More than a horse race: Why Scone is a safe bet for buyers and renters

You might bump into the likes of Gerry Harvey, John Singleton and Alan Jones if you’re visiting Scone on May 11 and 12, when Australia’s richest country race, the Scone Cup, takes place.

There’s nearly $2 million in prize money on offer over the two-day racing carnival, which sees about 10,000 locals and visitors pass through the club gates.

“The choppers fly in; the private jets come in: when we hear those start to hum, there’s a real sense of occasion in the air,” says Scone local Polly Yuille.

But while the annual race day has long been a drawcard for city dwellers, there are a host of new reasons for out-of-towners to invest in or move to Scone.

The Scone Cup is a highly anticipated annual event that draws crowds from all over. Photo: Peter Stoop

New attractions

Work is about to begin on the Scone bypass, which means the local council and Chamber of Commerce have been actively looking at ways to entice people into the town.

Chamber of Commerce president David Luck reports that $22 million has been made available for an aviation museum and a proposal for a world-class equine museum is being considered.

A $190-million Upper Hunter Energy Park has been approved, with completion estimated in 2022. 

Spectators watching the Scone Cup. Photo: Peter Stoop

“Recent investment in the town has seen the opening of award-winning restaurant The Cottage, the Thoroughbred Hotel has been reinvented as a stylish bakery/restaurant/bar and the Herd Store has become a destination for fashion and homewares,” says Luck, who runs the local butcher, Luck’s Premium Cuts.

“The Coroneo family is also refurbishing the iconic art-deco Civic Theatre Cinema for use as a performance and event space.”

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Business is booming 

Luck says Scone is one of the “more prosperous” country towns, supported by a variety of industries, including agriculture, thoroughbred breeding and mining. Now, the town’s business leaders have put together a business prospectus encouraging others to capitalise on the region’s investment opportunities.

“Some of the key investment opportunities are around short-term accommodation and property‚ both rental and for purchase,” says Luck.

 

A hazy Scone sunrise. Photo: Kate Geraghty

Meredith Munro, an agent with John Flood Estate Agents, moved from Sydney to Scone 24 years ago. “Over the time I’ve been here, I’ve seen it change from a mainly rural-based community to seeing a huge increase in the equine industry, including the Hunter Valley Equine Research Centre and one of the best racing facilities in the world, plus growth in mining and many other areas,” she says.

 

“Once we used to socialise with just landowners, [but] now we mix with professionals from all walks of life.”

Top Scone home

The 4.9-hectrare estate known as Blairgowrie is for sale. Photo: Supplied

Sitting pretty at 42 Tullong Road in Middle Brook, Blairgowrie is a 4.9-hectare estate that’s a five-minute drive north of Scone’s town centre.

Complete with a saltwater swimming pool and tennis court, the property has a modern kitchen, renovated bathrooms, a choice of living spaces and a home office.

Expect to pay as much as $1.4 million for the property. Photo: Supplied

There’s a six-bay stable block, abundant rain water storage, fenced yards and a separate artists’ studio.

Meredith Munro, of John Flood Estate Agents, is looking to sell for $1.3 million to $1.4 million.