Historic Southern Highlands cottage and former church hits the market

In the quaint Southern Highlands town of Werai, a historic sandstone cottage on more than 8000 square metres of land has hit the market and is waiting for someone else to call it “home, sweet home”.

And what a sweet home it is.

Affectionately known as Gatehouse Cottage, the then two-bedroom property was built in 1867 and used as a residence for the gatekeeper of the local railway station, serving the locality of Werai. 

The station was moved at the turn of the century. The gatekeeper then moved away before a local church took over the property, selling agent Kate McCullagh of DiJones Estate Southern Highlands said.

“A lot of long-time neighbours, farmers, have distant relatives who were christened at the church,” Ms McCullagh said.

“So, it served as the local church for many years before it was privately owned and extended.”

And despite its short tenure, remnants of the place where people sought spiritual guidance remain with the stained glass windows featured throughout the cottage.

The new owners extended the property in 1971 to create the footprint seen at the home today.

The original sandstone building housed the living and dining quarters, while the weatherboard extension was home to the kitchen, three bedrooms and a library.

But the building that stands today wasn’t always as charming.

In fact, it took the third and final owners to bring it fully back to life.

“When Ron (the seller) bought it nine years ago, it was a deceased estate and hadn’t been lived in for about a year,” Ms McCullagh said.

“He really took all its history and poured his blood, sweat and tears into it to make it what it now is.”

The seller renovated the home, installing a new kitchen, an additional fireplace and new carpet, and repainting the property while keeping elements of what made Gatehouse Cottage unique, such as the 1867 date stone among the sandstone blocks and the original windows.

More sandstone slabs were found throughout the property, and the seller then created a sculpture – dubbed Land Man Standing – in the garden.

But the surrounding gardens are the prized possession.

“Ron had ripped out the old garden and really started from scratch,” Ms McCullagh said.

“He laboured over it and now he is reaping the rewards; its landscaped gardens and so many fruit trees like figs, pears and plums.”

One can imagine hosting many family and friends around the garden with a wine in hand and the sun setting in the distance.

“It’s a unique home with a romantic charm, and it has definitely caught the attention of many buyers from owner-occupiers wanting to escape city life to those looking at it from a holiday rental perspective,” Ms McCullagh added.

“We’ve been smashed with inquiries, so buyers have to get in sooner rather than later.”