Dating back to the 1800s, this historic colonial homestead in the New South Wales’ Southern Tablelands is now a masterpiece blending the old and the new, with beautiful views and majestic grounds.

But it took the current owner about a-decade-and-a-half of passionate dedication to restore the property to its former glory – and then some.

The home sits on a massive 154ha of grazing land. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

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When Carrie Anderson bought the estate known as ‘Raeburn’ at 157 Old South Road in Breadalbane, it was in a state disrepair.

“It was so neglected that rainwater ran down the inside walls and the limited electrical wiring sat in old external metal gas lines – a dangerous combination,” Ms Anderson said.

“The outbuildings were in ruins and the garden was a decades-old garbage tip among fallen pine trees.

“Despite its terrible state, the beauty of Raeburn’s bones and its history spoke to me, and I fell in love with it.”

It took the better part of 15 years to restore the homestead to its original glory. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

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To restore the property, Ms Anderson tracked down old photos, read the diaries of Charles Chisholm – who built the house along with his wife, also called Carrie – and met with people who had visited the house as youngsters, all while “camping” in one room of the house with her four sons.

She also sought help from renowned heritage architect Howard Tanner, with Peter Fudge designing the garden.

The high-end finishes throughout blend contemporary with classic. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

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The eight-bedroom, four-bathroom home, situated on 154ha of grazing land and with a price in the mid-$9 millions, now offers buyers not only history, but modern features including a tennis court, pool, and six-car garage.

When it was built in 1879 the house was modelled on the colony’s original Old Government House and its colonial roots are still ever present, with thirteen-foot-high decorative ceilings, original cedar millwork, marble fireplaces, a stone cellar and stable complex, along with cattle facilities.

The park-like garden has a croquet lawn, and stone-walled orchard and vegetable garden, along with a circa 120-year-old hybrid Irish strawberry tree that’s on Australia’s National Register of Significant Trees.

A full-sized gourmet chef’s kitchen is at the heart of the home. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

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Ms Anderson, who has lived in the home for 16 years, said it was a magical place to gather family and friends.

“Visitors always comment on the wonderful ambience of the place,” she said.

“They say it’s not just the beauty of Raeburn; it feels like a place that has been filled with love and laughter for a very long time – and it has.

“Among the modern comforts and elegant European wallpapers and fittings, you still feel it was once a place of our greatest pioneering families and bushrangers.”

The home features eight bedrooms, four bathrooms and a range of formal and informal living areas. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

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Agent Samuel Lindsay of Drew Lindsay Real Estate in Bowral, who is marketing the home along with Michael Pallier of Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty, said potential buyers were predominantly coming from Sydney and Canberra.

They are looking at the home as both a farming and rural retreat, as well as for uses such as a B&B or wedding venue, Mr Lindsay said.

“It’s just over two hours from Sydney and 45 minutes from Canberra,” he said.

There’s a pool and tennis court outside, set among picturesque gardens. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

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“Many buyers are looking at it as a place for themselves to get away or to live full time and commute between Canberra and Sydney.

“People are still looking for lifestyle, and the move to regional areas with the growth in working from home has opened up areas like this that were maybe once too far.”

Expressions of Interest for Raeburn close on March 25.