Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Historic Dawesville home a perfect waterside getaway

For a century Allandale has stood on the shore of the Harvey Estuary.

The elevation, limestone outcrop, overlooking 3.5 acres of estuary frontage and views across the water towards Mandurah and the south made it an ideal spot for a grand homestead when in 1913 Louis Dawe and his family became some of the first people to settle in the area.

Dawe was a pioneer of the canning industry in Mandurah in the late nineteenth century and the Dawe name is familiar to West Australians today. They know it through Dawesville and the Dawesville Cut. But many people won’t realise there is another legacy from this most enterprising man — the original homestead.

Built as a residence for himself, his wife, Emma, and their six children, Allandale originally comprised six large rooms, including a 2.5 metre deep buttery. It took up to four years to build.

Allandale remained in the family until as recently as 1996. Like many other parts of the Peel region’s economy, it no longer relies on the sea but on tourism, instead.

Stunning estuary views

A hundred years later, the views are still there. Rolling lawns lead down to the estuary’s edge. The beautiful, heritage-listed, 100-year-old limestone home still stands sentinel, high on its limestone outcrop overlooking the serene three and a half acre estate. But Allandale has also been lovingly restored and renovated.

The interior styling is nothing short of exquisite. A lovely mix of country charm and contemporary elegance is a hat-tip to this property’s historic importance, matched to our modern way of life. Everything you’d expect is here, including the latest entertainment systems with wireless connectivity, a high-end sound system, and two 42-inch LCD TVs with Blu-Ray DVD players. For the history lovers, copies of the old Canning labels and photos from the Dawes family album decorate the walls.

Through the cooler months and the evenings, there are sumptuous lounges to snuggle into. For those who love the outdoors, there is a floodlit tennis court, expansive lawns, a trampoline, a barbecue and beautiful gardens. A world-class golf course, The Cut, is right next door. Then there are the countless local activities — swimming, fishing, canoeing, boating, crabbing, surfing, bike riding and four-wheel driving.

One of the few original homesteads still left in the Mandurah area, Allandale is not only a gorgeous family getaway location, it’s a fantastic piece of West Australian history. Be a part of it. Book your Allandale escape today.

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