.
It was then known as Longview, the flagship development for the Penman's development company Vistatop, designed as the sister property for The Chase in Sutton Forest, by Ayesha Penman and husband Ian, who had established Compaq in Australia and New Zealand.
The five-bedroom house with a separate billiard pavilion is on a 30-hectare property had been bought from green thumb Don Burke in 2003.
Its being marketed by Andrew Hearn as "arguably the most panoramic uninterrupted views in the Southern Highlands extend from this incredible horse property in Wildes Meadow."
"The horse facilities are fabulous with irrigated and floodlit 70 metres x 30 metres dressage arena with soil-tex fabric and sand surface.
"There are 23 Day yards all post and rail with auto waterers, and divided by laneway system. 
"There is a eight bay stable complex with adjustable walls to suit the size and needs of the horse, a magnificent tack and wash house with ruba-roc surface throughout heated rug and tack rooms as well as another kitchen and laundry area for those colder highlands mornings," Andrew Hearn's marketing says.
There is also a fully equipped level jump area.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Malaysian tycoon Teo Ah Khing - from China Horse Club - snaps up historic The Chase at Sutton Forest

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Retired international soccer player Jason Culina and his wife Terri have sold their 202-year-old colonial mansion, Denham Court with plans to move closer to her interior design business in the city.
<a href="/news/socceroo-jason-culina-scores-1-3-million-colonial-western-sydney-mansion">The couple bought the 2.42 hectare Ingleburn property for $1.2 million</a> from Dr Keith Okey in August 2012 with subsequent renovations and improvements undertaken. 
Auctioneer Damien Cooley from Cooley Auctions secured $1,725,000 which despite eight registered bidders, was a tad under the price guidance given buyer concerns Campbelltown Road will be expanded and cut its curtiliage. 
Bidding opened at $1.5 million on the stately significant Georgian homestead, which has had just four owners in 200 years. Built between 1812 and 1833, the substantial residence was designed by renowned Australian architect, John Verge for Captain Richard Brooks. 
It sits amid manicured grounds with rolling lawns, a pool, pool house and a tennis court, an historic semi-rural property just 45 minutes from the Sydney CBD. 
Extensively restored,<a href="https://ballardexclusiveproperty.com.au/denhamcourtof238campbelltown" target="_blank"> the five bedroom National Trust-listed residence on Campbelltown Road sold </a>through Ballard Property Group agents Bill Bridges and Clint Ballard.
It comes with with ballroom, library, formal lounge and dining rooms, tennis court and a coach house.
The late Dr Keith Okey, who died in late 2012, shared the home with his wife, Patricia, and four sons, having furnished it with a magnificent colonial collection of pre-1830s antique pieces, many made of Australian cedar.
The antique collection - considered one of Australia's finest - was sold by Sotheby's, realising more than $2 million in 2010.
The nearby suburb of Denham Court is named after the sold property.
His career onfield finished in February last year after departing Sydney FC following a disagreement at training with coach Frank Farina.
He was a Socceroo stalwart for six years. 
Other semi-rural property in Sydney's west to sell recently include Amanpuri, previously known as Restella, one of the great estates in the west of Sydney, which fetched $5.6 million.
The three hectare property <a href="/news/amanpuri-one-of-the-great-estates-of-west-sydney-sells-for-5-6-million">at 269 Cobbitty Rd, Cobbitty</a> (pictured below) had been listed for sale for $7 million in late 2012.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/04/14/cobitty-feb-18-breakout.jpg" alt="">
Terri Culina runs <a href="https://www.eightyspaces.com.au" target="_blank">Eighty Spaces</a>, her home staging and interior design business.
"The before and afters are unrecognisable," Terri advised on her website on the Denham Court project.
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Retired Socceroo Jason Culina sells semi-rural Georgian Denham Court homestead

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Thoroughbred horse enthusiasts, who missed out on buying their preferred pony at this week’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, could invest in a stud farm instead. 
This week our property contrarians, Jonathan Chancellor and Margie Blok, discuss recent sales and new property listings in the equine world.  
<ul>
<li>Tyreel Stud, a magnificent thoroughbred complex at Agnes Banks, traded for $5.85 million in February through Jamie Inglis of Inglis Rural Property. </li>
</ul>
In a premium position on the banks of the Hawkesbury/Nepean River and near Richmond at the foot of the Blue Mountains, the 41-hectare property has extensive equine facilities including 12 large paddocks, 20 day yards, 3 barns, 25 stables, wash bays, feed rooms, a veterinarian room, lunging area and horse walker workshop. 
Also on the estate are a stately circa 1880 main homestead with beautiful views to the Blue Mountains, a manager’s residence, staff cottages and workman’s residence. With an abundance of water including a 163 Mega litre water licence, the entire stud farm is fully irrigated and virtually drought proof.
<ul>
<li>Last month Cadman Lodge, at Mount Hunter near Narrellan on the outskirts of Sydney, sold for $3.05 million through McGrath Camden agents Luke Manion and Anna Younan. Situated one hour’s drive west of Sydney, the 41-hectare Spring Creek Road estate is close to Camden and Menangle. </li>
</ul>
Cadman Lodge’s  tree-lined driveway leading to an impressive main stable complex (with 19 stables), a horse arena, six day yards, a 600-metre horse training track and two substantial modern residences including a grand five-bedroom homestead set in established gardens with a 12-metre swimming pool.
Considering a yearling colt (by Street Cry out of Star on High) sold for $1.5 million at the Inglis sale on Wednesday, the price of Cadman Lodge seems small biscuits. 
<ul>
<li>Also close to Sydney is Boscobel Stud, the historic Southern Highlands thoroughbred farm listed for sale through Bowral agent, Ian Rayner. </li>
</ul>
Occupying 48.5 hectares on Exeter Road at Sutton Forest, Boscobel has significant horse infrastructure including nine horse boxes, a tack room, stallion shed, hayshed, silo and shelter sheds. 
A feature of the property is its grand two-storey circa 1870s homestead with six bedrooms, beautiful formal living rooms and magnificent original period features including 3.6 metre high ceilings, cedar joinery and a cedar staircase. 
Boscobel last traded for $5.5 million in 2007 when Steven Hallis bought it from Richard Turnley. During the 1960s, when Boscobel was owned by Keith Probert, the property stood a number of prominent sires including triple Derby winner Royal Sovereign. Among superior thoroughbreds raised at Boscobel was Tierce, winner of the 1991 Golden Slipper. 
<ul>
<li>
In Victoria, Yallambee Stud is listed for sale through Mark Webster and Jamie Inglis of Inglis Rural Property. One of Victoria’s oldest and most successful thoroughbred stud farms, it occupies 137.5 hectares on Mt Eliza Road at Kerrie.
</li>
</ul>
A first class breeding and spelling operation, Yallambee Stud is a highly competitive player in the Victorian breeding industry. It produces exceptional yearlings, and consistently rates in the top five vendors at the Melbourne Sales. Among the notable racehorses raised at Yallambee Stud are Testafiable, Vintedge, Vormista, Rostova and Rock Kingdom.
Featuring expansive grounds with beautiful deciduous trees, the property has 10 super-size stables, steel barns (with 28 boxes), six foaling boxes, a horse parade, sand yard, an eight-horse walker, numerous large paddocks, sheds, barns, feed rooms, a veterinary complex, a recently built homestead and two staff cottages.
Occupying ideal country for equine operations, Yallambee Stud has been designed to suit thoroughbred breeding, rearing youngsters and racehorse spelling. Apart from its extensive infrastructure, magnificent views, lush paddocks and beautiful deciduous trees planted by the Woodward family, this well established thoroughbred property appeals to me due to the convenience of its location, just 50 kilometres from Melbourne city centre and 30 minutes drive from Tullamarine Airport.
<ul>
<li>
There is also Northwood Farm, a stud surely for the making given it's in Victoria’s thoroughbred horse breeding heartland with the key appeal of a direct frontage to the Goulburn River at Northwood. The 55 hectare Northwood Farm at 60 Johnsons Lane has been listed for May 24 auction through agent Bart O'Sullivan at Pat Rice &amp; Hawkins with expectations around $2 million.
</li>
</ul>
Northwood Farm, which has been a cattle grazing property, has its immediate neighbour, Eliza Park Northwood one of the breeding properties of the Eliza Park group owned by Hong Kong based Sun International while just a short distance away is Darley Stud that has recently undergone a major development by the Al Maktoum family, the ruling family of Dubai.
A little further north on the same side of Northwood Road are to be found the further acclaimed thoroughbred studs and breeding farms including Yarran and the major Swettenham Stud.
Its impressive stone and timber homestead was designed by French architect Claudine Dublier with granite stone sourced locally from Oak Valley in the nearby Strathbogie Ranges for the vendors Tony and Cathy Blazey who selected the land when it was just vacant farm land in 2000. 
<ul>
<li>
Bhima Stud, at Scone in the Upper Hunter Valley, is for sale at $5.8 million <a href="https://www.maccalluminglis.com.au/properties.php?id=5800662" target="_blank">through Michael Burke of MacCallum Inglis</a>.  A prominent thoroughbred breeding farm, Bhima was developed into a renowned horse property after World War II by Vivian Bath. 
</li>
</ul>
On the town’s outskirts, and conveniently situated near Scone Race Club, Scone Vet surgery and Scone Air Strip, Bhima occupies 160.5 hectares of prime Upper Hunter horse country, ranging from extensive alluvial flats to moderate easterly facing basalt slopes - the perfect land mix for breeding and rearing thoroughbred horses. 
Bhima has a full complement of stud improvements including an 18-box stable barn (with central quadrangle and parading pathway), a 10-horse electric horse walker (undercover), a covered round yard (with adjacent yards), a six-box vet hospital (with underground heating and elevated night watch office), two vet areas, and two separate three-box stable barns formerly used as stallion boxes.
The property has excellent water with a 400 megalitre irrigation licence from two reliable wells, and frontage to the Kingdon Ponds and Middle Brook.
Its showpiece is an historic circa 1910 homestead with 4.8 metre high pressed metal ceilings, a grand entrance hallway, four bedrooms, gracious living and dining rooms and a separate guest quarters. Other improvements include weatherboard manager’s house, a three-bedroom Hardiplank home and transportable quarters for seasonal workers.
HE SAID:<img src="/images/2014/03/28/jc-silhouette-7.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
If I were a horse enthusiast, I’d snap up <a href="https://www.prh.com.au/property-details?listing_id=1333" target="_blank">Northwood Farm</a> (pictured below). Surely the neighbours will be good for more than a cup of sugar once you secure the offering and pop in on the neighbours.
<img src="/images/2014/04/11/PRH%20NORTHEWOOD%20FARM.jpg" alt="">
<img src="/images/2014/03/28/mb-silhouette-6.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">SHE SAID: 
With a proven track record for breeding top quality bloodstock, it’s Bhima (pictured below) for me.
When it comes to thoroughbreds, I’m a traditionalist with a soft spot for the Upper Hunter which has developed into a mature and internationally acclaimed thoroughbred breeding region, since I first visited Bhima during the early 1970s when Vivian Bath stood the stallion, Biscay – sire of Bletchingly whose progeny include Kingston Town (named Australia’s champion racehorse in 1980), Emancipation and Canny Lad who sired the celebrated broodmare, Shantha’s Choice, dam of leading sires Redoute's Choice and Manhattan Rain.
Apart from its suitability for thoroughbreds, Bhima’s history appeals to me. It had been a dairy, tobacco farm and cattle property before the World War II, and during the war years it was used as an internment camp before Vivian Bath developed it as a horse property which has also been in wise hands of late, the White family.
<img src="/images/2014/04/11/scone_0002_3.jpg.jpg" alt="">
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Giddyup: Thoroughbred stud farm sales and listings in the equine world

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The online rural homestead auction trend continues. Rossiville Homestead, which was part of the land grant to Captain Francis Rossi in 1826 at Goulburn, has been listed for online auction.
The 1826 stone homestead sits within a private, old world garden with tennis court and in-ground pool on 170 acres. More than $2.3 million is tipped.
The homestead at 157 Range Road is enhanced is to the sandstone two storey coach house.
Rossiville was established by Captain Francis Nicholas Rossi, from a noble Corsican family, in 1826, when he received a grant of 2,560 acres from Governor Darling for his services to the state after a successful term as police superintendent of New South Wales.
Francis Nicholas Rossi died at Rossiville age 75 years in 1851 and was succeeded by his eldest son Count Francis Rossi who took over the estate with his main interest the breeding of racehorses. In 1890 the government purchased Rossiville for the purpose of establishing a hospital, after which it was utilised by the Department of Agriculture in 1908. 
There's also a sandstone grooms’ quarters, Olympic size arena and significant farm shedding and stabling.
It comes with hectares of gently undulating, fertile country with two kilometres of frontage to the Wollondilly River with an approved two lot subdivision.
"As one of Goulburn’s original properties Rossiville Homestead offers a genuine opportunity to acquire a portion of the district’s heritage, the marketing says.
Bidding starts at <a href="https://www.saleezy.com.au/property.aspx?id=111105" target="_blank">www.saleesy.com.au</a> on April 29 with bidding to close May 7, 2014 at 11.00am through Allan McDonald at Professionals Goulburn in conjunction with Carpenters.
A neighbouring property with modern home on 40 acres has also been listed for sale with $480,000 plus hopes.
Last month <a href="/expert-insights/buying/colonial-kippilaw-near-goulburn-sells-for-4-2-million-in-pioneering-online-auction">Kippilaw, the colonial Breadalbane homestead outside of Goulburn</a>, was sold for $4.2 million via online auction.
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Rossiville, the 1826 pioneering Goulburn homestead, joins the online auction trend

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In the Southern Highlands, sales activity for low to medium priced properties has remained steady for the past five years, while the top price bracket has been sluggish. But a recent spate of multi-million dollar property sales indicates renewed interest in the area’s prestige market.
This week our property contrarians Jonathan Chancellor and Margie Blok discuss top-end properties in the region, rich with lush rolling hills of farmland, grand mansions, historic villages – all accessed by a 90 minutes drive from Sydney via the M5 Motorway. 
A flow-on effect of Sydney’s robust property market is expected to filter through to the Southern Highlands during autumn, given the prestige market of this rural lifestyle area traditionally rides on the city’s coat tails and roughly 75% of buyers are Sydneysiders.
<ul>
<li>
The latest arrival is the Sydney based car dealer, John Newell. He's secured the 4.85 hectare Exeter estate, Chimneys for around $4.5 million. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-acreage+semi+rural-nsw-exeter-116030575" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">The Bundanoon Road property</a> (pictured above) sold through Margaret McCauley Real Estate in conjunction with Ray White agent, Megan Smith. 
</li>
</ul>
Chimneys is an architecturally designed 2009 built residence. Its library and formal living area each come with an open fireplace. There's internal access to an attached barn with a requisite mud room as well as a five-car garage. And basement cellar which was commissioned by businessman Brian Wood who built the two-storey residence as a weekender.
Originally part of neighbouring Invergowrie estate, the property has three other dwellings named The Gate House (the original gatehouse to Invergowrie), The Cottage (a worker’s cottage for Invergowrie) and The Tea House, once used as tea rooms for garden society open days at Invergowrie.
<ul>
<li>Luggie Bank, an 8.7 hectare property on Range Road at Mittagong, went very close recently to sell for just under $4 million through Bill Carpenter in conjunction with Drew Lindsay Real Estate, but remains listed for sale.</li>
</ul>
It has been for sale for more than four years – initially listed with ambitious $7 million price hopes. With beautiful elevated rural views, Luggie Bank has an architect-designed contemporary residence, along with an 1887 four-bedroom guest cottage, a tennis court, heated swimming pool and spa.
<ul>
<li>But Patchway, Ken and Lyn Wilson’s trophy residence at Burradoo, has been sold. Apparently about $4.2 million was paid by the former Hambros Australia chairman Ed Blackadder, through agent Drew Lindsay Real Estate. </li>
</ul>
Set behind tall gates on an 8,327 square metre block in Ranelgah Road, the four-bedroom house stands in established gardens with sweeping lawns, tall hedges and towering trees. Patchway was sold by the Wilson family, who owned a steel fabrication business that provided steel for the Sydney Olympic Stadium. They moved to Patchway after they sold Clifton, their rural property in the Lachlan Valley at Young in central NSW, paying $3.03 million in 2002 to the then vendors Dan and Toni Regan.
HE SAID: <img src="/images/2014/03/28/jc-silhouette-7.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
My favourite trophy autumn listing is <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-nsw-bowral-7619543" target="_blank">Woodhurst Green, the Glenquarry retreat</a> of retired Mallesons lawyer Tim Blue, who was managing partner for corporate M&amp;A and tax. In a blue ribbon location on Sproules Lane, the 16.2 hectare property (featured below) is for sale at $4.95 million through Drew Lindsay Real Estate.
Woodhurst Green features all the hallmarks of a prestige Southern Highland estate including an impressive electronically operated gated entrance, a private lake (with water coloured by vegetable dye to match the surrounding grass), extensive landscaped gardens, a horse stables and a grand five-bedroom limestone house with imposing open fireplaces, a wine cellar, a billiard room and a mud room. And of course a huge country kitchen with an enormous Aga stove. 
<img src="/images/2014/04/04/bowral%20april%204%20one.jpg" alt="">
<img src="/images/2014/03/28/mb-silhouette-6.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">SHE SAID:
Certain to attract attention from cashed up city slickers - and possibly the nascent trend of Asian buyer interest - is <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-nsw-mittagong-7605751" target="_blank">Chain of Ponds at Mittagong</a> (pictured below). Its is the matrimonial farm of businessman Peter Holmes à Court and his former wife, Divonne, who now lives in Saanen, Switzerland where the children are schooled.
With the wonderful autumn rains, Chain of Ponds presents picture perfect. The property is currently run as a beef breeding and fattening property on a large scale for the Southern Highlands but could easily be transformed into a high class horse stud. Get some advice from the near new neighbours, the Waterhouse clan on that. 
It is set for April 26 auction with $6.3 million plus hopes through McGrath Bowral agent Anne Stone and Howard McMillan from McMillan Real Estate Bowral. It's close to the freeway of course.
Occupying 145 hectares on Old South Road, the property has a six-bedroom residence renovated by Luigi Rosselli Architects. It is set in extensive gardens designed by landscape luminary William Dangar. At the western edge of the house paddock, he planted acacias, hakeas and eucalypts all species endemic to the local area to form a screen for privacy and wind relief. In the remaining acres of the external garden, Dangar planted stands of cold climate exotics including ornamental cherries, poplars, maples and ornamental pears to compliment the deciduous trees in the existing orchard. 
With potential for subdivision into three separate lots, Chain of Ponds is six kilometres from Mittagong and 11 kilometres from Bowral. The property has a guest cottage, another essential given you don't want the steady stream of visitors staying under the same roof. Guests will love the chook sculpture in the gardens, which I hope come with the sale.
<img src="/images/2014/04/04/mittagong%20april%204%20one.jpg" alt="">
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Gardens, mudrooms, grand gates, private lakes and fire places: Southern Highlands trophy home requisites

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Lazy K, with its replica of the ancient landmark Stonehenge, has been listed with a $5 million asking price in Western Australia’s Esperance.
Kim and Jillian Beale added the landmark in 2010 to their 430 hectare property.
The stones were quarried just across the road from the property.
The part-time celebrant and semi-retired farmers are set to become grey nomads, so the tourist attraction which has been seen by more than 25,000 visitors, has been listed for sale.
There are reportedly 66 replicas across the world of the original Stonehenge located on Salisbury Plain, England which draws more than a million visitors annually in England.
The Esperance monument used 1,200 cubic metres of Desert Brown granite in the 137 granite standing stones. The largest stones are 7 metres high and weigh around 58 tons.
<a href="https://www.eldersrealestate.com.au/office/esperance/rural/buy/property-grazing-wa-esperance-557423" target="_blank">Rob Johnstone of Elders has the listing</a>.
It comes with modern homestead is situated on the old coastal escarpment, with views to the ocean, Nature Park below, and the township of Esperance to the west.
Around 400 breeder cattle are carried on the property.
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Esperance WA's Stonehenge replica for sale

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Ballarat's Lal Lal Estate, a 2,000-hectare merino wool property owned by the Fisken family for six generations, is being sold to the Chinese wool buying company, Tianyu.
The 168-year-old property, east of Ballarat, comes with 100 year old Edwardian homestead and granite stables built in 1858.
Tianyu was credited in 2009 as having the largest plant in China with annual wool scouring capacity of 27,000 tons and annual production of 12,000 tons of Australian wool tops. 
It's been sold by Geoff Fisken, the Wool Producers Australia (WPA) president.
Six generations ago Archibald Fisken was eleven when he arrived in Victoria from Scotland with his parents and uncle and aunt in the 1830s. Young Archibald’s father, also Archibald, brought a prefabricated iron house and 40 casks of oatmeal with him. He built the house at the top of Lonsdale Street. Archibald’s uncle, Peter Inglis, didn’t stay in Melbourne instead choosing to settle on a property he called Ingliston at Ballan on the Werribee River.
 Young Archibald went to live with his uncle and aunt and was tutored on the property. At the age of 19 Archibald was put in charge of the property which stretched all the way to Ballarat with what would become the Lal Lal property forming part of it. Archibald was thirty before he married, a sixteen year old named Charlotte McNamara from Sydney. A competent farmer by now his uncle gave him Lal Lal providing he never put his name on a promissory note. They lived in a small stone house on a lower section of the property.  Archibald and Charlotte had a son they called Archibald James who also worked on the property. 
<a href="https://www.ballarat.com/lal-lal-estate/index.htm" target="_blank">The family website</a> shows he married May Wanliss and it was Archibald James and May who built the present homestead in 1911.
Lal Lal is an Aboriginal name for water.
They had one child who was called Archibald Clyde Wanliss Fisken. He married Elspeth Cameron from Tasmania and they had four children, the first being name Archibald John. Archibald Clyde was educated at Geelong Grammar, then went to England and joined the Royal Artillery in World War I and awarded a Military Cross for bravery in France. He became the federal member for Ballarat and served one term. He was chairman of the Australian Meat Board for 10 years, served on Buninyong Shire Council and died in 1970 Archibald John met Patricia Falkiner and married in Melbourne in 1951 and lived at Lal Lal, they had four children David, Rena, Geoff and Anita. John managed the property until his death in 1989.  John and Patricia’s son Geoff now runs the Yendon property. He has been the Wool Producers Australia (WPA) president. The property runs cattle and 13,000 merino sheep and grows cereal and oilseed crops. Lal Lal Estate was also available for functions, conferences,media advertising, location photographic shoots and car rallies.
Tianyu’s Australian head of operations Peter Carey confirmed the company’s purchase to the local paper this week.
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Ballarat's Lal Lal Edwardian homestead estate sold to Chinese wool buyers, Tianyu

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Investors are being offered a rare opportunity to acquire an award winning Australian winery in the Hunter Valley region - the prestigious James Estate Wines. 
The fully integrated vineyard and winemaking operation produces a range of premium red, white, sweet and fortified wines. 
Up for sale is a vineyard, winery and cellar door operation on 575 hectares in the upper Hunter Valley and a winery and cellar door operation of 43.6 hectares in Pokolbin, in the heart of the Hunter Valley.
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