A custom-built home positioned on a mountaintop 20 minutes from Wollombi village has hit the market for the first time.
Listed for sale via expressions of interest with Garry Musgrove at Musgrove Realty, the one-of-a-kind property at 213 Middle Ridge Road, Wollombi has a guide of $3.2 million to $3.5 million.
Set on 20 hectares, the property includes a large residence with five bedrooms and three bedrooms, as well as two dams and landscaped gardens surrounded by bushland.
Owner Sandy McIntyre built a cottage on the block in 1985 and, over time, it grew bigger.
"The block was thick bushland and we built a little house on the hill," Mrs McIntyre said.
"We have extended it six times and now it is what it is. It is going to be very hard to leave it."
The buildings are constructed of timber sourced from the property and feature throughout the home, including the polished slabs used in the kitchen and bathrooms.
"It is all made out of Queensland blackbutt slabs of timber all running horizontal, not vertical," she said.
"A lot of slabs of timber were cut off this property. We got a mobile mill with its operators to come and cut all these slabs that are polished and used on the benchtops."
Sandstone is another major feature throughout the garden and home, including the fireplace and a three-storey wall that runs the length of one side of the home, which was sourced locally and crafted by a local stone mason.
The home also runs completely off the grid with an extensive upgraded solar power system and several rainwater tanks on the property.
Located in the Wollombi Valley, the property offers absolute privacy set on the ridge line with views over the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys.
The residence is set out across two wings, with the main including a large living space with a sandstone feature fireplace and high ceilings with mezzanines on two sides.
"My ex-husband had a wonderful vision and most of it was his idea," she said.
"We physically built a lot of it ourselves in the beginning with a builder.
"It grew bigger because we realised that having people sleeping in sleeping bags on the living room floor wasn't ideal so we added on to the house."
Adjoining the living space is a light-filled sunroom with views across the gardens.
The Oregon timber kitchen includes an oversized Falcon gas stove, butcher's block island bench and a butler's pantry with a second sink and extra storage.
A large separate dining room embraces the northern aspect with access to the large undercover verandah.
The country-style main bathroom features a clawfoot bath and brass tapware, while the lower level of the main wing houses the master suite which feaures a grand stone feature wall, ensuite, walk-in-robe, private balcony and a sitting area.
The upper level of the main wing includes another large bedroom with built-in storage and a private balcony as well as a loft that could double as a fifth bedroom.
Nearby is the guest wing which includes a large space (once a billiard room but now used as a gym) and a loft area.
There is also a bathroom, guest bedroom and a large home office.
"There are so many parts to it. You try to run yourself through the floorplan and there are just so many areas to explore," Mr Musgrove said.
"You have the atrium-type room which is absolutely stunning. It has a glass ceiling with shade cloths and it overlooks the gardens.
"Properties that have been built quite some time ago weren't as restricted as much as they are now so they could go a little wild with their creativity."
A large farm shed is set away from the house with a carport on one side, and a separate smaller garage with a workshop and single carport is also nearby.
The landscaped gardens include an extensive vegetable garden, fruit orchard, native shrubs and country cottage varieties.
"The gardens themselves are like something out of the Gardens of Eden," Mr Musgrove said.
"You meander through the gardens and it takes you to another place.
"Sandy has some beautiful sculptures which are set amongst the gardens that she has bought from Wollombi Sculpture Festival, to name one."
Multiple paddock areas are ideal for livestock with a timber farm shed/shelter.
An olive grove, planted by Mrs McIntyre in 1997, is situated near the house in a separate fenced paddock.
Mrs McIntyre said there is much to love about the property.
"My favourite features are the main bedroom and the fireplace," she aid.
"I just love the location and the privacy, and the bird life. The views are incredible - it's pretty spectacular looking toward the mountains.
"We get the beautiful four seasons up here, which is what I love.
"The fog hangs in the valleys below us and I don't get frost up here. It's above the frost line which is great for gardeners like myself."
