It was the view that clinched the sale when Phil and Marilyn Hollingsworth bought their country property after living for a few months in an apartment in Brisbane.
It's at the end of a long, sealed driveway on a 5118sq m block. There are no close neighbours, and theelevated house looks out over rolling countryside to the Coromandel ranges.
It was exactly the private, peaceful situation they were looking for, and the house was new, so all they had to do was put their stamp on it.
"The interior of the house was painted all the same shade, so we added our own colours and some other touches," says Marilyn.
They quickly gave the kitchen a new look by painting two walls a soft blue and adding an unusual multi-media splashback of mosaic glass, granite and steel.
The look works perfectly with the stainless steel Bosch oven, induction cooktop and dishwasher, and the slate-coloured laminate flooring.
Good storage, plenty of bench space and a breakfast bar make it a favourite place to hang out.
The adjoining dining area has space for leather loungers on either side of the window.
This is Marilyn's favourite indoor sitting spot, for the sun and views. Alongside is the big family living room with doors out to the deck, and the whole space has rural views and natural light.
320b Pinnacle Hill Road, Bombay. Photo / Supplied
"Because the house is north-facing it gets sun all day so it's very warm," says Marilyn.
In the cooler months it's kept cosy by a free-standing wood fire and 8kW heat pump. There are four bedrooms and a family bathroom with both bath and separate shower. The master bedroom has an en suite, walk-in wardrobe and sliding doors to the deck.
"There were big decks already here but Phil built another one on a lower level with a barbecue area," says Marilyn. "We spend lots of time outside and we often have morning tea out there because it's sheltered and quiet."
Phil and Marilyn have further enhanced the privacy of the block by planting hundreds of trees around the perimeter.
320b Pinnacle Hill Road, Bombay. Photo / Supplied
"Nothing had been done outside when we bought the house so we decided on a low maintenance 'mow and trim' garden," says Marilyn.
"We'd observed others around us with big gardens that required a lot of work and who had ended up selling because of that, so we just wanted lawns and trees."
There's a mix of deciduous and evergreens, including camellias and magnolias.
The lawns are big enough for kids to play cricket and soccer, and a fenced area at the rear of the house provides a safe play space for smaller children and pets.
320b Pinnacle Hill Road, Bombay. Photo / Supplied
A double garage with internal access and a separate garden shed provide car space and extra storage, and there are two water tanks and two pumps — one each for the house and the garden.
Phil and Marilyn are heading back to Queensland's Sunshine Coast to be closer to family but admit leaving the views and privacy of the Bombay Hills address will be difficult.
Harry, their 7-year-old cat, is also reluctant to leave, and has agreed to stay on should new owners want him.
