www.charlestonlodgebraidwood.com.au

• Access is along Bombay Rd then Farringdon Rd, then right turn onto Mount Elrington Road

• Mostly dirt road, take care with potholes and water across road

• Please DO NOT go via Cooma Road as the crossing over the Shoalhaven River is dangerous and fast flowing

Charleston Lodge of Farringdon, a short drive from Braidwood, is situated on a gentle slope with a scenic view of the Farringdon Valley slowly reaching back to the hills and bordering the Shoalhaven River. The property was purchased by Wayne Mactier in 2008, and he and partner Debra Herman farm Angus Cattle on the property. They have spent the past decade enjoying the expansive surrounds and adding to the garden, which boasts many interesting historical features.

“It’s really a tree garden” says Debra. Planted by the previous owner, on the road side front yard is a border of Viburnum Tinus hedge and English Oaks, the entry lanes are lined with Cypress and Linden trees, while Snow Pears and Crab-apples flourish in the internal garden. At the back of the house, a scenic lake is surrounded by Elms, Willows and Japanese Maples.

Many of the tree lanes on the farm were planted in the 1970s and are now reaching full maturity. The striking two-story stables were also built then and are fashioned entirely from local timber inside and out. Debra and Wayne are opening the stables for visitors to wander through and enjoy the evocative atmosphere inside.

The middle section of the main homestead is the original cottage dating back to 1830. Camellia shrubs, gardens beds full of early spring bulbs and more trees surround the house. Hellebores have spread densely under the tree canopies, undulating like a purple carpet.

Further up the hill is another house, once the manager’s home and now renovated and used as guest accommodation known as “Oak Tree”. In front of this building stands the most dramatic feature of the property – an enormous and stately old oak tree which has been dated to almost 200 years old. Likely one of the oldest oak trees in Australia, its massive 5.5m metre girth and 30 metre crown diameter are a sight to behold up close. Debra explains that oak trees have a link to the early days of ship building in colonial Australia. The strong and durable timber was a popular material for ship building and the English planted and used oak trees such as this one back in England. Based on the Oaks size it would have been planted in the early 1800’s.

Back towards the main house, Debra points out an old variety camellia that may also have a link to the past. She was told that the seeds of this plant came out on the First Fleet. From small flowers to mammoth trees, sweeping parkland to cosy cottage style corners, Charleston Lodge is certainly worth the drive.