Country: What a wonderful life

The gardens and swimming pool are fabulous, the house is vast and entertaining is a delight in this fantastic country residence, as VICKI HOLDER discovers.

As the successive owners have added their personal touches to Ambleside, this impressive country home has evolved as an irresistible family retreat.

First there was the local solicitor who built the home in Karaka Park to resemble a classic Queenslander. Enfolded by deep verandas, the indoor living extends outdoors from most of the rooms, so the garden can be enjoyed year round.

Then an American company director spent a fortune developing the sweeping front lawns and the driveway, which meanders down to the grassy circular island in front of the house. He installed security systems and masses of outdoor lights on posts and in the garden. Then he added an enormous heated swimming pool, which opens from a living room to the rear of the three-car garage.

Another owner had a major interest in gardening, hence the computerised irrigation system that automatically takes care of the beautiful circular lawn behind the house, which is edged with sweet-smelling shrubs and trees. With a built-in sensor, the system assesses the dampness in the air and switches off in wet weather.

Finally, leading Middlemore Hospital consultant Professor John Collins and his wife Jenny arrived. Although the property was verging on perfection, they promptly rearranged the rear garden enclosure, adding pergolas, many beautiful trees and roses, an orchard and an enviable potager garden brimming with vegetables.

With grapevines, citrus trees, feijoas, beetroot, lettuces, potatoes, peas, tomatoes, strawberries and herbs, the garden provides an element of self-sufficiency.

Now the Collins are moving on, too. The next owner will find it difficult to improve on what's already there, as there's little left to do except enjoy the property.

Entertaining is a delight in this home as there are so many options. Guests can share in the elegance of the big formal rooms or relax in the casual atmosphere of the garden rooms. Children are always happy frolicking on the vast lawns or in the 12m x 6m pool.

From the tiled entrance foyer, the house splits with living rooms at one end and bedrooms at the other. The double doors open directly into the formal lounge, which is big enough to comfortably house Jenny's grand piano.

The rich terracotta-toned walls, the log fire and the small-paned timber windows framed with cream fringed drapes create a romantic mood at night. The decorative cornices and the dado rails provide a traditional atmosphere in this and the adjacent formal dining room.

The dining room opens discreetly to the apple green kitchen and family room on the other side. The traditional kitchen cabinetry and window joinery are picked out in contrasting cream. As sunlight floods through the windows and french doors, the effect is always summery, which is why the Collins call it "the Monet room".

They spend most of their leisure hours here, where they can gaze out across the terrace to the garden and listen to the birds. It's a handy place from which to view and open the electronic gate for visitors' cars as they drive up to the entrance.

Without returning to the formal entry, you can scoot through the casual dining room to the bedroom wing. First you arrive at a small office, which has pale blue walls and shelves surrounding the windows.

Further along the hallway, the five bedrooms are decorated in strong colours with coordinating blinds and drapes. The master and the guest room have en suites and there's a family bathroom with two vanities, a shower and a bath. Opening to the terrace through french doors, the master bedroom is larger than the rest and features a dressing room accessed through the en suite. A small sewing room is next door.

Although the guest room caters for visitors, there's a full bathroom next to the living room behind the lined garage, which is also for guests.

Just a 35-minute drive from Queen St and with the new Strathallan School up the road, this big rural property is primed to accommodate a big family who want to share a wonderful lifestyle with their friends.

Vital statistics:

Address: 50 Normanby Rd, Karaka Park, Karaka.

Features: Queenslander-style home and big garden with formal and family living areas; five bedrooms - two with en suites, master with walk-in dressing room; four bathrooms; study; sewing room; self-contained guest accommodation to the rear of three-car garaging; auto-irrigation in garden; panic alarm and security system plus electronic gate at entry; 12m by 6m heated swimming pool and built-in barbecue area.

Size: Land area 1.04 ha.

Auction: On site on Tuesday, December 18, at 6 pm.

Agent: Ross Cory, LJ Hooker, Papakura. Ph 296 5000 bus; 294 8948 ah; 021 941 297 mob.