Historical homestead, twin cascades & endless mountain vistas....

Description

SOLE MANDATE In the Sneeuberg foothills lies a tranquil retreat, with a rambling, and character‑filled homestead accompanied by charming and storied outbuildings, all nestled in a lush oasis of park‑like gardens shaded by a copse of towering trees. Scenic and well‑watered, the property is a working farm with cattle, small stock, and game, while also offering tourist accommodation. It is graced by a perennial stream that forms picturesque twin cascades, tumbling over rounded volcanic rocks into clear pools within a grove of poplar trees, before winding its way down the valley. With its idyllic setting and reliable water, this farm is both an ideal lifestyle getaway and a property with strong potential for further development as a conservation or tourism destination, situated in the heart of the gazetted and protected Great Karoo Wilderness conservation area. LOCATION: ± 34 km north-east of Graaff-Reinet SIZE: ± 1,745.7835 ha CARRYING CAPACITY: ± 13 hectares / Large Stock Unit – Govt. Assessment 2018 (Total: 134 LSU’s). ANNUAL RAINFALL: ± 350 mm TOPOGRAPHY & GEOLOGY: The property is defined by a Y-shaped configuration with a central valley floor and low ridges at elevations of ±1,280–1,350 m ASL. The landscape is intersected by two waterways: the upper reaches of the westward-flowing, non-perennial Broederstroom to the south, and the south-westward flowing perennial Klipkraalrivier with the double waterfalls to the north. The western arm rises to ±1,458 m ASL, while the southern arm reaches a higher elevation of ±1,560 m ASL. Meanwhile, the northern arm descends into an adjacent valley, terminating at ±1,290 m ASL. The property’s highest point, at 1,570 m ASL, crowns the dominant cliff-topped mountain in the northern arm, where God’s Balcony provides commanding views across the entire farm. The south-facing slope below the God’s Balcony cliffs is very steep at higher elevations, creating a dramatic drop from the summit. The remaining mountain slopes are more gradual, with gentler contours easing into the central valley floor. Dolerite is dominant at the highest elevations in the north and west. A narrow, meandering dolerite sill extends southward from the waterfalls, running just inside the eastern boundary before terminating. At lower elevations in the extreme south-west, a smaller dolerite sill is exposed, marking the varied distribution of intrusive rock across the property. The remainder of the land is underlain by Permian Balfour formation mudstones, shale, and sandstones, while the lower valley floor and areas adjacent to the river courses contain fertile Alluvium deposits of sand, silt, and gravel, reflecting periodic flooding and riverine deposition. VEGETATION: Smaller Karoo shrubs and plants include Anchor Karoo-bush (Pentzia incana), Asbos (Psilocaulon sp.), Australian Saltbush (Atriplex lindleyi), Beeskaroo (Pentzia punctate), Bergappel (Asparagus striatus), Biesie (Afroscirpoides dioeca), Bietou (Osteospermum sp.), Bitterkaroo (Chrysocoma ciliate), Bloublommetjie (Felicia sp.), Bushmann’s Candle (Monsonia camdeboense), Buttercup Oxalis (Oxalis pes-caprae), Cape Marigold (Arctotheca calendula), Chaenostoma halimifolium, Kapokbos (Eriocephalus ericoides), Gombossie (Pteronia viscosa), Indigofera sp, Karoo Violet (Aptosimum procumbens), Kougoed (Sceletium tortuosum), Matchstick Plant (Loranthus elegans), Pencil Milkbush (Euphorbia mauritanica), Pig’s Ear /Klein Plakkie (Adromischus sphenophyllus), Pig’s Ear /Plakkie (Cotyledon orbiculata), Pteronia staehelinoides, Resurrection Fern (Ceterach cordatum), Wilde Aster (Felicia filifolia), Wild Asparagus (Asparagus burchellii), and Yellow Mountain Mesemb (Chasmatophyllum musculinum). Larger shrubs and plants include Bitter Aloe (Aloe ferox), Broom Karee (Searsia erosa), Camphor Bush (Tarchonanthus minor), Cancer Bush (Lessertia frutescens), Century Plant (Agave Americana), Common Reed (Phragmites australis), Common Rush (Juncus punctorius), Cross-berry (Grewia occidentalis), Dogwood (Rhamnus prinoides), Karoo Sagewood (Buddleja glomerata), Mountain Aloe (Aloe broomii), Old Man Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia), Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica), Renoster Bush, Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis), Sour Prickly Pear (Opuntia stricta), Spike-thorn (Maytenus heterophylla), and Swartstorm (Cadaba aphylla). Trees include Karee (Rhus lancea), Karoo Kuni (Searsia burchellii), Karoo Honey Thorn (Lycium oxycarpum), Mountain Cabbage Tree (Cussonia paniculate), Poplar (Populus simonii), Star Apple (Diospyros lycioides), and Sweet Thorn (Vachellia Karoo). Grass species include Blue Buffalo Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), Carrot-seed Grass (Tragus beteronianus), Dew Grass (Eragrostis obtuse), Heart-seed Love Grass (Eragrostis capensis), Mountain Wire Grass (Merxmuellera disticha), Quick Grass (Cynodon dactylon), Red Grass (Themeda triandra), Staggers Grass (Melica decumbens), Tassle Three-awn (Aristida congesta), Thimble Grass (Fingerhuthia Africana), Turpentine Grass (Cymbopogon pospischilii), Spear Grass (Heteropogon contortus), and Weeping Love Grass (Eragrostis curvula). HOMESTEAD: The quintessential rambling 19th‑century Karoo homestead of 485 m2, expanded through later additions, exudes historic charm and character while showcasing a wealth of traditional features and fittings that reflect both Cape Dutch and later Victorian influences. Cape Dutch elements include an original yellowwood and stinkwood built‑in wall cabinet with solid lower wooden doors and cottage‑pane display doors above, an ox‑blood stained yellowwood ceiling, selected yellowwood and stinkwood doors, a rear Dutch stable door with glazed upper panels and large wrought‑iron hinges, and yellowwood flooring. Victorian details are evident in the elegant sash windows complemented by traditional louvred shutters on the front veranda, a cast‑iron fireplace complemented by finely crafted Oregon pine surrounds and lintel, Oregon pine floors, both solid and glazed Oregon doors, a pair of happy doors, finely crafted door and window architraves, walls fitted with picture rails, and numerous brass doorknobs and light switches. The homestead comprises 22 rooms, including formal and informal dining rooms, a library, office, lounge, kitchen, pantry, toy‑room, linen room, sunrooms, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and passages. Nestled within a copse of towering Blue Gum trees and surrounded by beautifully kept gardens, it offers a tranquil setting that enhances its historic charm and character. GUEST ACCOMMODATION: The property includes a range of established guest accommodation facilities. Multiple self‑catering units are available, varying in size from compact two‑sleeper cottages to larger dwellings accommodating up to six guests. Each unit is equipped with essential amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor living spaces, with several offering braai facilities and garden areas. In addition, a rustic off‑grid retreat provides a more natural experience, while a shaded campsite under thorn trees caters for visitors seeking a traditional outdoor stay. Collectively, these facilities provide flexible options for families, couples, and groups, enhancing the property’s potential for diversified guest income streams. Notably, one of the cottages stands beside the homestead and dates from the 19th century. It features a pitched roof originally thatched, with traditional whitewashed reed ceilings and solid Cape Dutch shutters, all of which reflect the historic character of the property. OUTBUILDINGS: The farmyard includes two attractive pitched‑roof sheds of differing age and construction, both roofed in corrugated iron. The first, built of stone with an adjoining lean‑to, measures approximately 200 m². The second, of older lime‑washed stone construction, measures about 124 m² and is currently used for storage. In addition, nearer to the old irrigated lands is another characterful stone shed originally built for drying tobacco but now repurposed as a stable. The 5 staff cottages are equipped with both electricity and running water. FARM INFRASTRUCTURE: Approximately 996 ha of the property is almost entirely enclosed by a 2.4 m game fence, with only a small section along the northern boundary secured by a standard 1.6 m stock fence. The farm is currently subdivided into five camps, and a rudimentary internal road network allows access to most areas of the property. Basic stock-handling facilities are located near the homestead. WATER SUPPLY: A screened river intake pipe takes water from the top of the poplar grove down the valley beyond the house and was formerly used for both stock waters and irrigation purposes. There are 4 boreholes near the house and 4 boreholes in the veld. The house supply is fitted with solar and a submersible pump and produces 27,000 litres per hour from a depth of ± 32 m. The property also has two large earth dams. All camps have natural waters and/or drinking troughs. IRRIGATION: ± 38 ha was previously irrigated by gravity from both the river and dam water. POWER: The property operates on an off‑grid solar system comprising a 5 kVA inverter, supported by 3 × 48V lithium‑ion batteries and two solar installations of 10 and 8 panels respectively. Eskom electricity is available for reconnection if required. LIVESTOCK & GAME: There are currently 100 - 120 Nguni and Drakensberger cattle, 50 - 80 small stock, and 70 - 80 Blesbok on the property. Naturally occurring species include Kudu, Mountain Reedbuck, Grey Rhebok, Klipspringer, Steenbok, Duiker, Bush Pig and Warthog etc.

Features

Country Living

Yes

Country Style

Yes

Covered Patio

Yes

Built In Braai

Yes

Fireplace

Yes

Garden

Yes

Office

Yes

Pantry

Yes

Rock Pool

Yes

Splash Pool

Yes

Storeroom

Yes

Totally Fenced

Yes

Veranda

Yes

Wood Ceilings

Yes

Wooden Floors

Yes

East

Yes

Mountain View

Yes

Galvanised Steel Roofing

Yes

Colonial

Yes

Traditional

Yes

Sash

Yes

Game Stock Farm

Yes

Lifestyle Farm

Yes

Solar Panels

Yes

Water Tank

Yes

Borehole

Yes

Backup Battery/Inverter

Yes