9300ha, nine farm cottages and a magnificent homestead

With more than 9341 ha of land, Ross property Mt Morriston is set up for farming on a grand scale.

Harcourts Northern Midlands property representative Nick Hay says there is nothing like it on the market in Tasmania.

“It’s hard to find something to compare it to, which is one of the reasons why the property will be sold by expressions of interest,” he says.

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“In the past decade properties of this size have been offered to market. But in terms of grazing, prime wool sheep production and also with the irrigation entitlements and opportunities that Mt Morriston has, it really is a unique and special package.”

This extensive holding is named after a nearby mountain in the Lower Marshes district. Hay says as well as being unique in size, it also has a rich history including a homestead dating back to 1849 and a celebrity owner.

“Decades ago it was owned by famous Japanese wool baron Ken Fuji,” he says.

This Ross property is a special package.

“More recently, the current owners have invested a significant amount of money in the homestead and nine farm cottages on the property.

“The impressive main residence has Portuguese tiles, an expansive galley-style kitchen, a diverse range of local and American timbers and the setting is lovely overlooking the Macquarie River.”

The homestead features 10 bedrooms with walk-in wardrobes, eight bathrooms and dormer windows.

Alongside the nine farm cottages there is also a five-bedroom “Honeysuckle” cottage and stone stables, too.

In addition to the benefits of its riverside position in the heart Tasmania’s traditional fine wool country, Mt Morriston has been extensively improved with a focus on irrigation capabilities.

The improvements include a significant storage dam and nine pivot circles with underground mains.

The pivots cover about 530ha, which Nick described as “almost drought-proof”.

Mt Morriston has drawn attention from buyers far and wide.

Farming infrastructure includes a 12-stand shearing shed with holding yards and 14 silos.

Outbuildings also include four powered machinery sheds, one with workshop and a chemical shed.

Hay says the current owner is selling up because the time is right to take a step back and enjoy life in Tasmania and back home in Bermuda.

While there has been plenty of interest, Nick says it is hard to say who might purchase Morriston.

“Inquiry so far has been quite broad, it has come from a corporate level, local farmers and interstate farmers. It is too early to say how much it might sell for.”

Although on the market as a whole package, Nick says there is potential to split the property into three sections of arable farming land.

This property has not been available to buy for many years.

It was sold in 2002 for $4.1 million and 1996 for $1.888 million, per CoreLogic data.

Its current expressions of interest period will close on June 14.

This article from The Mercury originally appeared as “Gorgeous Georgian homestead on over 9300ha at Ross”.