Glen Allyn QLD 4885

An inspiring combination of conservation and production/earning potential, this beautifully restored Queenslander overlooks its own 38 hectare Wet Tropics rainforest Nature Refuge.

The timber home with polished floors has windows and verandas on every side to allow for excellent cross ventilation – no air-conditioning required.  A wood stove in the middle of the house keeps any winter chills at bay.

Spectacular views of Mt Bartle Frere to the north-east frames views of the Coral Sea.

The house is set in a hectare of gardens with native and exotic fruit and nut trees.

Upstairs are spacious living areas, three bedrooms, bathroom and separate toilet.

Downstairs has two more bedrooms, a second bathroom, linen cupboard, laundry and covered clothes lines.

Every room looks out onto garden or forest.

An above-ground, salt-water pool is joined to the house by a wooden walk-way. This also provides wheelchair access to the front door.

From the pool deck, Hinchinbrook Island can be seen in the distance.  The kitchen and dining room look out to Bartle-Frere and the Barnard Islands.

 The house is self-sufficient for rainwater with 60,000 L of tank storage (plus an additional 20,000 litres for stock watering).

 Two permanent creeks traverse the property, with a waterfall and swimming hole just below the house.

 Plus more….
• Two spacious undercover carports
• Black wattle from the rainforest margins provides a sustainable source of firewood  
• A chook yard and movable chook pen
• Solid timber swing set
• House yard is fully fenced with dog fencing

 If income streams are of interest, set up ecotourism based on many features :
• A controller and inverter are installed, ready to connect to solar or wind power.
• 38 ha of rare upland rainforest with walking tracks for spot-lighting and exploring its rich biodiversity .
• Part of the nature refuge is zoned to allow ecotourism cabins.
• Rare native plants, mammals, birds, frogs and insects found in the forest (list available)

For the enterprising, 5.7 hectares (14 acres) of deep red volcanic soil suitable for grazing, cabinet timbers or tropical fruits, nuts and spice.

The old dairy has been converted into an extensive shed complex with a workshop, art studio and air-drying shelves to store cabinet timbers.

The climate here is delightfully moderate, with the warmth of the tropics but without the humidity of the coast – the summer maximum is about 30 degrees, 34 max, and winter minimum seldom below 10 degrees – no frosts. 

Tropical fruits – there is an existing local market for native fruits based on what is already growing, or what would be ideal for this land.

Already the 3 fenced grazing paddocks each have a water trough for stock – 25 calves have been successfully raised. There are basic cattle yards with race and neck-bail.

 Neighbours have successfully raised Dorper sheep, goats, pigs, chicken, turkeys, meat pigeons and guinea fowl.  (Some resident animals may be available).

 Wood-work: there is a substantial collection of salvaged, dried cabinet timbers, including some large slabs  – these may be available too.   

The shed complex could be set up as a wood-workshop, with enough height to install a winch to move heavy pieces.

 The tall shed was designed by the previous owners to house a top-hat kiln with two bases, suitable for firing large clay sculptures – so could easily be modified.

 Wind turbine tower (wind turbine not included):  a 6m steel tower suitable for a 2KW wind turbine is installed and connected to a Small Wind Turbine WEL-2K controller.  Controller and inverter are connected to mains electricity supply.

 All of this in the world heritage region of the Atherton tablelands, 15 mins from Malanda with supermarket, bakery, high school and movie theatre. 

 Local primary school 5 kms away, Cairns airport less than 1.5 hours drive.