What to consider when purchasing a property on a big block of land in Canberra's surrounding NSW region

Block sizes seem to shrink each time a new release comes onto the market, but not everybody wants to live on a plot as big as an oversized handkerchief.

For those who want to super-size, there are options all around the ACT, says Samantha Linsdell of Belle Property Canberra.

“You’ve got Wallaroo, Sutton and Byong in one direction and places like Michelago, Royalla, Williamsdale and Burra in the other,” she says.

“All of these offer properties with plenty of hectares, often with solid homes and some with really special ones.”

Linsdell says the appeal is twofold: “Buyers appreciate being able to get away from it all, but they also like being less than an hour to all the attractions, services and amenities of Canberra.”

She says most buyers for properties that range from one hectare up to, say, 70 hectares and more usually come from Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.

John Lennie of Elders Murrumbateman says buyers of lifestyle or large acreage properties should bring a checklist.

“The most essential element is a reliable supply of water – it’s everything, whether you have one hectare or thousands of them,” he says.

“The next consideration is soil quality and whether it can support growth or grazing. Assess the seller’s land management practices.

“After that, check out buildings and infrastructure. Sheds, yards, fences, pumps, access roads – everything.”

Lennie says homestead inspections should also be on the list, but the buying decision would likely hinge on the quality of the water, soil and infrastructure.

• Due diligence: Know what you’re getting into: a big spread requires a lot of maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape. Are you prepared to make that commitment and meet the cost?
• Understand the risk: What’s the profile of the property – flat, undulating, hilly, rocky, treed? Does it have access to water? Is it protected from the elements and possibly fire or flood?
• Built environment: Apart from inspecting the home (if there is one), check all outbuildings and infrastructure including fences, bores, yards, power supply and more – and that they all have approvals where necessary.

Check out our top pick of homes for sale on big blocks:

Burra

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Get away from it all to this custom-built contemporary home that sits on a big, big hillside spread only 33 minutes from Canberra airport.

This four-bedroom family home, designed by Fasham Johnson, sits on about 71 hectares overlooking the southern end of Googong Dam.

It stands apart in many ways, but one in particular: acreage of this size rarely comes to market in the Burra valley and the surrounding area.

This beautifully presented single-level residence delivers a superb selection of indoor-outdoor entertaining spaces, with 190 square metres of internal living highlighted by raked ceilings with clerestory windows.

Other features include spotted gum timber flooring, window treatments, solar hot water, reverse-cycle airconditioning and a slow-combustion wood fire.

The floor plan includes four generous bedrooms, the main with en suite, a family bathroom, an open-plan informal living and kitchen area, and a formal lounge and dining room. Kitchen highlights include Blanco appliances, stone benchtops and a built-in breakfast bar,

The property could run sheep, goats, alpacas or similar. It has excellent water storage, a dam with gravity feed and a high-yield bore. Outbuildings abound with multiple garages, carports, sheds and shelters.

There could be potential – with relevant approvals – to extend the existing home or to redevelop or sub-divide the land.

The property is only 23 minutes to Queanbeyan and 17 minutes to Googong, and has easy access to Canberra. 

Price guide: $2.1 million-$2.3 million

Private sale

Agent: Belle Property Canberra, Samantha Linsdell 0402 507 902

Or try these:

Eurobodalla

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Land size: 10.89 hectares

Price guide: $2.2 million

Private sale

Agent: Whale Coast Realty, John Murray 0475 053 869

Moss Vale

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Land size: 2117 square metres

Price guide: $2.9 million-$3.1 million

Private sale

Agent: One Agency Maday Property, Henry Capel 0431 190 368

Woodlands

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Land size: 9997 square metres

Price guide: $1.85 million

Private sale

Agent: Campbell Jones Property, Gwenda Webb 0408 533 111