‘A labour of love’: Carwoola home 35 years in the making on the market

The home at 306 Widgiewa Road, Carwoola evokes awe and curiosity.

You’ve likely never seen anything like it, at least not in rural NSW. It’s much more reminiscent of a European manor from the Middle Ages.

The entrance of Heavensbridge, as it’s affectionately named, is breathtaking with a private driveway that leads you through a covered carriageway to an enclosed stone courtyard.

This so-called “village centre” is surrounded by the main home and a cottage, designed and built by creative sculptor Mike Macgregor and his painter wife Kerry McInnis. 

While the home appears to be hundreds of years old, Mr Macgregor and Ms McInnis have spent the past 35 years carefully crafting it from scratch.

Even the location was strategically selected for its position among the flora and fauna.

“For the first five years, we were living in a cabin with no running water or electricity while we built the home,” Ms McInnis said.

The foundations of the home are made up of stone from an old quarry near Pialligo and recycled bridge timber sourced from country vintage auctions.

An avid blacksmith, Mr Macgregor handcrafted all the metal details in the home, even down to the hinges on each door. Ms McInnis spent more of her time crafting stained-glass windows and cultivating the impeccable gardens across the 19-hectare property.

But the home was more than a project in the making, it was built around the couple’s creative lifestyles. It comes complete with a martial arts studio, an artist studio and a mud-brick workshop.

For the past 30 years, Mr Macgregor has taught aikido in the studio a couple of times a week, Ms McInnis said.

“He’s been doing it for as long as I’ve known him, so it’s been a big part of his life,” she added.

Mr Macgregor’s sculptures are featured throughout the property and have even featured in NSW’s Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. As for Ms McInnis, her artworks have been exhibited at the Archibald Prize.

Her most memorable muse for the past three decades has been the creek at the foot of the property, Whiskers Creek.

“There’s no better way to experience serenity than at Heavensbridge,” Ms McInnis said.

“You’re surrounded by nature, Australian wildlife and there’s a peacefulness there that is unmatched.”

It’s a bittersweet sale for the couple who have poured their heart and soul into the home to make it something special. 

“It’s been a labour of love for the both of us for the past 35 years and even today, Mike is installing a handrail by the stairs on the back deck,” Ms McInnis said.

“We’ve loved this home for so long and it breaks our hearts to leave it but it’s the right time. We’re ready for new beginnings and are looking forward to focusing more on our art.”