Smart Buyers Will Flock to Stunning “Springfield"

A rare and valuable gem enters the market

1679 Stockinbingal Road, Cootamundra NSW - Springfield

It’s always an exciting event when a historic rural estate hits the market, but when that property comes with over 2000 acres of highly productive farming land, it’s fair to say that you’re looking at an exceptional opportunity.

Meticulously maintained and managed with both care and expertise for generations, “Springfield” is a gem of a property located just outside Cootamundra in NSW’s fertile South West Slopes region. Held by the family since 1900, “Springfield” is now on the market through Miller & James Real Estate, making this literally a once in a century opportunity.

Spacious, graceful and beautifully positioned

Set in a beautifully maintained established garden, the four bedroom 'Springfield' homestead, circa 1901/1902, is reached by a tree lined gravel road. Built with bricks made on the property itself, “Springfield” is brimming with Federation charm. The formal entrance is accessed via a sweeping verandah and opens to an elegant interior, with its high ceilings and beautifully proportioned rooms that are a feature of the era. 

With a formal dining room and sitting room, four large bedrooms and a kitchen and bathroom that were renovated relevantly recently, “Springfield” is as ready to welcome you as it is full of potential. A charming cottage in the garden, originally built as a home for the current owners while their parents still occupied the main house, could easily be used as an extension of the main house, as a guest house or as staff accommodation.

It’s rare to find such an expansive and productive property so close to a regional centre, but “Springfield” is a mere 15 minutes outside of Cootamundra, handily located between Goulburn and Wagga Wagga, and an easy 4 hours from Sydney, making it both a true country estate and agreeably accessible.

A fine Australian pedigree

John Quinn's beloved Coil at work at Springfield in the 1890s. Image credit Pauline Kennedy.

As if that’s not enough, there’s also the notable fact that “Springfield” was the family home of one of Australia’s most famous sheepdog experts, John Quinn, who won the inaugural Federal Sheepdog Trials. Wallace, Australia’s first ever champion sheepdog, and Quinn’s most famous dogs, Coil and sire Clyde, were all bred, raised and trained at “Springfield”, making it the origin of many working dog bloodlines. Charles Chew, Maurice Hicks’ maternal grandfather, purchased the property from Quinn in 1901. Now that’s what we call a true Australian pedigree.

A truely productive opportunity

The family home, gorgeous gardens and stunning scenery alone are enough to make “Springfield” a seriously desirable proposition. But there is so much more to “Springfield”, and it’s the working side of the property that makes it an exceptional opportunity and a first-class acquisition. 

From your first glimpse of “Springfield”, the immaculate condition of the property, and its extensive working infrastructure, is impossible to ignore. The rolling, green pastures and acres of first rate crops are evidence of the combination of traditional and contemporary methods that have helped make “Springfield” such a productive and sustainable farming property.

Famous for its Poll Merinos, and for Maurice Hicks’ dedication to refining his flock, the property currently runs around 2000 head. The South West Slopes provide ideal terrain for raising sheep, and “Springfield” merinos have won accolades and competitions state and countrywide.

Between the flocks and crops, including wheat, canola and pasture, this is a true mixed-farming operation. It’s well watered, run to make a profit and ready to be handed over without a hitch. Given the excellent state of the agricultural infrastructure and the availability of additional accommodation within the grounds, it’s also an ideal situation in which to install a manager to handle the operation of the farming side of the property if preferred.

Further information

1679 Stockinbingal Road, Cootamundra NSW - "Springfield" is being offered for sale by a two stage Expression of Interest process. The first stage will run until 10.00am Wednesday 6th October 2021 and will seek non-binding offers from interested parties. Stage two will be a period of price discovery and negotiation between the vendor and interested parties with the aim of acceptance of a fully binding offer by the vendor.

To request a copy of the IM or to arrange an inspection, contact Angus McLaren on 0428 496 289. You can view the property listing on Farmbuy here.