Jenny and Sam Bailey have listed their Croppa Creek properties for sale ahead of their move to Tamworth.

WELL-KNOWN quadriplegic farmer Sam Bailey and his wife Jenny have listed their north-west New South Wales’ mixed farming operation, ending almost 60 years of single-family ownership.

The 1214ha Pine Hills and Mossgiel are situated 16km east of Croppa Creek and 47km north-west of Warialda.

The gently undulating to level country features a mix of soil types from Golden Triangle black basalt and chocolate creek flats on the western side through to a mix of red chocolate soils to the east.

Originally, the Bailey family purchased the adjoining property Bardin in 1964 and added Pine Hills in 1991 and Mossgiel some years later.

Harvesting cereals on Mossgiel, Croppa Creek, one of two properties listed for sale by Sam and Jenny Bailey. Photo: Moree Real Estate/JA Macgregor Livestock and Property

Sam’s parents Graham and Libby lived at Bardin until 2007 when they sold and retired to Goondiwindi.

Sam and Jenny, who were the subject of an ABC TV Australian Story program in 2000, are now downsizing to Loomberah, near Tamworth.

This will allow Sam to focus on public speaking and Jenny to spend more time writing, painting and horse riding.

Sam said locals were already showing good early interest in Pine Hills and Mossgiel.

“This is tightly held country that will give someone a once in a lifetime crack at buying. Jenny and I hope the new owners will love the place like we have loved it over the last 24 years.”

He said listing the property for sale has been one of the hardest decisions he has had to make.

“I have been on that country all my life and it was always my intention to come back and take the reins.

“However, a car accident left me with a broken neck and in a wheelchair.”

“I conquered my disability and farmed for 24 years, but the time has come for us to move closer to town and family.”

Around 162ha of the 676ha Pine Hills and 447ha of the 539ha Mossgiel are farmed and leased to a neighbour who is currently growing barley.

The remaining 605ha has been destocked since 2019 and is growing an abundance of natural pastures.

Croppa Creek property Pine Hills is being offered for sale by Sam and Jenny Bailey. Photo: Moree Real Estate/JA Macgregor Livestock and Property

Pine Hills has 4.5km of double frontage and 900m of single frontage to Croppa Creek and it is on these highly fertile flats that Sam and Jenny have previously run beef cattle.

The properties are watered by five bores and 12 dams.

The circa-1916 Pine Hills homestead, built from cypress pine cut and sawn on the property, was renovated in 2020 and features large rooms with high ceilings and wide verandas with views.

Other infrastructure includes a workshop, machinery sheds, a four-stand shearing shed, sheep yards, piggery and stable/saddle room and steel cattle yards.

Mossgiel has a three-bedroom house, renovated in the early 2000s, and four-bay car shed.

Pine Hills and Mossgiel will be auctioned by Moree Real Estate and JA McGregor Livestock and Property on August 31.