Fairfax Media director Michael Anderson sells Hopewood House in Southern Highlands

Hopewood House, the historic matrimonial Southern Highlands mansion owned by Fairfax Media director Michael Anderson and his wife, Susie, has been sold –  and it's presumably not likely to continue operating as a joyous wedding reception locality for hire.

It's been sold reputedly for about $5.25 million, according to local Southern Highlands chatter, although initial reports had put the sale through Ballard Property at around $6 million. 

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The acclaimed artist Tim Storrier and his wife, Janet, who last month listed their Bathurst rural estate (pictured above), bought Hopewood House, which was initially listed with $9 million price hopes two year ago.

It was built in 1884 by Ben Osborne and his wife, Lucy, in the grand Dutch colonial style.

Now it is set on about five hectares of gardens on Bowral's outskirts, and the Andersons restored the house and its gardens after paying $4.25 million in 2007.

The Storriers' Bathurst property,  Blackdown, is listed for sale with $4 million plus hopes through Bill Bridges at Ballard Property and James Thompson, of The Professionals Bathurst.