‘PALMERSTON HOUSE’ – c.1836 – 1897.

A sense of calm overcomes you the moment you turn off the Hawthorn lined country lane and arrive at the gates of Palmerston House. Palmerston is no ordinary country house – it is a place of tranquillity, natural beauty and privacy, but first and foremost it is a wonderful family home. Nestled within 10 acres of beautifully curated gardens, Palmerston stands as one of Tasmania’s finest historic homesteads, beautifully showcasing the evolution of a country house. The property features an Old Colonial Georgian, one-and-a-half storey house dating back to the 1830’s, with grand additions built during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Cherished as a family home for generations, Palmerston embodies both architectural heritage and timeless charm.

The property was originally granted to Thomas Palmer in the 1820’s. In 1838, Joseph Archer purchased the property, however, after he passed away, Palmerston with 1908 acres was separated off to become the property of William Archer of Brickendon, Longford. In 1897, the property was sold to Septimus Nicholson who was 28 at the time, for 5,350 pounds from Harry Archer, after a large mortgage on the property could not be managed due to an agricultural recession. It was noted at the time that “the homestead was a substantial brick building of 10 rooms exclusive of the kitchen and outbuildings”. Palmerston is now a country house on approximately 10 acres.

The gravel driveway takes you past expansive lawn areas, majestic established trees, hedges and decorative timber gates, to the circular drive in front of the house. The home is entered via a deep verandah with an elegant doorway. Inside you are greeted to a wonderful floor plan which includes a library, bedroom and bathroom, wide hallway, huge sitting room and dining room, a guest toilet, smaller sitting room and office. Towards the rear of the home are the service and domestic rooms, including a country kitchen and large informal breakfast room and scullery. The grand main stairway leads to several bedrooms one with a Juliet balcony, bathroom, and storage rooms. Another staircase leads to the widow’s walk with magnificent views across the garden, surrounding farmland, and the Great Western Tiers.

The interiors of the homestead retain many original features including fireplaces, stained glass, bay windows and window seats, high ceilings, sash windows, and wide floorboards.

The gardens at Palmerston are of botanical importance and interest. Of note is a very old Magnolia, Irish Strawberry, Cotton Poplar, Japanese Maples, Ginko, Oaks, a magnificent Sequoia and extensive hawthorn hedging. The multiple formal and informal garden rooms include orchards, private woodlands, herbaceous borders and flower beds, gateways, pathways, a huge pond, and expansive lawn areas perfect for relaxing and listening to the abundance of bird calls and the running waters of the rivulet. The garden is serviced by a new pop-up, timed irrigation system, and riparian water rights from the Poatina Scheme/Rivulet. All power is underground and there are 3 x 26,000 litre water tanks servicing the garden and 1 x 26,000 tank with town water for the house. Outbuildings include garden and potting sheds, machinery, pump and service sheds, and an enormous heated pool and pool house. Large compost bins are also supplied for garden mulch.

Palmerston is located outside the agricultural township of Cressy, at the foothills of the Great Western Tiers in Northern Tasmania. Cressy, only a 14km drive, is known as Tasmania’s Trout Capital. Town services include the famous Rustic Bakehouse, Cressy High School, Ringwood Hotel, IGA, and cafes. Longford is 25km, Launceston 50km and the Launceston Airport 40km.

Whether Palmerston is your next family home, grand weekend country house or an exclusive accommodation venture, this property offers an exciting and unparalleled opportunity to own one of Northern Tasmania’s truly remarkable historic country houses and gardens.

For further information or to arrange a private inspection, please contact Dominic Romeo on – 0434 500 277 or email – dominicromeo@circaheritageandlifestyle.com.au