"Forest Lodge", Wongwibinda, 2350

MacDougall Rural Property is pleased to present “Forest Lodge”, Wongwibinda in the New England region of New South Wales.

The property has an area of 1,423* hectares (3,517 acres). It is located high on the New England Tableland.

The property’s address is 161 Hickeys Road, Wongwibinda NSW 2350.

Already with a healthy production base, “Forest Lodge” has areas of recently-developed country that with sound management should increase in productivity over time.

Location of Property and Nearby Services

By road, “Forest Lodge” is located 55 kilometres east of Guyra, 28 km west of Ebor, 68 km northeast of Armidale and 140 km west of Coffs Harbour. This is in turn about midway between Sydney and Brisbane.

Armidale is the major commercial, education and cultural hub of New England. There are public and private schools, the University of New England and a TAFE college.

Several beef cattle societies have their headquarters at Armidale. The airport supports several commercial flights daily to Sydney and a daily service to Brisbane.

“Forest Lodge” is well located to take advantage of the feedlots and abattoirs of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.

Being close to the coast, day trips to the beach are a possibility.

Current Enterprise

“Forest Lodge” is currently run as a stand-alone cattle backgrounding operation.

Combining well with nearby “Te-Angie” (also for sale through MacDougall Rural Property), a mix of owner-bred and bought-in stock are backgrounded on natural country, and finished ready for slaughter or delivery to feedlots on highly improved pastures of plantain, cocksfoot, fescue and clover.

Lay of the Land

“Forest Lodge” rises to 1,230 metres above sea level. It is at the top of the Clarence River Catchment.

Topography is best described as undulating, with no steep country. Soils are mainly of a loamy trapsoil, with a basalt ridge in the south.

Native timber species include yellow box, grey box, peppermint and stringybark.

Some licensed clearing has been undertaken in recent years, further opening the property up to increased production.

Water

In addition to pastures, current ownership has seen a focus on water storage development.

Dams are large and located on soaks and springs. Three Creeks run through the property, each being a source of crystal clear spring water.

The property had enough water to get through the 2019 drought.

Rainfall

Northern New South Wales has a summer-dominant rainfall pattern. More locally, the eastern side of New England tends to have drier springs than autumns. The opposite tends to be the case “west of the highway”.

Official records kept since 1885 show annual mean rainfall of 909 mm at Wongwibinda, 4 km west of “Forest Lodge”.

All operational infrastructure on “Forest Lodge” is of a high quality, including:

• 4-bay steel shed
• 2 sets of cattle yards
• Warwick crush at the main yards
• New steel end assemblies on renovated fencing
• All new fencing is of a very high standard
• Flood gates are of a high standard and designed to allow water through easily, minimising unnecessary after-flood maintenance

Please note, an old wool shed and an old hay shed are not currently used.

Housing

There are two dwellings on “Forest Lodge”.

• 4 bedroom weatherboard homestead
• Contemporary kitchen
• Living area
• Sunroom
• Views to the north
• Cottage under renovation at “Westwood”

Sale Process

Expressions of interest to purchase “Forest Lodge” are to be made by completing the form and lodging with the agent, Graham MacDougall of MacDougall Rural Property in person or by e-mail, [email protected].

Inspections of the property are strictly by appointment only. Please contact Graham MacDougall on 0412 220 302 to discuss.