For city slicker couple, Andrew Morphett and Peter Hayward, the seemingly innocent fantasy of a “weekend project” turned into something altogether more monumental and life changing.
In fact, what began as the search for a small weekender saw them trade their busy, high-flying finance careers in Sydney for a full-time life as caretakers of a historic, sprawling South Australian estate.
Anlaby was originally established in 1839 and is home to the oldest Merino stud in South Australia and the second-oldest in the country. Picture: Supplied
"We had busy lives in Sydney, in the finance sector," Mr Morphett told realestate.com.au. "Whilst we enjoyed our time in Sydney, we were looking for a weekender or longer term project — something we could bring back to life."
And, following a two-year-long search, a beautifully photographed brochure landed on their desks, showcasing a crumbling SA homestead complete with a wild garden on almost 2,000 acres.
Sydney couple Andrew Morphett and Peter Hayward took on the renovation of one of Australia's oldest properties. Picture: Supplied
An English village in South Australia
Located near Hamilton, in the mid-north of South Australia and just under two hours from Adelaide, Anlaby was originally established in 1839 and is home to the oldest Merino stud in South Australia and the second-oldest in the country.
Undoubtedly the estate's crown jewel is its 1860s, 35-room homestead. But Anlaby is far more than just one grand house.
Anlaby is far more than just one grand house. Picture: Supplied
“It’s not just one building,” explained the pair. “It’s a village of heritage structures — 28 of them are heritage-listed — across 150 acres, from shearing sheds and cottages, to the bones of what was once the grandest glass conservatory in the entire Southern Hemisphere.”
A heart over head decision
First visiting the property in the height of summer — during which the couple were hot, thirsty and overwhelmed — their initial reaction seemed like the death knell for the acreage as a project.
“We said: 'no way, too much!’” recalled Mr Hayward. “It was dusty, paint peeling everywhere, roofs collapsing … we were entirely out of our depth.”
But the undeniable magnetism of the property and its history — coupled with the huge number of possibilities — eventually proved irresistible. After a second visit in August, during which “the soul of the place” was revealed and the couple made an offer and signed the contract in October 2003.
"The allure was too strong,” added Mr Morphett. “It was never a logical decision. It was emotive — Anlaby chose us. We decided it was an opportunity too good to miss!"
Anlaby in the late 1800s. Picture: Supplied
Weekends of rubble and revival
With both the property and grounds in poor shape after years of neglect the duo faced a daunting schedule to begin its transformation.
“The first four-and-a-half years we travelled from Sydney to Adelaide on weekends,” Mr Morphett explained.
“Flying into Adelaide and driving to Anlaby we would work all weekend and then, when the alarm went off at 3.30am on Monday morning, we’d be in the car and off to the airport by 4.10 am and back in the Sydney office by 9am.
"Our weekends were filled with rubble, rot, and roof tiles. We patched walls and painted rooms, dug up century-old drains and pulled weeds. But piece by piece, room by room, garden bed by garden bed, we saw progress.”
The grand main house at Alanby. Picture: Supplied
Falling more in love with the 165-year-old house with each visit, in October 2008 the pair finally made the decision to pack up their Sydney lives and make the move to Anlaby permanently. Since then, the renovation has been a continuous process.
"It began with the essentials,” Mr Hayward said. “Sopping the leaks, rewiring the whole place and saving it from literal collapse!”
From rescue, they moved to revival, meticulously restoring the Manor House, a former farm manager’s office, the Head Gardener’s Cottage (a prefabricated villa from 1904), and the Coachman’s Cottage from 1905, now a guest stay.
"These aren’t facelifts they are archaeological labours," emphasised Mr Morphett. "Each building requires careful heritage research, skilled stonemasonry, and a lot of mud, dust, and joy.”
Inside the main house. Picture: Supplied
A labour of love
Since then, their vision for Anlaby has grown into an undertaking so vast that it has redefined their lives.
What started as 150 acres has expanded to nearly 2,000 acres, incorporating additional parcels of land, houses, and even the original shearing shed.
"We now have a commercially operating farm of a little under 2,000 acres," Mr Morphett said.
What started as 150 acres has expanded to nearly 2,000 acres, incorporating additional parcels of land, houses. Picture: Supplied
This expansion has involved monumental efforts, including nearly 30kms of fencing and 9kms of water lines to service their sheep. They've also painstakingly restored two additional Victorian stone villas dating from the 1870s and 1905, originally built for the manager and overseer.
“You don’t 'own’ a place like this,” continued Mr Morphett. "You become its caretaker. Every decision matters: from the colour of a hinge to how you prune a 150-year-old rose. The constraints can be tough. There are grants, yes, and thank heavens for them, but there’s also lots of red tape, difficulties sourcing authentic materials, and working at a pace that history demands — slowly and with intention to detail."
The original shearing shed has been renovated. Picture: Supplied
Their ultimate dream? The full restoration of Anlaby’s conservatory, once the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. With a Heritage Grant covering the stonework, glass and steel are next.
"We’ve finished enough that guests can now stay in three beautifully restored cottages, but the list of 'nexts' never ends," said Mr Hayward. "That’s the joy and the madness of living history. You’re never done."
A living, working enterprise
Whilst the main homestead remains their private retreat at its heart Anlaby is an agri-tourism property.
"The commercial aspect isn’t a side hustle,” Mr Hayward said. “It’s at the heart of how we bring people into the story of Anlaby. Plus, Anlaby is too special to keep to ourselves. The Coachman’s, Gardener’s and Manor Cottages are now open for guests.
The property now includes accomodation. Picture: Supplied
“We also run guided house and garden tours, open the property for events and concerts, and of course, each spring we host the Anlaby Spring Festival. It’s our favourite time of year — the gardens come alive, the music drifts through the air, and people fall in love with the property all over again.
“Beyond that, the property is available for private use: weddings, long-table lunches, editorial shoots, workshops — you name it. Everything we offer is anchored in authenticity. We don’t just invite people to visit Anlaby — we invite them to live inside it, even just for a weekend.”
In addition to tourism, they run a commercially operating farming business and merino stud, producing beautiful wool exclusively from the Anlaby sheep and turning it into a range of high-end woollen throws, scarves and lady’s wraps – and baby blankets, sold through their own wool business.
Guided tours are of the property and gardens are available. Picture: Supplied
Lessons learned
Despite the property dominating their lives for the last two decades, the lure of the historic homestead hasn’t waned over the years for the dynamic duo.
“It’s the way it holds its breath when you walk in,” Mr Hayward enthused.
“The hush of 100-year-old floorboards, the way Autumn creeps up the ivy of the manor and turns the house gold, or when we found old species tulips blooming that hadn’t flowered in decades. There’s a presence here — Anlaby doesn’t just show you beauty, she makes you feel something ancient and real.”
The gift shop at Alanby. Picture: Supplied
Despite the monumental effort and countless challenges, regrets are absent for the pair of go-getters.
"Not a single one," Mr Hayward affirmed. "It has been the hardest, most glorious thing we’ve ever done. We’ve made many, many mistakes along the way. We’ve poured ourselves into Anlaby, and in return, she’s given us purpose, beauty, and a legacy we’re proud to share. Would we do it again? In a heartbeat. Only next time, maybe with slightly better knees!”
English (US) · 