Graham MacDougall

As an agent specialising in rural property in northern New South Wales, I get to see many properties. Every now and then, one stands out as being suitable for more than just primary production.

"Long Point" is one of those properties.

To get to the property, one must wind along through the state forest on the council-maintained road. This certainly gives the first-timer a feeling of "are we there yet?" syndrome. Upon arrival, however, one is greeted with a magnificent vista of productive farmland bounded on all sides by the rugged beauty of the gorges that go to make the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. "Long Point" is an area of the tablelands that juts out into the gorges (view the Google Earth file attached to see what I mean). Views extend from the Walcha district, down the Macleay Valley and across to Point Lookout and Cathedral Rocks (Ebor), and back over towards Armidale. When the sun sets, you are hard pressed to see any lights other than the stars in the brilliant, but dark, sky.

In fact I believe it's seclusion to be one of its strong points.

Being set next to the park enables direct access to all it has to offer...hiking, fishing, etc. In fact the property is half way along the popular hiking route from Walcha to Dorrigo (therefore lending itself as an ideal staging post for hikers).

Infrastructure is at a minimum, which I think is a bonus. It does not take much to visualise an eco-lodge being established amongst the hills and valleys, even directly overlooking the gorges.

Whether you are interested in Eco-tourism, a working farm, or both and don't mind a little solitude I recommend you consider an inspection of "Long Point".

Further information and images may be found at www.macdougall.com.au/longpoint .

Graham MacDougall, principal of MacDougall Stock & Land, marketing agents. Enquiries (02) 6772 4200