Sunshine Valley – a secluded, hidden suntrap with idyllic views
Offers around $233,000
74 Martins Road PETCHEYS BAY TAS 7109
Hey… welcome to Sunshine Valley! If you’re looking for an idyllic, secret spot (bathed in gentle sunbeams) to escape to, then please read on as after 12 years under our ownership, Sunshine Valley is finally for sale. Set in beautiful Petchey’s Bay (located in the stunning Huon Valley in Southern Tasmania), our 33 hectare (82 acre) private paradise is a mixture of cleared pasture, native Tasmanian flora, and ex-dairy gently wooded pasture – meaning this piece of land has much to offer. Sheltered from Tasmania’s ocean winds, this property is the ultimate sun trap – perfect for building a relaxed, peaceful lifestyle which can benefit from ideal conditions for horticulture. The nearest town, Cygnet, is the centre of this highly desirable part of Tasmania – attracting new residents from all over Australia and the world. Cygnet was named by French explorers in 1793 (meaning it’s steeped in history), and it’s renowned for a super-friendly atmosphere, delicious cafes, historic buildings, full amenities, vibrant arts scene, respected sailing club, and world famous folk music festival. Sunshine Valley is situated at the very end of Martins Road, and the entrance to the property passes through an archway of eucalypts which bursts out into brilliant sunlight and a hidden valley of cleared pasture dotted with young regrowth silver wattles that attract a wide range of native birds that fill the air with quite beautiful and entrancing birdsong. It was this intoxicating sense of peace as we stood in the sun listening to the birds (with no-one else visible for miles) that convinced us to buy Sunshine Valley 12 years ago. We loved exploring the extensive property on the hunt for that perfect secluded family home placement. We identified 3 or 4 fantastic house sites (STCA), including some with views of the South West World Heritage, the Hartz mountains (stunning in winter) and potential water views of the beautiful Huon River. If you are a nature enthusiast, in addition to the pockets of temperate rainforest (man-ferns), an abundance of wildlife including the delightful Sugar Glider, iconic Tasmanian Devil, majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle, and many other species have all been sighted in Sunshine Valley. Sunshine Valley also offers opportunities for anyone dreaming of a small-scale organic business (STCA), as the land has been undeveloped for the 12 years that we owned it, and many years beyond that (as confirmed by locals) – which would greatly assist in organic certification. Other potential uses could include an ecotourism venture (STCA), and there’s even a network of old logging roads that could be used to access various exciting locations with different themes. Sensitive clearing of the dairy pasture would allow for stunning water views to enhance the already available mountain vistas of the jagged peaks of the Hartz Mountains – something that would be sought after both by home builders or visiting tourists. The ‘no-through road’ location guarantees your privacy, and we encourage you to inspect the property at your leisure – with no sales pressure from us. So why not take a drive up (perhaps with a picnic) and see / hear for yourself why this is a truly special place? KEY FEATURES – – – • 82.6 acres (33.41 hectares) • mixture of cleared pasture, light regrowth over diary pasture + eucalypt forest • ‘end the road’ guarantees utmost privacy + peace • receives all day sun and shelter from wind • approx 3 to 4 acres cleared for potential house sites / organic farm / eco-tourism developments • views of the South West World Heritage + Hartz mountains (stunning in winter) + the beautiful Huon River (minus a few trees!) • Telstra connected already installed to the boundary • subdivision may also be possible with new improved planning laws (STCA) • network of old logging roads • potential for organic certification (as land has been undeveloped for a minimum of 13 years, if not considerably more) • 82 acres of private tree-change sanctuary could suit eco-tourism development (STCA), a delightful smallholding, agricultural development such as blueberries or vineyards, or simply your dream home • only 10 minutes from the growing town of Cygnet which offers famous restaurants, cafes, shops, banks, schools, vibrant yacht club, art galleries, bakery, chemist, hardware store • easy 45 minute commute to Hobart, or catch the regular bus service from Cygnet and relax • big arts + music scene with world famous music festival • close to world class trout + salmon fishing • only a few kms from SBS Gourmet Farmer, Matthew Evan’s, organic farm MAGICAL THINGS – – – • the entrance to the property passes through an archway of eucalypts to burst out into brilliant sunshine to uncover the hidden valley • cleared pasture dotted with young regrowth silver wattles attracts a wide range of native birds that fill the air with spellbinding birdsong • standing in the sun listening to the birds with no others around promotes a huge sense of peace, and was easily the reason we bought Sunshine Valley 11 years ago • explore the forest to find the fallen giant eucalypt (it’s a monster), and even small outcrops of man-ferns (temperate rainforest) • winter creek / spring + pond • spot rare wildlife such as delightful Sugar Gliders, Tassie Devils, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Potaroos, cute little Pademelons, Bettongs, Quolls, wedge tailed eagles, and the ancient-sounding Black Cockatoos • idyllic haven for relaxation – we often just lie in the grass with the kids and listen to beautiful birdsong PETCHEYS BAY – – – Petcheys Bay is a small rural community 60km (1 hours drive) from Hobart and 7km out of the thriving community of Cygnet in Southern Tasmania. A small secluded and sheltered bay offering safe boat anchorages along the Huon River is ripe with all sorts of foraging opportunities such as oysters, shellfish and fishing (spinning and fly fishing). Further around the coast are award winning wineries (Hartzview winery), the blueberry farm at Lymington, cider brewerys using local produce, and an established organic farm along the Cygnet Coast Road owned by the star of SBS TV’s Gourmet Farmer – Matthew Evans. Across the water from Petcheys Bay is Surges Bay, and behind that lies the beautiful and dramatic Hartz Mountain range which is often snow covered in the winter and offers stunning hiking, camping, fly-fishing and mountain biking opportunities. CYGNET – – – The nearest town to Petcheys Bay is Cygnet which is renowned for its friendly community, wonderful fresh food and famous cafes. Popular with artists, real food enthusiasts, agriculturalists and alternative lifestyle seekers; Cygnet provides access to all essential services. Despite only having a population of 839, the small town boasts a range of services well above it’s size – such as three family-friendly pubs, two IGA supermarkets, two banks, two petrol stations, two primary schools (public and Catholic), three doctor’s clinics, butcher, bakery, hardware store, two churches (Catholic and Anglican), hairdresser, newsagent, takeaway, library (with Internet faciities), furniture + homewares store, and a toy library. There is also access to several wonderful cafes, specialty stores and art galleries. The local Port Cygnet sailing club offers sailing enthusiasts access to a very active and inclusive sailing club with regular racing from October through to May. Cygnet also offers a public golf course, a museum, several play-parks for the kids, and some spectacular short walks starting at the town. With only a 50km drive to Hobart and 40km drive to Kingston, Cygnet offers a wonderful tree change / rural lifestyle with easy access to all the conveniences and amenities of a city. HISTORY of Sunshine Valley – – – We first purchased this property in 2006. At that time we had dreams of building our home here and establishing a small scale self sufficient lifestyle based on permaculture principles and perhaps a small ecotourism business as well. Unfortunately life threw up some curve balls (2 kids !!) and we never fully realised this dream, but during our time living on this block of land we have established a deep appreciation of what a special piece of Tasmania this really is. When we first moved to Petcheys Bay, locals quickly embraced us and educated us on the local history of this piece of land. The south west facing hill was established as a dairy pasture in years past but was abandoned years before we purchased the land. The remnants of the small shack that was used by the farmer here was still standing (complete with bathtub which made a trendy outdoor bathroom!!). This south west facing hill had regenerated with silver wattle trees but the green pasture still remains below the trees. At the base of this hill is the winter creek with a small scattering of attractive man-ferns. The northwest facing hill remained native Tasmanian bush which had regenerated following some damage after the 1967 bushfires which ravaged this region. You can still see the burnt out remains of some old forest giants at the top of the hill. A series of old roads had been cut in across the base of this hill (to aid simple early forestry) and some of the land cleared around it. A second small road has been cut in further up this hill, and a short walk along it reveals what appears to be the remnants of an old (??Illegal) distillery where a little something to warm the bones seems to have been concocted in days long gone. The meeting point between our two hills contains a winter creek which culminates in ‘the pond’ which echoes with the nighttime calls of hundreds of frogs, and we had plans to turn it into a dam. As it is, it offers a shady and peaceful place to sit on a bench and soak in all the bush has to offer (that’s where my dad is sitting in the film!). A walk along this gully also reveals more scattered man-ferns where the odd Potaroo or Wallaby can be found snoozing through the day. After spending some time on the land we decided to clear the silver wattle regrowth that had taken hold of the bottom paddock area of the north west facing hill. Once cleared we could see the foundations of some good, workable soil and we also appreciated the suntrap we had created during the strong spring winds which battered the coastline but barely touched us here in our hidden valley. We established a couple of small vegetable garden beds (all organic) and a small chook shed to house the healthiest and most spoilt family of 3 hens and a fine rooster. The garden beds have all overgrown now but the chook shed remains as dry as the day we left it! The area we cleared has now started to be reclaimed by silver wattle again but the potential remains and in the meantime the silver wattle will continue to fix nitrogen into the soil preparing it for whatever development may await it. During our time here, the quiet and the sunshine worked its way into our souls. The night sky was electric with stars whose brilliance was undisturbed by light pollution. The wildlife shared the land with us unselfishly and the locals made us feel so welcome and such a part of the community. This is a special place and we look forward to introducing this land to its new custodians – someone who will help this wonderful place reach its potential and nurture it into the next chapter of its story. NEXT STEPS – – – We would be delighted to meet you on-site for a tour (or have an informal phone / Skype chat), so if you want to know more, then please use the contact facilities on this page. We’ll then be in touch to answer any questions, or arrange a time to catch up. We look forward to meeting you.
For Sale By Owner