The property, known as On The Rocks, made such an impression on the American-born corporate highflyer that he contacted the selling agent within hours and bought it a few days later.

That was 1999, and since then Mr Odland and wife Larrilynn have called the property home for four months of every year. They live in San Francisco for the remainder of the year.

He recalls the day he first saw the breath-taking Lady Wakehurst Drive property, built around sandstone outcrops, and constructed with distinctive floor-to-ceiling glass walls to maximise the views and natural light.

‘‘We had seen a show in Sydney and my wife, who is an English antiques collector, suggested we drive down to Helensburgh to visit a dealer that had a shop named The Black Sheep,’’ he said.

‘‘During the visit, the owner said to us: ‘Are you guys by any chance looking for a coastal weekend place'?.’’

‘‘We said: ‘We sure are’.

‘‘So he said: ‘Jump in my truck and I’m going to show you the best property in the entire shire’.’’

The house was then owned by hotelier Leigh Jennings who called his retreat Mount Saint Michael.

Mr Odland continues the story.

‘‘We got in the truck and saw this place and it was one of those moments of ‘Oh my gosh, this is really something special’,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s a unique property, a one-off, and I couldn’t find another property like this frankly - it’s built in amongst these big ancient rocks that are 3metres to 4metres high.

‘‘It’s just a phenomenal position. You can see the ocean from every room in the house and because it’s built with glass and steel you have 180 degree views looking straight out to the ocean.

‘‘The backyard is the Royal National Park, so it’s also 180 degree views looking out across that.’’

Mr Odland, who has retired from corporate life, has put On The Rocks on the market.

Listed with agents Ken Jacobs and Darren Curtis, the property will sell through expressions of interest. Jacobs runs a top end agency which is the Australian affiliate of Christies International Real Estate.

The sale price is expected to exceed $3.5 million. Inspections are by appointment only.

Once the sale is complete, the Odlands will spend more time in San Francisco with plans to make the occasional visit to Australia.

Mr Odland who travels said there was no place anywhere like his Otford home, which features a pavilion-inspired design, with two towers encompassing a master suite and guest wing.

‘‘I think the views are stunning,’’ he said from the phone at his Otford property.

‘‘We have a property in San Francisco that looks out over the San Francisco Harbour and the Golden Gate Bridge but these views here are more stunning.

‘‘A few days ago, I was out on the front porch, having a cup of coffee and doing a little bit of work on the internet. I looked up and I could see whales frolicking in the ocean.

‘‘Where else can you do some internet work, see whales frolicking at the same time, and enjoy the morning sun?’’

Mr Odland said he had also enjoyed the privacy of the property which is set on 3280 square metres.

Entry is through a gated flagstone driveway and the property is protected by an invisible electric fence to keep unwanted animals at bay.

‘‘We are high up and frankly many neighbours don’t even know when we are home because we are up above (the street level) and it’s very private which we like a lot,’’ he said.

The home has four bedrooms, four luxury bathrooms, home office, and several patios.

There are also flow-through living spaces, streamlined granite-topped kitchen, family room or TV lounge, and two Jetmaster fireplaces.

The outdoors offers beautiful native gardens and multiple terraces and a heated infinity pool, which features Italian glass mosaic tiles, with cabana.

‘‘The gardens are just spectacular,’’ Mr Odland said.

‘‘We’ve always felt that if you have healthy gardens you attract a lot of birds and there is every type of bird around here including wedge-tailed eagles, cockatoos and crimson rozellas.

‘‘We had some guests from San Francisco who happened to be bird watchers and they were totally blown away by the number of birds around.

‘‘The bird life also adds to the tranquillity and peacefulness of the property.’’

The Odlands are keen golfers and bridge players yet exploring the bush around their property has also been a favourite pastime in Australia.

‘‘We enjoy walking down the trails to the beach,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a good walk for us and wonderful exercise.

‘‘We like going to Bolga Beach and Stanwell Park.

‘‘When we have the kids and the grandkids over they go down to the beach all the time.’’

Mr Odland said visiting friends and relatives had also found the nearby train station convenient.

‘‘This is just a little piece of paradise,’’ he said.

Source: Australian Property Monitors