HOLIDAY AT HOME

Wealthy international buyers alongside Australian and Tasmanian prestige property lovers sat up and took notice when historic Quamby Estate hit the market.

JARRAD BEVAN

PRESTIGIOUS, historic, unrivalled, the sprawling Quamby Estate at Hagley is all of this and more.

As a destination for a wedding, its function centre and grounds will let dreams come true. And as a fun way to ruin a good walk, the estate also has its own golf course.

Set on 64ha of land just a 20-minute drive from Launceston, this remarkable 10bedroom home has caught the eye of some local and interstate buyers alongside interest from international buyers from America, Asia and Europe.

Knight Frank partner Sam Woolcock said there were two buyer demographics for the property, those with an eye for its events and tourism opportunities and others who see it as a stately, luxurious private residence.

“Given its history dating back to the 1820s, it is one of Australia’s most historic and important homes,” Mr Woolcock said.

“In the past, Quamby was part of a larger farm but it is now about 158 acres.”

Mr Woolcock said there had been a lot of interest in the property from high net worth families looking for a luxury home, a Tasmanian “bolt hole” of sorts.

“Tasmania is on the radar for that type of buyer now considering Covid-19 and our climate, too,” he said.

“Often they are looking for a getaway or weekender and they see Tasmanian property as a good asset to hold.”

Mr Woolcock said the property’s past few owners had all invested in restoring and renovating the home while also developing the golf course and the reception centre.

“The current owners upgraded Quamby into a luxury estate, a boutique hotel with 10 ensuited guest rooms, a function centre, plus there is the nine-hole golf course and a club house.”

The homestead features a flagstone paved veranda that wraps around the residence to the north and the east.

There are two reception rooms with romantic French doors and magnificent fireplaces.

The dining room’s soaring ceilings, handsome floorboards and great proportions inspire ideas for entertaining on a grand scale.

The adjoining snug has a bar and fireplace while the kitchen of commercial capability caters to every modern-day need.

The golf course was developed in the

PRICE: EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST MATERIALS: BRICK, IRON

LAND AREA: 64HA

AGENT: KNIGHT FRANK REFER SAM WOOLCOCK 6333 7888

REALESTATE.COM.AU ID: 136129466 1990s. Its notable eighth hole is the longest in the state at 576m.

Golfers are able to take in views of Ben Lomond and the Great Western Tiers from the course’s elevated position.

It features nine lakes, creeks and challenging “Scottish bunkers”, too.

And its number one membership holder, none other than Sir Richard Branson.

Quamby’s light-filled contemporary function centre offers seating for up to 180 patrons.

The property’s Georgian-era coach house and extensive farm outbuildings illustrate the outstanding flexibility that is on offer here.

Quamby was the home of Sir Richard Dry, the first Australian born state premier and the first Australian recipient of a knighthood.

Sir Dry was the son of a convict and the estate’s first owner of note. He was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1858.

Among his many achievements in serving Tasmania, Sir Dry was a member of the Patriotic Six, a committee of eminent colonial people influential in initiating the cessation of convict transportation to Tasmania. He was also a member of the select committee appointed to draft the Tasmanian Constitution.

Mr Woolcock said Quamby was currently owned by a pair of businessmen, one who lives on the Apple Isle and the other who lives interstate.

“They have decided to release their asset at a time when, I would say, there is extremely high demand for Tasmanian property,” he said.

Brett Godfrey and Rob Sherrard – Virgin

Australia founders – purchased the property about a decade ago.

Mr Sherrard told The Australian that they had fallen “in love with the place”, however, now the time was right to move on.

“We thought it was an opportune time to sell because the business is doing quite well,” he said.

“We’ve done an incredible job with Quamby and it’s at a point where it’s ready for someone to take over.”

Quamby was originally some 300,000 acres and colloquially known as the government house of the north — today it is the epitome of a refined, revered property.