From battling bushfires to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, after an eventful 2020 a Kangaroo Valley couple is selling their popular home and business.
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Belinda and Ed Allen's in-demand Jacks Corner Retreat is located at 145 Jacks Corner Road.
The homestead has been listed for sale, with a price guide of $4.95 million.
Mrs Allen said the demands associated with recent events may have been a factor in the decision to sell.
"After everything we've been through in the past 12 months... We just thought maybe now is the time to relax," she told the Mercury.
"We bought a plane for Ed's retirement, so maybe we'll go around Australia in our plane."
When a fast-moving front of the giant Currowan fire burned through last January, the Allens managed to save their home and business through a combination of preparation and sheer luck.
Due to start a 12-hour shift with the nearby Beaumont Rural Fire Service Brigade, Mr Allen was hanging around Kangaroo Valley and intermittently checking his property's sprinkler system knowing there was a possibility fire would come through.
As the southerly hit and the fire flared up, he happened to notice that the bush at the back of his property had started to glow.
He had seen a Fire and Rescue NSW strike team stationed down the road, so quickly drove out to ask for help.
"I said 'can I pinch one of your pumpers please'. By the time we got back, flames were at the top of the trees, so they called in another two pumpers and we saved the house," Mr Allen said last year.
Before the fight to save his own house was over, he left to start his RFS shift, only to be sent back to Jacks Corner Road to try to save other properties.
At the time, Mrs Allen told the Mercury her husband was "a complete hero".
Following this, after being a Qantas captain for more than 30 years, Mr Allen was stood down due to the pandemic and took a voluntary redundancy in December.
The 40-acre property consists of a combination of about 20 acres of grass paddocks, bushland, rainforest and walking trails throughout that also lead out to a rock gorge with impressive views.
Mr Allen bought the property more than a decade ago, and developed it.
The couple later took over the on-site management of the business.
"It's a large property, it's 40 acres," Mrs Allen said.
"It's a big job running it all, and we do it single-handedly. I do the cleaning of the retreat and get it ready, and Ed looks after the grounds."
The homestead accommodates 22 people, and features six guest rooms, plus a main house, flat, yoga room and yurt.
Mrs Allen said the retreat was fully booked for 2021, with many on the waiting list.
"It's so popular, and everyone that comes here doesn't want to leave," she said.
Selling agent, Frank Barker from Raine and Horne Southern Highlands said the successful buyer could potentially continue the current operation, allowing the hosting and facilitating of retreats with yoga workshops, meditation gatherings, corporate relaxation sessions or larger events for groups.
He said the buyer could also carry out their own short-term holiday rental operation, or use the property as their own private retreat getaway to enjoy with friends and family.
"It's close to town, but you feel like you're away from everything," he said.
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