Buyers drawn to picturesque Canberra golf-course estates

For a golfer, a course-side property is a dream home – just a few steps out the back door and you’re on the fairway. However, non-golfers are also finding life on the green can be pitch perfect.

Canberra is blessed with picturesque golf course estates; Gleneagles and Harcourt Hill provide a peaceful setting on the fringe of suburbia. Pockets of Ngunnawal, Yarralumla and Garran also offer a handful of properties overlooking golf courses.

Demand for these course-side homes is red hot, according to Peter Blackshaw Woden and Weston Creek agent Rob Cappuccio, with many buyers drawn to the tranquility, stunning views and relaxed lifestyle on offer in these secluded estates.

“They’re generally away from the hustle and bustle of shopping centres and heaps of traffic, but they’re close enough for you to get to the shops in no time at all,” Cappuccio says.

“Residents can enjoy the convenience of the suburbs but with the lifestyle that comes with the country – it’s a step into the country without taking much of a step.”

Cappuccio says ardent golfers are not the key buyers in Canberra’s golf course estates. Residents may dabble in the sport occasionally, but he says buyers tend to be more enthused by the open spaces and tranquil setting than proximity to the putting green.

“When they move to an estate they usually stay there for many, many years.

“They love the lifestyle where they can walk out their back fence and take their dog for a stroll.”

Estate living is a relatively recent development in Canberra, given its popularity. Maloney’s Property principal Peter Maloney says Kambah’s Gleneagles Estate, which was developed in the early ’90s, was the ACT’s first prestigious golf-course estate.

“There were strict building covenants to ensure high-quality houses were built in the estate and every house had to be over 180 square metres,” Maloney says.

Nicholls’ Harcourt Hill followed in 1994, with luxurious properties framing the perimeter of the Gold Creek Golf Course.

Cappuccio says properties overlooking golf courses are tightly held and command a premium.

“If you look in Gungahlin, the record prices are all around the golf course,” Cappuccio says.

“It’s the same with most areas. In Kambah, there’s no doubt about it that the record sales are around the golf course.”

Civil works will soon commence on the construction of Ginninderra Estate in Belconnen.

The residential development will overlook the Magpies Golf Course and occupy the unused nine-hole section of the former 27-hole golf course.

Woodhaven Investments director David O’Keefe says while Ginninderra Estate is in Holt it will provide a similar setting to that of Gleneagles – a peaceful enclave with the surrounding enclave providing privacy.

And like Gleneagles, it’s not just golfers who are keen for their own slice of land in the estate.

Impact Properties Gungahlin principal Shaun Iqbal, who has 30 listings in Ginninderra Estate, says most of the interest has come from young couples.

“Golf is not the attraction,” Iqbal says.

“The attraction is the environment and golf is just a feature that comes with the property. It’s about the green setting, there are no streets filled with traffic. The neighbourhood is calm and relaxed.”

Whether you’re looking for a course-side home in Gungahlin, Belconnen, the inner south or Tuggeranong, Cappuccio advises acting swiftly if you find a property that suits your needs.

“If you do find that property, be prepared to move quickly on it,” Cappuccio says.

“There are only a finite number of properties that do back golf courses so if you find a house that suits your criteria and budget, be swift because you can count on it that someone else is also interested.”

Canberra’s golf-course estates

• Gleneagles Estate: Occupying the western quarter of Canberra’s largest suburb, Gleneagles Estate overlooks the Murrumbidgee Golf Course, which is complemented by surrounding bushland at the Mcquoids Hill and Urambi Hills nature reserves. It is also within walking distance to the Murrumbidgee River. “Gleneagles is also very conveniently located as you can drive to Tuggeranong Town Centre, Woden and Weston Creek in less than 14 minutes,” Maloney’s Property principal Peter Maloney says. “The other interesting factor is there are traffic lights on the way to Civic – you can arrive in under 12 minutes.”
• Harcourt Hill: Encompassing the Gold Creek Golf Club, Harcourt Hill is one of the most prestigious neighbourhoods in Canberra’s north. The neighbourhood has been carefully planned to ensure many of the properties have golf-course views and about a quarter of the homes directly back the golf course. Most of Gungahlin’s top sales were recorded in the estate. Gungahlin’s first $2 million-plus sale was achieved in Harcourt Hill last year when a spectacular home at 55 Sue Geh Circuit sold at auction for $2.01 million. The Gold Creek Country Club also boasts a swimming pool, tennis courts and gym, making it a popular destination for Gungahlin residents.
• Ginninderra Estate: The land release at Ginninderra Estate achieved a 100 per cent clearance rate when it went under the hammer last year. The 20-hectare estate will comprise 350 dwellings on a range of block sizes. As part of the development of Ginninderra Estate, the existing golf course at Holt will be retained and improved with extensive renovations to be undertaken at the club house. Impact Properties’ Shaun Iqbal says house and land packages at Ginninderra Estate represent “significant value for money”. “A three-bedroom double garage ensuite [at Ginninderra Estate] is about $80,000 cheaper when compared to Moncrieff and Denman Prospect,” Iqbal says. The estate is less than 15 minutes from the city and seven minutes to the Belconnen Town Centre.

Golf on your doorstep

David and Jannine’s Gleneagles home backs directly onto the Murrumbidgee Golf Course, however the couple say the setting offers much more than just golf.

David, Jannine and their five children upsized from Canberra’s north in 1998. Jannine played the occasional game of golf, but it was the property’s tranquil setting and abundance of wildlife that were the real drawcards.

“It’s beautiful and peaceful and there’s no traffic noise,” Jannine says.

“All we see is 180 degrees of bushland, which is just beautiful.”

Kangaroos congregating on the eighth green of the course, as well as cockatoos, galahs and rosellas are among the regular visitors.

The course’s lake attracts migratory waterfowl and bushwalks begin right at the doorstep.

David says the location encapsulates the Latin expression “rus in urbe” which roughly translates to “country in the city”.

“One of the joys is coming home from work and as you come across the Kambah Pool Road, all you can see are the Brindabella Mountains,” David says.

Living near a golf course also means the conveniences of a country club are also close by. For David and Jannine it’s just a walk across the fairway for a hearty meal at the restaurant.

Peaceful playground

109 Ivo Whitton Circuit, Gleneagles
$950,000-plus

Backing the Murrumbidgee Golf Course and reserve, this four-bedroom home offers resort-style facilities befitting its tranquil location.

It has been built to a high standard and features bright, open-plan living areas that connect seamlessly with the outdoor spaces.

A central family room with an adjoining, renovated kitchen overlooks the rear yard, which features a stunning saltwater swimming pool.

Peter Blackshaw Woden and Weston Creek agent Rob Cappuccio says it is a home perfect for entertaining inside and out.

“The family area opens up with double-glazed bi-fold doors onto a large, covered deck that overlooks a beautiful pool area and kids’ play areas.”

Direct access onto the reserve and golf course further extends the home’s peaceful playground.

“Rarely do we find beautiful locations such as these,” Cappuccio says.

“A large, north-facing land parcel backing a country setting with outlook to the hills – essentially enjoying the convenience of living in suburbia, but with the charm and quiet of the country.

“For a block this large, the upkeep and garden maintenance is minimal as it has been landscaped to be enjoyed, not fussed over.”

The master suite is equipped with a huge walk-in wardrobe and en suite. The other three bedrooms have built-in wardrobes and both bathrooms have been newly renovated.

In the sought-after Kambah pocket of Gleaneagles, the home offers easy access to arterial roads. The Tuggeranong Town Centre and quality schools are just minutes away.

No. 109 Ivo Whitton Circuit, Gleneagles, will be auctioned on Saturday, August 6, at 10am, on site. Phone Peter Blackshaw Woden and Weston Creek agent Rob Cappuccio on 0410 121 601. EER: 2. Inspect: Saturday, 11am-noon.