Click on images to enlarge
2007
22 July 2007
Homestead leaves the dynasty
THE Loneragan dynasty began in Mudgee in 1883 and has running businesses and building houses in the wine-making town ever since.
One of them, Belaradah, is on the market.
The homestead and property, off Spring Flat Road and 10 minutes from town, was originally owned by Robert Loneragan. He sold it to Sydney interests who ran it as a farmstay. It was returned to the Loneragan family, which now hopes to reap $1.4million from the sale.
Selling agent Helen Woods, of Richardson and Wrench Mudgee, said: "There is nothing in the district to rival Belaradah. It is a unique property only a hop, skip and jump from town in a rich alluvial soil area."
The homestead has six large bedrooms, two of them with en suite bathrooms. Its open plan provides for formal and informal living areas, all with plenty of natural light.
The dining area is conservatory style. There is a modern kitchen, featuring polished floorboards and a commercial-size cooking stove, a cellar and coolroom.
Integrated indoor and outdoor entertaining areas include a large in-ground swimming pool and a tennis court.
Belaradah has wide verandas and pergolas and well-established manicured gardens. To the front of the house is a lake that is home to water birds and thriving water lilies.
There is a double garage and a storage shed, automatic water bores and a 40,000-gallon rainwater tank.
Ms Woods said Belaradah was a stunning property with an executive residence designed for style and comfort.
"It is a rare opportunity for new owners to live in complete tranquillity," she said. "It is really good value and, at 12 hectares, is a sought-after property size."
Ms Woods said Mudgee's property market was expected to rise in the next few months following the rain and an easing of the drought.
That said, she said: "Property here that is still reasonably priced is selling across the board, from cheaper houses up to the higher range of $500,000.
"Naturally, when we get to the peak, around a million dollars, we have to wait for the right buyer," she said, "but they seem to come along1 ."