470 Fountaindale Road, Robertson

Set across 38.94 hectares of elevated pasture and established gardens in the Southern Highlands village of Robertson, PALOMA is a private sanctuary where architecture, landscape and sustainable engineering meet in complete accord - offering a level of privacy, stillness and self-sufficiency that is increasingly rare. Conceived by Fearon Hay Architects, with interiors by Michela Curetti and gardens by Myles Baldwin Landscapes, the main residence was completed in 2018 and captured by the international press, including a feature in Wallpaper* for its uncompromising modernist language. Long, low pavilions in weathered steel, sandblasted concrete and glass trace the plateau's contour, framing uninterrupted Southern Highlands views and drawing the surrounding rainforest into every room. Inside, two principal suites open onto ensuites finished in imported Italian marble; a northeast-facing living room gathers around an open fire; and a private library wing, set back into the hillside, offers quiet counterpoint to the entertaining spaces beyond. A chef's kitchen is anchored by a bespoke La Cornue range imported from France, while reclaimed timber, Belgian oak flooring, with underfloor heating, complete a considered material palette. Continuing the same aesthetic are two self-contained studios; Studio A is framed by northeast-facing decks extending capacity for guest stays, offering two, twin one-bedroom suites with ensuite bathrooms; and Studio B conceived as a place of retreat for creative pursuits or wellness. Beyond the main residence, a three-bedroom charming cottage evokes an English countryside idyll, its glasshouse, orchard and kitchen garden bordered by a heat-retaining wall extending the growing season. The grounds themselves are of genuine horticultural significance: a two-acre perennial meadow, rose gardens, an orchard, arguably one of Australia's most notable private tree collections, spring-fed water gardens and six dams unfold across the property, complemented by architect-designed six-bay timber stables, a riding arena and round yard for equestrian enthusiasts. PALOMA's most singular distinction, however, lies beneath the surface. A fully engineered, expandable off-grid power system - reported to be among the first of its scale installed on an Australian residential property - delivers uninterrupted three-phase electricity with a projected service life measured in decades, freeing the holding entirely from the grid without compromise to comfort or capability. A rare alignment of design pedigree, self-sufficiency and seclusion, PALOMA is a remarkable retreat, or family compound equally suited to multigenerational living. The setting is timeless. The opportunity is not. PALOMA details: Land area: 38.94 hectares / 96 acres Soil: Deep red basalt, sedimentary/shale Average annual rainfall: 1,600mm Land contour: Elevated pasture, hillside plateau Views: Rural views, rainforest, water (dams) Water supply: 5 dams, a large ornamental lake, spring-fed water gardens, 2x pro-irrigation grids (all gardens/lawn) Fencing: Post-and-rail paddocks, barbed wire Livestock capacity: Current 50 sheep Landscape design: Myles Baldwin Quarterly council rates: $2,362 Infrastructure: Workshops, machinery sheds Security: Back to base, 14 cameras, intercoms, recorded C3 Environmental Management Wingecarribee Shire Council Sustainability & Energy Infrastructure: System type: Fully off-grid, three-phase electrical supply, expandable Continuous power supply: 60 kW Surge capacity: 90 kW Battery storage: 204 kWh Battery chemistry: Lithium Titanate (LTO) Battery cycle life: Predicted 22,000 cycles at 100% capacity Battery service life: 30–40 years Battery warranty: 20 years Primary generation: 70 kW (peak) ground-mounted solar array Backup generation: 180 kVA diesel generator Engineering & design: Phillip Leslie, Living Power Main Residence & Studios: Architect: Fearon Hay Interior design: Michela Curetti Year built: 2018 Bedrooms: Main residence 3, Studio A 2 Bathrooms: Main residence 3, Studio A 2 Fireplaces: Main residence 4 Floor area (sqm): Main 534, Studio A 92, Studio B 98 Floor coverings: Reclaimed timber, Belgian oak; Studio A mid 19th century Austrian oak: Studio B concrete Exterior: Weathered steel, sandblasted concrete, glass Insulation: All, including extra thick state of the art glass Heating / AC: Electric, ducted Water heating: Electric, heat pumps Roof: Structural steel, fire retardant waterproofing membrane Sewage: Septic Interior features: Private library wing, open-plan living/dining, wine cellar, gourmet kitchen, Sonos External features: Spring-fed water gardens, koi ponds, sculptures, outdoor lounge with olive trees Garaging: 2 cars with internal access Swimming pool: DA commenced; approval in perpetuity | L 33m, W 3.2m, D 1.8m Country Cottage: Architect: Unknown Year built: c1996 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Fireplaces: 1 Floor area (sqm): 92 Floor coverings: Timber Insulation: Unknown Heating / AC: Woodfire with plug-in heater Water heating: Electric Roof: Galvanised Exterior: Weatherboard Sewage: Septic Interior features: Gas cooking, high clearance External features: Glasshouse, orchard, kitchen garden with heat-retaining wall, chicken coop Garaging: 6 cars Equestrian: Six-bay timber stables 20m x 40m riding arena Round yard Primary Production: Purchasers' wishing to explore the property's primary production potential may submit an application to Revenue NSW outlining a business plan, supporting due diligence, and evidence of their genuine intention to satisfy the requirements for primary production classification. DISCLAIMER: We've gathered our information from sources we deem reliable and have used our best endeavours to ensure its accuracy, although accept no responsibility and disclaim all liability in respect to any errors or inaccuracies within. We encourage all parties to make their own due diligence.