213 School Road Kongorong SA 5291

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST CLOSING THURSDAY 13TH OF NOVEMBER AT 12 NOON (UNLESS SOLD PRIOR).

For Sale as a Whole or in three non-contingent lots.

Tucked away at the end of a long drive, Aberfoyle reveals itself like a secret — a breathtaking sanctuary set on 279.25 acres of rich grazing pastures in Kongorong, just 20 minutes south-west of Mount Gambier.

From its origins as a Soldier-settler dairy farm, evolving into a thriving beef, cattle, and prime lamb operation, the homestead has flourished under three generations of Lightbody family stewardship. Over time, the property became one of the Limestone Coast's most celebrated gardens — where roses climb arbours, paths meander through hidden alcoves, and countless family and community moments have been cherished.

For the first time in a century, Aberfoyle opens its gates to a new custodian — inviting the next chapter of life, laughter, and legacy to unfold across its fertile pastures and storied gardens. Steeped in history, shaped by care, creativity, and a rare sense of freedom, this remarkable estate now invites its next owner to continue its legacy.

A Home with Soul
From the moment you arrive, Aberfoyle feels deeply personal. It has the warmth of a place that has always had its doors open — a home where people dropped in, laughter carried through the rooms, and the kettle was rarely cool. Its spaces evolved organically over time, shaped by family life and the rhythm of country seasons.

Sunlight floods the generous living areas of the four-bed main residence, highlighted by an open-plan, light-filled modern country kitchen with wood floors, framed by picture windows that capture views of lawns and roses. Upstairs additions in more recent times, sweeping verandahs, and garden-view rooms trace the homestead's evolution — not through grand design, but through care, creativity, and the quiet desire to make a house ever more welcoming.

As the family reflects, “It was always just a really good, safe, family home — everyone was welcome. There was always something happening and plenty of memories being made.”

A Garden of Stories
To wander through Aberfoyle's gardens is to step into a storybook of colour, fragrance, and care. What began as a modest country garden slowly grew over generations into one of the region's most admired open gardens — a place that brought joy to thousands. Roses became its signature — climbing over arbours, filling long borders, and scenting the summer air.

As the family shares, “The gardens just kept growing — fences came down, lawns stretched further, and it became a passion, a masterpiece.”

Paths meander past ponds sheltered by large canopy trees, each space revealing a new vignette of charm. Once opened to the public for charity and community events, these gardens have hosted weddings, fundraisers, and gatherings that became local legends. Yet through all their splendour, they remain a deeply personal retreat — a sanctuary that nurtures as much as it impresses.

Creativity and Care
Aberfoyle's spirit of ingenuity runs deep. Around every corner, you'll find thoughtful re-use — recycled timbers, salvaged gates, and handmade features that tell a story of practicality and imagination. The back paddock once brimmed with vegetables of extraordinary size — a quiet testament to the care and creativity that defined life at Aberfoyle.

That blend of artistry and stewardship still defines the property today. Historic features sit comfortably alongside modern conveniences, creating a sense of place that feels both refined and real.

Modern Country Living
While Aberfoyle retains its original charm, it has been lovingly maintained and thoughtfully updated for modern country living. Expansive open-plan spaces, large picture windows, and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor areas make it ideal for entertaining or quiet reflection.

The residence balances heritage and comfort beautifully, the warmth of timber and stone complemented by light-filled living zones that frame views of the gardens from every angle. Each space feels purposeful and inviting, designed for family gatherings, long lunches, and evenings by the fire.

The original dairy, transformed into a self-contained guest retreat, is a peaceful space that captures the romance of rural life. It's ideally suited to visitors, boutique accommodation, or short-stay rental potential. Beyond the primary residence, a historic tennis court and a suite of working sheds add both charm and practicality, ensuring the estate functions as elegantly as it looks.

As the family notes, “You drive down that long driveway and suddenly it just opens up — it's a bit of a wow moment. You don't expect to find a place like this tucked away; it's like a hidden oasis.”

Sustainability and Potential
With an 8,520-kL irrigation licence, fertile soils, and self-sufficient water systems, Aberfoyle is as practical as it is picturesque.

This is land that works — productive, sustainable, and adaptable to a wide range of future uses set across three titles, including a 37-acre Limestone Quarry with a working mining lease. Its scale and infrastructure create opportunities for those seeking to blend lifestyle and enterprise, from boutique grazing or horticulture to agriculture or eco-tourism.

For those with vision, Aberfoyle offers the chance to build on an extraordinary foundation. Whether re-imagined as a luxury retreat, a multi-generational estate, or a landmark venue for weddings and events, its possibilities are as expansive as its landscape.

The property is equipped with electric fencing, a hay shed, and a three-stand shearing shed with adjoining sheep yards, offering versatility for livestock and farm management. Two equipped bores — one with a solar pump and poly tank on Lot 22, and another servicing the home and remaining paddocks — provide ample stock and garden water, complemented by a comprehensive watering system throughout the gardens and rainwater supply to the residence. Additional improvements include cattle yards with loading ramp, and a disused herringbone dairy cleverly repurposed into a workshop and storage space and numerous additional sheds and outbuildings — a charming nod to the property's rural heritage.

A Place of Freedom
For three generations, Aberfoyle represented freedom — the kind of childhood spent outdoors from dawn to dusk, building cubbies, climbing trees, and finding adventure around every bend of the garden path. It was a place that grounded people while letting their imagination roam.

As the family fondly recalls, “It was an anchor — a place that gave you freedom to grow up and choose your own adventures.”

That same spirit remains tangible today. There's space here to breathe, to create, and to restore. Aberfoyle isn't just a home; it's an environment that inspires curiosity and contentment in equal measure.

A Rare Offering
Properties like Aberfoyle come along once in a lifetime — and in this case, quite literally. After a century of dedicated care by three generations of the Lightbody family, this remarkable estate is being offered to the market for the first time in its esteemed history.

Aberfoyle represents more than land and architecture; it carries a spirit of generosity, creativity, and belonging that has defined its history. Aberfoyle has been a home, a haven, and a gathering place. It's a property that reflects the best of country living: authenticity, connection, and quiet grandeur.

This is an opportunity to become the next custodian of an extraordinary legacy — to live among gardens shaped by time and love, to wake to birdsong and the scent of roses, and to write the next chapter of an agricultural story still unfolding.

Inspection is highly recommended — but be warned: this property will steal your heart!

In conjunction with Ray White Mount Gambier.

EXTRA INFORMATION
Council Rates / $5,823.80 p/a
Emergency Services Levy / $373.55 p/a
Land Size / 279.25 ac
Council / District Council of Grant
Zoning / Rural

Disclaimer:
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