Imagine waking up with a cuppa on the front, north-facing patio while watching the sun coming up over Yellanup Lake and Castle Rock, the most famous tourist peak in the magnificent Porongurup Range. This range is considered to be one of the oldest in the world, believed to have formed over 1200 million years ago as a remnant of the Precambrian collision that joined Australia and Antarctica until they separated in the Paleocene. Indeed, for much of the Cretaceous (56 to 145.5 million years ago, also known as the last portion of the “Age of Dinosaurs”) and Paleogene (roughly 56 to 66 million years ago), the Porongurup range was a tropical island surrounded by the sea, with the Stirling Range forming the southern coastline. This gorgeous property is situated almost halfway between Albany and Mount Barker. Albany: 35 km on Chester Pass Road, turn left onto Yellanup Road and continue for 3 km on the tarmac – under 30 minutes’ drive. The quickest way to get to Mt Barker from here is to continue on Yellanup Road for 21 km, turn right on Albany highway and in 16 km you’ll reach Mt Barker – around 23 minutes’ drive. It’s 8 km/8 minutes’ drive from the entrance of the Porongurup National Park and 44.5 km/27 minutes’ drive to the Stirling Ranges. This property is situated in the wine-growing area of the Great Southern. Numerous wineries are within a 10-minute drive, including Zarapeth, Castle Rock Estate, Fern Creek, Mt. Trio, Ironwood, Jingalla and Dukes. The Porongurup National Park has one of the richest varieties of plants in Australia with more than 700 native species within the park’s 2,621 hectares. With its diverse wildlife, tall karri and open jarrah forests, and massive granite domes, the park is a haven for birdwatchers, photographers and wildflower enthusiasts who are drawn by the sheer beauty of this place. Visitors flock to this area to enjoy walk and bike trails and visit the spectacular Granite Skywalk. The home on 2.43 ha/6 acres echoes the beauty of its surroundings. Yellanup Lake is situated directly in front of this property so it’s an absolute haven for birdwatchers and orchid chasers. The very neat home on stumps consists of 2 good size bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a lovely big kitchen and open plan lounge/dining area with lovely patios on all sides of the home. There’s also a separate construction near the extra-large single garage, consisting of a large laundry and a 3rd bedroom (insulated). You also have a very large games room in the backyard which could easily be converted into another big bedroom if needed. Enter from the side of the home near the garage. From this patio you will find an extension to the original home to your right. This consists of a queen-sized (blue) bedroom with built-in robes, a ceiling fan and an en suite with a very neat shower, toilet and basin. Gorgeous stable-style doors with fly screens open into the main home with its beautiful polished jarrah floors. To your left is a very large, typical farm style kitchen with modern appliances, loads of cupboards and plenty of bench spaces. The washing up section is around the corner and looks out through a lovely bay window to the gorgeous back yard, making washing up a pleasure! The family bathroom with a huge shower, toilet and basin can conveniently be found just right of entry from the front door, opposite the kitchen. The dining area off the kitchen and lounge has a wood fire to keep the whole home cosy during winter while a reverse cycle air conditioner plus a ceiling fan controls the preferred temperature. The good size lounge area has big windows overlooking the lovely front gardens, Yellanup Lake, Castle Rock and other mountain peaks. It also provides tranquil views over the neighbouring farm and beyond. A glass sliding door leads directly out to a lovely front patio with café blinds where you can enjoy a BBQ and the gorgeous views. The main bedroom is king size and has a large walk-in robe in the corner. French doors open out to a linked side and front patio so you can enjoy gorgeous views from bed. As you approach the home, you’ll note two outbuildings just before the entrance of the main home. The closest one to the home is a large laundry and a king-size bedroom (bedroom 3). This building has insulation so it will be pleasant to use all year round. The single garage has a gable roof and is extra-long and wide (roughly 6.5 x 5 m) to fit the solid workbenches on either side. The enclosed backyard is beautiful! It’s filled with a huge variety of fruit trees and raised vegge beds and includes a large Jacaranda tree near the far side which will drip with purple trumpet-shaped blooms at the end of spring and through summer. On the side, blue wisteria spills over the fence to greet you. A small back patio leading out from the kitchen provides a lovely spot for afternoon tea and watching kids and pets play in the secured back yard. Most of the gardens are irrigated, so you can spend most of your time enjoying the property rather than work on it. Current fruit trees and produce includes apples (gala and pink lady), oranges, grapefruit, plums (satsuma and prune), kafir lime, lemons, limes, olives, pomegranates, mulberries, figs, feijoas, asparagus and artichokes. A large part of the land is filled with lovely big trees and natural grass. There is abundant water from rain and a dam on the property. The dam supplies extensive reticulation and other external needs. The water tank received a new roof recently and holds 12,000 gallons/45,500 litres. In a high rainfall area, that is plenty for an average-sized family. If you’re worried about the amount of maintenance on the property, don’t be. Other than the vege beds and little flowers in pots to add colour, most of the plants and trees basically take care of themselves as they’re well-established, hardy and mostly indigenous. Here you will find well established Leucadendron, proteas, Royal hakeas, roses, leucospermums and pincushion hakeas - to name a few. Termite traps has been in situ since 2016. The current owners (wisely) have them checked 3 monthly and also get an annual full assessment. With such care, there obviously isn’t any evidence of recent infestation. The property is fitted with 2 fire hoses - direct ignition. The pump is at the dam. This property will definitely be suitable as a holiday home or a rental if you don’t want immediate occupancy. You can also consider renting it out short term as it’s in a high tourist area and close to many very popular attractions. It would be a fabulous weekend and holiday retreat for birdwatchers and people wanting to explore the magnificent Porongurup and Sterling ranges. It’s extremely rare to find a smaller property in this area. The price is extremely fair as the owners desire a quick sale, so don’t delay viewing with the exclusive agent Jess. The pictures clearly show that the home is very lovely and in perfect condition. What you need to know: • Spectacular views toward Castle Rock and the Porongurup ranges • Just behind Yellanup Lake - prolific bird, plant and wildlife • Land size of 2.43 ha/ 6 acres – a rare find • Home: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3rd separate bedroom and laundry plus a large games room and extra-large single garage • Polished jarrah floors throughout, including the verandahs • Patios right around the house • Enclosed backyard so safe for pets and kids • Fully irrigated gardens, well established, mostly indigenous trees and plants • Naturally fertile soil • Gas cooktop and electric oven • Fences and a gate around the outer boundaries of the property • Vege patches and a variety of fruit trees • New roof on the water tank • Connected to NBN • House roughly 120 m2 • Reverse cycle air conditioning plus an open fireplace in the open plan area • Ceiling fans in both bedrooms and lounge • Solar heating of water supply with electric booster – 2 roof panels • Abundant water from rain and dam. The dam has only been dry once in the last 25 years. • Less than 30 minutes from Albany and 23 minutes’ drive to Mt Barker • School bus pick up at the gate • Septic tanks and bottled gas and typically rural, no bin collection. There is a local station for recyclables and domestic waste in Porongurup while garden waste and white goods go to the main waste centre in Mount Barker • Local shop, Porongurup Inn and Tearooms built in 1937, only 12 minutes’ drive away • Easy care, low maintenance property • Enjoy this privileged lifestyle, rent is out long term, buy it as a great investment property or consider short stay accommodation - the choice is yours… • Common birds in the area include red, and white robins, blue wrens, honeyeaters, ibis, white and red-tailed cockatoos and the Australian golden whistler • The previous and current property owners have been volunteer recorders of rain levels for the Bureau of Meteorology since 1928. You can continue the tradition or pass it on to one of the other neighbours. • The home is of unknown age but extensively renovated. The pattern on the floorboards suggest very small original rooms which thankfully, is now lovely open areas. • Rates and taxes 2019/2020 – roughly $1,096 per year • Don’t delay!