Vaucluse, the Northern Midlands Tasmanian farm sells to United States hedge fund

Vaucluse, the historic 2654-hectare Tasmanian farm near Launceston with 1830s Georgian mansion, has been sold to the United States food and agriculture conglomerate Cargill, for $20 million.

The Conara, Northern Midlands acquisition joins Cargill's earlier hedge fund investments including Billabong Station in the NSW Eurongilly Valley and sugar cane farm Marwood near Mackay in north Queensland.

Vaucluse was sold by Michael and Susie Warner through Michael Warren of Landmark Harcourts Tasmania.

The Warners ran about 14,000 merino sheep and 400 angus cattle on the property. They also grew potatoes, poppies, grass seeds, canola and cereals across around 700 hectares. 

The trophy 1830s home was possibly built to a design by Robert Bostock, adding to an existing two storey section erected in 1820.

In 1847 John Bayles bought Vaucluse from the trustees of Robert Bostock’s estate for £9,057. He was a magistrate for the district.