Have you dreamt of trading the relentless crush of the big city for a life of surfing, wine tasting and fresh country air? Let’s face it, who hasn’t sat at their desk overlooking the carpark and wondered if there was more to life?
If you’re yearning for a tree (or sea) change then you might be tempted by the sale of Silversprings Cottages — a thriving rural venue complete with vineyards and accommodation — in the heart of WA’s Margaret River region.
Set in one of the country’s premier wine regions, with some of Australia’s best surfing beaches in its picturesque backyard, it is being offered as a profitable, three pronged going concern – a key selling point, according to selling agent and former tree changer Phill Cronin, of Porteous Properties International.
“One of the biggest challenges when making a sea or tree change, which my wife and I did just last year, is finding gainful employment once you’ve made that change,” Mr Cronin explained.
He said many city dwellers fantasised about leaving it all behind and starting again in the country but, without an income to rely on, moving to the countryside can be incredibly challenging.
“If you can invest in a property that offers you both income, accommodation and employment then it makes the decision and subsequent transition so much easier,” he said.
Set over more than 40 hectares, approximately three hours from Perth, Margaret River and the surrounding towns are a tourist mecca for many Perth residents who flock “down south” to sample the wines, the waves and some of the state’s best restaurants and wineries.
But as ideal it sounds, making a tree change is not always an easy transition if the plethora of internet blogs on the subject are anything to go by.
Among the most common issues to consider before making the move is the distance you may need to travel for work and school and access to essential infrastructure.
Mr Cronin said it is also wise to consider the services in the area, because some amenities may simply not be available in small country towns.
Do you need to access to high-speed internet to run your business effectively? Is the mobile phone reception adequate? And are there services like rubbish removal or will I be making the trip to the local rubbish dump once a week?
When Margaret and Andy Lindsay first moved to the Margaret River region 24 years ago with two young children, Silversprings was in effect a single cottage on an uncleared plot of land with no power, no roads and no services.
However they were drawn to the property’s central location — roughly 20 minutes from Margaret River, Dunsborough and many local beaches — and, importantly, the fact that it was blessed with an abundant water supply, a key component to consider when purchasing a working rural property.
The couple said the business grew organically and gradually as they identified new opportunities that would complement the existing business.
The original cottage was gradually extended to four, built over a period of years as their clientele and business grew and they built and moved into a more upmarket modern four-bedroom home with a swimming pool to accommodate the family, which had grown from four to five.
Some years later, they decided to plant some vines. These now produce upwards of 40 tonnes of grapes annually and are bottled off-site under the Silversprings label, which produces 700 cases annually and is now stocked in 18 outlets across WA.
Mr Lindsay said although a basic knowledge of agricultural management was beneficial for those planning to own and run the vineyard side of the business, a year of operating and on the ground training would equip you to manage the agricultural side of the business effectively.
In addition to the cottages and vines, the property also boasts an events site, with an adjoining fully-serviced camping ground that is a popular wedding venue.
The couple said after 24 years on the property (and with their children now living in different parts of the world), it was the time to move on and pass their legacy on to someone else to grow.
Mr Cronin said sales in the region had been subdued following the general downturn in the WA economy, but added the market down south was showing definite signs of improved activity and he expected it would slowly turn the corner in 2018.
The property is offered for sale through William Porteous Properties International with an asking price between $2.55 million and $2.79 million.
