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Kangaroo Island clifftop home expected to sell for the first time in more than 100 years.
Rocky Point on Kangaroo Island South Australia is for sale by Deborah Cullen of Cullen Royle.
One of the most unique – and arguably the best – beach houses in Australia, situated on a clifftop on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island with frontage to seven kilometres of stunning beach, is likely to sell for the first time in more than 100 years as it hits the market this week.
The 5.21 hectare property known as Rocky Point, which was built in 1908 and has been owned by the wealthy pastoralist Dutton family since 1918, features six bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sitting room, dining room, modern kitchen with pantry and two cellars inside its limestone walls.
The property also has a large boat shed and a rare beachfront boathouse for at least two boats, plus an offshore mooring. It also has a separate two-car garage.
Over its long history it has been meticulously maintained and where appropriate, artfully updated.
Deborah Cullen, who is marketing the property for sale via an expressions of interest campaign, said the property, which had been tightly held for more than a century, was expected to generate significant buyer interest.
“Both domestic and international buyers will to be attracted to the very unique offering, particularly in the post COVID-world,” she said.
“Buyers are increasingly looking for luxury and unique properties at home in lieu of travelling overseas and as an escape from dense urban cities, particularly now with the ability to live and work from anywhere.
“Rocky Point is truly a one-off property without peer – there is nothing that compares.
“It is a private sanctuary set in a stunning natural environment, in a pristine part of Australia that is unspoiled.
“The centrepiece of this remarkable property is its breathtakingly beautiful location, situated on a clifftop, quite literally jutting out into the sea and providing unparalleled and jaw-dropping panoramic views from its verandahs.
“Rocky Point dissects seven kilometres of stunning white beach, and is situated within the island’s most protected and prime north facing bay, called Eastern Cove.
“It has an extremely rare 365 metres of beach and clifftop frontage and is freehold title all the way down to the mean high-water mark.”
Ms Cullen said Rocky Point was an exciting opportunity to purchase an asset equipped to become an exceptional generational legacy.
“There is potential to customise and add further levels of sophistication to the house if desired, with development approval for the extensions already secured.
“Renowned South Australian architect, Ian Hannaford, has designed the extensions to be in harmony with the existing limestone house and the surrounding land and seascapes.
“The design incorporates three new very large bedrooms, extensive indoor areas for relaxation, entertaining or board meetings and a children’s retreat.
“In addition to private use, Rocky Point also has the potential as a luxury tourist retreat.”
Rocky Point was commissioned to be built in 1908 by the prominent South Australian Supreme Court judge, Sir John Gordon, who was the first to see Kangaroo Island’s potential as a private and secluded getaway; a place to do nothing, or something. It was then sold to the well-known Dutton Family in 1918.
Rocky Point’s extraordinary views and lifestyle has inspired some of Australia’s greatest artists and authors. Names like John Olsen, Arthur Boyd and Sir Russell Drysdale, and writers of the ilk of Patrick White, Alan Moorehead, David Malouf and Robert Hughes have left profound words in the visitors’ books, which reads like a who’s who of Australian cultural life over many decades.
Many a Vice Regal party has often stayed at the property, with many locals in days gone by, referring to the house as “Government House”. Even Princess Diana’s father, The Earl of Spencer has stayed.
Kangaroo Island has been rated the second-best island in Australia and the Pacific by Conde Nast Traveler magazine in 2020. Even billionaire, Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest, has been quoted as saying; “Kangaroo Island is one of the most amazing preserves of Australian ecology, and in a global sense, one of the few totally pristine environments”.
The island – and Rocky Point – can be reached by jet, helicopter, ferry or private yacht.
The expressions of interest campaign for Rocky Point will close on 16th February 2021, unless sold prior.
Recon Daily – 17 Dec 2020