In 2003, years before lockdown was a reality, Gary and Renee Dunbar bought a sprawling block at Thirroul and set about creating a home they'd never have to leave.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"A long time ago we realised, and I think a lot of people are realising it now, that we wanted to create a space where we were happy to be at home and we didn't have to go out," Mr Dunbar said.
"Depending on how we're entertaining, we've tried to set up these different areas.
"We'd rather spend a couple of hundred bucks on really nice food, cook that and stay in... Have a great time at home where no one has to drive, people can have a few drinks and there's plenty of room for people to stay over."
Set on 3120 square metres, a rare size for suburban blocks in the town, and surrounded by bushland, the five-bedroom, two-bathroom home is located at 48 Robinsville Crescent, Thirroul.
It has a price guide of $3 million to $3.3 million.
The home features multiple indoor and outdoor living areas.
Features include ocean views and an outdoor pizza oven, located in a side courtyard.
The large backyard has been landscaped and features mature trees amid the rainforest setting.
There's a built-in firepit, aviary, storage shed, additional carport/entertaining space and chicken coop.
The rear patio and barbecue area is an ideal setting to spend warm summer evenings entertaining friends or enjoy alfresco dining with the family.
"Especially now during COVID, it's just nice to be at home," Mr Dunbar said.
"We've got the space out the back, you can take a coffee down there, have a walk around the yard, and we can do exercise in the backyard. And that's become even more handy with what's going on with COVID."
Mr Dunbar said they'd had feedback in the past that the home boasted "the best backyard in Thirroul".
He said the garden had been a labour of love.
"I love being out in the garden, and a lot of the palms and so forth we grew from seed," Mr Dunbar said.
"It's hard to sell the place because the garden especially we've established over the years, we've just slowly developed it.
"The main plan was I wanted to have a walkway right around the entire perimeter of the garden, so you could walk around the edge and then leave the rest of the garden more like a park to enjoy with the kids."
Mr Dunbar said while it had been a great place to raise a family, with their children now grown up it was time to downsize and stay in the Illawarra.
"It's time to pass it on to somebody else to enjoy with their family," he said.
Co-selling agent, Mattias Samuelsson from Ray White Helensburgh said properties in Thirroul with a block this size were rare.
"The backyard is enormous, surrounded by a rainforest setting, so it's completely private," Mr Samuelsson said.
"It still has ocean views, so you get the best of everything."
Mr Samuelsson said although inspection numbers had been down due to the Greater Sydney lockdown, most of the interest in this property had come from Sydney buyers seeking more space.
Acreage properties have been in demand in Thirroul, with a two-and-a-half acre property at 43 Princes Highway selling for $2.2 million in June.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
