Revamped rural farmhouse a breath of fresh air in Bango

A vision to breathe new life into a charming mid-century farmhouse in the Yass Valley not only created a beautiful home, but a tranquil rural lifestyle for Ryan’s young family.

Ryan and partner Kylie purchased the original 1952-built home at 1341 Cooks Hill Road, Bango in 2020, and embarked on a significant overhaul of the property, transforming the residence inside and out while paying homage to its history.

Set on a picturesque 30-acre landholding in the rich pastoral area, the home is now a sophisticated farmhouse with 290sqm of living space, five bedrooms and two bathrooms.

A locale that values privacy, Bango is a 13-minute drive to the Yass township and just over an hour to the Canberra CBD.

A largely untapped part of Yass Valley history, Cook’s Hill Road in Bango featured recently on the ABC’s Restoration Australia. The ABC unearthed the renovation success of the adjacent 1895-built Blackburn homestead, now named Highclere Farm, noting the area’s vast heritage, investment attraction, growth potential, and amazing prospects for family and country living on the doorstep of Canberra.

Ryan said the renovation included removing internal walls to create more spacious living areas, new plumbing, wiring, kitchen and bathrooms, plus modern comforts like ducted reverse-cycle heating and cooling. Wanting to keep the character of the home the old horse hair plaster, character features, cypress floors and even the two curved walls were all retained.

“Back when the home was first built, it was custom to have many smaller rooms. It originally had 13 areas, and we opened that up to try and make it more modern and liveable,” he said.

“It was a 1950s house, home to a local family who still have substantial land holdings in the area and connection with the property. It had lots of nice old features; a lot of character and we saw it as a nice place to call home and to renovate. We’re really, really happy with the result – it’s an amazing house.

“We wanted to maintain as many features as we could and pay homage to it but at the same time bring it up to speed so we’ve replaced literally every cable, every pipe – did all the ornate cornicing because that didn’t exist but kept all the other details in there too.”

Ryan said the neighbourhood was particularly welcoming.

“The neighbours have a lot of connection, and there is a lot of talk about the history of the properties,” he said.

“Their local knowledge is really special. You could ask a question about a specific tree or a pond and there’s always a story to back it up. It’s that sort of detail that makes if feel like a home rather than just a house. It makes it feel really grounded that a lot of generations have enjoyed their time in that little valley that they’re in.”

The home retains hallmarks of its era including original flooring, sash windows and three fireplaces as well as modern comforts such as reverse-cycle heating and cooling.

There are multiple living areas, including a lounge with a slow combustion fireplace, a bar, dining room, and a family meals space.

In addition, Ryan, a professional horticulturalist, has created surrounding gardens to rival the renovation.

The north-facing veranda overlooks the landscaped gardens, which incorporate a mind-blowing productive garden with an 85-tree cider orchard, a 600-vine mixed hobby vineyard, including older English varieties and popular wine grapes – Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese and Durif – and an extensive vegetable patch.

Windrose Property Principal and Licensed Agent Sam McGregor said the property – reminiscent of beautiful farmhouses in Bowral – and would appeal to a range of buyers including families and those wanting to downsize from a larger acreage.

“I’ve never seen anything like it in the region. Ryan and Kylie have invested substantially in bringing this home back from where it was, which was not an easy place to start,” said Sam.

“Ryan is a horticulturist and one of the first things you notice when you pull into the driveway is that it opens up to what feels like a homestead in Bowral. There are trees nearing 100 years old and he’s built a landscape outside around the trees that would have been planted there when the original house was built.

“It really feels like its own private oasis, a world away from the Yass Valley.

“We are looking for a very special buyer – somebody who wants to live in a period home that has all the modern comforts. It’s going to appeal to people who want to live in the Yass area on a big acreage block but the price point will be such that it will be somebody who wants to live like they’re living in Bowral but wants to be closer to Canberra.”

Windrose Property has listed 1341 Cooks Hill Road, Bango, for sale by Private Negotiation.

Contact Sam McGregor on 0401 097 907, or by email at sam@windroseproperty.com.au to arrange your viewing or discuss your interest.