The 17.4ha property at 190 Malaplains Road, Berry Springs.

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When Cyclone Monica hit the Top End in 2006 April and Colin Ragg were high, dry and enjoying the comforts of home thanks to the location of their Berry Springs block and the forethought they put into their rural house.

April said they also had plenty of space to shelter two-legged and four-legged friends.

“There were a lot of people who brought their horses out here for Cyclone Monica because we were clear,” she said.

“I had 33 horses here, six head of cows, some chooks, four dogs, my husband and I and our two kids.

“And we ended up with visitors for a while too.

“I was looking after a horse (for a couple) and they got stuck here in their mobile home with their dog and their kids.”

There is space and amenities aplenty for horses and cattle.

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April said the cyclone dropped about 375mm of rain in 13 hours but they were “high and dry”.

“We’re pretty self-sufficient,” she said.

“We have tank water, town water, a bore, three phase power and a generator switch on both the house and the granny flat.”

April and Colin, both Australian Army veterans, were looking for the perfect block to create a sanctuary to raise kids, horses and cattle when they found this 17.4ha property at 190 Malaplains Rd, Berry Springs, in 1999.

The couple enlisted the help of Pat Jackson of Jackson Builders to create their dream home.

“I’m busted from the Army and Pat was more than happy to work with me so I could work within my own home,” April said.

“I have an industrial roasting oven sitting on the bench, the kitchen has drawers to make access easy and of course we had to have big verandas.”

April said the home was designed for sensible tropical living with kids and animals.

“The house is structured to make the most of breezes with louvres and bay windows and cathedral ceilings help keep it cool,” she said.

“And whether I’m out in the dust or the mud, I can run inside without worrying about walking on carpets.”

The big kitchen has been designed for functional use.

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The main house has a full wraparound 4m veranda and open plan living.

The country style kitchen has granite benchtops, breakfast bar and a Goldstein commercial oven.

There are three big bedrooms, with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite to the main, and a family bathroom with corner bath.

The main bedroom has doors opening to a screened relaxation area with spa.

April said her favourite part of the home would be a toss-up between her bedroom and the verandas.

“The best spot to sit and watch the world go past is on my back veranda with a cup of coffee,” she said.

“And my beautiful stable doors in my bedroom open out onto paddocks.

“When I was stuck in bed, I could look out at my paddock and horses.”

The spacious main bedroom looks out over paddocks.

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The property also includes an 80 sqm granny flat, with bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, living area and bathroom, a 21 sqm demountable office, with power and veranda, and a 67 sqm shed, with bathroom, tiled room and veranda.

The property was set up for horse agistment and cattle.

There is a well-lit horse arena that can be accessed by trucks most of the year, steel frame stables, and 45,000l of rainwater tanks that can be connected to stock troughs and paddocks.

There are two step down seasonal dams, a 25,000l bore supply tank and 7kw of solar panels.

April said the property was a great place to entertain.

“We extended the back veranda another six metres so I’ve essentially got a 10m back veranda.

“I think we’ve had about 36 people here for a get-together and that’s just for a pizza night.

“I can get six pizzas in the oven and we’ve got a 5m Tassie oak outdoor table.”

There is plenty of space to entertain on the big wraparound veranda.

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The couple are selling up to relocate for health reasons but April said she would be sad to say goodbye.

“Our property has been the envy of a lot of people for 20 odd years,” she said.

“It’s close enough to shopping and to town to access most things but you’ve still got quiet living.

“It was a godsend in Covid.

“We could play with the ponies and take the dogs for a walk.

“Covid, other than being a bit of a nuisance, really didn’t impact us.”

The block is less than 10 minutes from Berry Springs Nature Park, the Territory Wildlife Park and the local pub.

April said the property would be perfect for a family with horses and livestock and perhaps a few rowdy kids looking to splash in the dams, ride their dirt bikes across the rock outcrop on the property and run amok without annoying any neighbours.

PROPERTY DETAILS

Address: 190 Malaplains Road, Berry Springs

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 4

Carparks: 13

Price: $1.25 million

Agent: George Pikos, 0438 004 800, Real Estate NT by George Pikos

Inspect: Contact agent