Canberra auctions: Fraser retreat where Sir David Attenborough came to visit is passed in

The expansive family house at 31 Daley Crescent, Fraser, where the world-renowned palaeontologist Dr Alex Ritchie once hosted British broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough was passed in at auction on Saturday and is now for sale with an asking price of $1.225 million.

Jonny Warren from Jonny Warren Properties said the impressive four-bedroom property attracted interest from people seeking versatile accommodation and flexible living spaces, and he expected the property would soon find the right buyer.

Ritchie and his wife bought the house 12 years ago to be near their daughter and grandchildren. Ritchie passed away in November last year.

Set on a 1156-square-metre block with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, the well-presented main house has substantial living space, including formal and informal living rooms, a fully equipped kitchen with European appliances, and four bedrooms – the main with an en suite and walk-in wardrobe.

In 2020, their daughter Shona Ritchie constructed a stylish two-bedroom granny-flat extension so she could be close to her ageing parents.

The two residences offer separate entries for privacy, but have shared access through a lockable internal laundry and the expansive shared rear deck.

Alex Ritchie was a world-class scientist who led key discoveries, including the excavation of 4000 fish fossils from the Devonian period near the town of Canowindra, just two hours north-west of Canberra, in 1993.

The excavation helped to unveil events that occurred more than 360 million years ago and garnered significant global attention.

Ritchie’s contribution is on display at the Canowindra Age of Fishes Museum, which is one of only two fish fossil museums in the world and a National Heritage site.

Nearly 20 years after the discovery, Ritchie shared the findings with the museum’s most famous visitor. He invited Sir David Attenborough to view the site upon learning he would be coming to Australia and the nation’s capital for a visit.

Warren said this meant the home was not only a place of personal joy but also of significant honour.

Warren said he was also negotiating the sale of the well-presented five-bedroom house at 125 Perry Drive, Chapman, with two potential buyers after it was passed in at $1.4 million.