Mawallok in Western Victoria sold subject to FIRB

Mawallok in Western Victoria has been sold to Australia's largest importer of wool into China, Lingnan Wen, subject to FIRB approval.

The sheep station near Beaufort in Western Victoria had price expectations above $25 million.

With a carrying capacity for 30,000 dry-sheep equivalents (DSE), the 2349-hectare heritage-listed sheep station comes with a 10-bedroom homestead, built in 1908 in the Arts and Crafts architecture style.

Mawallok has one of the most significant historic gardens in Australia.

Owned by the Russell family since 1847, the property near Beaufort was bought by Jocelyn and Peter Mitchell in 1980.

Their son Stephen married Serena, whose grandmother was a Russell – so that when the couple took over in 2009, ownership came full circle.

Its William Guilfoyle-designed English gardens were designed in 1909 to complement the Arts and Crafts homestead.

Guilfoyle, arguably Australia greatest garden designer, laid out the Royal Botanic Gardens from 1873-1909.

Mawallok is credited as his last known, and perhaps his grandest, homestead garden design.

In the 1920s, Sir John Monash designed the 9ha lake.

In 1924 Major Alex Russell, a keen golfer, designed the six-hole golf course.

The sale has yet to settle being subject to Foreign Investment Review Board approval processes.

He owns one of the biggest buyers of Australian wool, the Jiangsu-based Tianyu Wool.