3408 Huon Highway, Franklin, TAS 7113

Positioned​ ​in​ ​the​ ​very​ ​heart​ ​of​ ​Franklin,​ ​a​ ​picturesque​ ​riverside​ ​village,​ ​this​ ​extraordinary​ ​property​ ​blends​ ​heritage​ ​charm​ ​with​ ​inspired​ ​modern​ ​living​ ​and​ ​packed​ ​with​ ​artistic​ ​flair.​ ​Constructed​ ​in​ ​1860,​ ​the​ ​original​ ​stone​ ​church​ ​section​ ​stands​ ​as​ ​a​ ​testament​ ​to​ ​Franklin’s​ ​long-standing​ ​history,​ ​while​ ​the​ ​adjoining​ ​hall​ ​has​ ​been​ ​tastefully​ ​and​ ​thoughtfully​ ​transformed​ ​into​ ​a​ ​character-filled​ ​residence​ ​—​ ​together​ ​offering​ ​a​ ​rare​ ​and​ ​versatile​ ​property​ ​with​ ​multiple​ ​options​ ​for​ ​both​ ​residential​ ​and​ ​business​ ​opportunities.

The​ ​light-filled​ ​church​ ​front,​ ​with​ ​soaring​ ​ceilings​ ​and​ ​distinctive​ ​arched​ ​windows,​ ​create​ ​a​ ​fabulous​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​space​ ​as​ ​you​ ​step​ ​inside​ ​through​ ​the​ ​solid​ ​timber​ ​doors.​ ​This​ ​space​ ​has​ ​hosted​ ​art​ ​exhibitions,​ ​workshops,​ ​performances​ ​and​ ​private​ ​events,​ ​showcasing​ ​its​ ​incredible​ ​flexibility.​ ​The​ ​addition​ ​of​ ​a​ ​contemporary​ ​accommodation​ ​pod​ ​complements​ ​the​ ​building’s​ ​timeless​ ​features,​ ​creating​ ​an​ ​artistic,​ ​soulful​ ​atmosphere.​ ​Meeting​ ​a​ ​gold​ ​standard​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Heritage​ ​Council,​ ​the​ ​post-modern​ ​cube​ ​stands​ ​independent​ ​within​ ​the​ ​room​ ​consisting​ ​of​ ​a​ ​mezzanine​ ​bedroom​ ​from​ ​which​ ​the​ ​views​ ​over​ ​the​ ​church​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Huon​ ​River​ ​are​ ​quite​ ​special.​ ​Underneath​ ​is​ ​a​ ​stylish​ ​bathroom​ ​with​ ​shower​ ​and​ ​separate​ ​bath.​ ​Around​ ​the​ ​back,​ ​a​ ​kitchenette​ ​completes​ ​this​ ​area​ ​to​ ​be​ ​self-contained,​ ​also​ ​practical​ ​for​ ​event​ ​catering.​ ​A​ ​large​ ​fan-forced​ ​slow-combustion​ ​wood​ ​fire​ ​along​ ​with​ ​the​ ​thick​ ​walls,​ ​keeps​ ​the​ ​church​ ​warm​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​cooler​ ​months.

Through​ ​the​ ​gates​ ​into​ ​the​ ​fully​ ​fenced​ ​yard,​ ​leads​ ​to​ ​the​ ​beautiful​ ​arched​ ​timber​ ​doors​ ​to​ ​the​ ​residence​ ​at​ ​the​ ​rear.​ ​Once​ ​the​ ​Church​ ​Hall,​ ​it​ ​retains​ ​many​ ​of​ ​its​ ​enchanting​ ​hallmarks​ ​-​ ​from​ ​wide​ ​hardwood​ ​floorboards,​ ​etched​ ​with​ ​Sunday​ ​school​ ​carvings​ ​and​ ​a​ ​cathedral​ ​ceiling​ ​and​ ​stone​ ​arches,​ ​stained​ ​glass​ ​and​ ​mosaic​ ​stairs​ ​and​ ​floors.​ ​​ ​The​ ​open​ ​plan​ ​living​ ​space,​ ​is​ ​divided​ ​into​ ​a​ ​lounge,​ ​dining​ ​and​ ​extra​ ​space​ ​ideal​ ​as​ ​a​ ​reading​ ​nook​ ​or​ ​study.​ ​Warmed​ ​by​ ​a​ ​slow-combustion​ ​wood​ ​fire,​ ​adding​ ​to​ ​the​ ​wonderful​ ​atmosphere​ ​and​ ​energy​ ​efficient​ ​hydronic​ ​heating​ ​throughout,​ ​you​ ​will​ ​be​ ​comfortable​ ​all​ ​year​ ​round.​ ​Up​ ​the​ ​mosaic​ ​stairs,​ ​on​ ​the​ ​mezzanine​ ​level,​ ​the​ ​master​ ​bedroom​ ​features​ ​a​ ​walk-in​ ​robe,​ ​while​ ​the​ ​spacious​ ​bathroom​ ​combines​ ​William​ ​Morris​ ​English​ ​wallpaper​ ​with​ ​weathered​ ​timber​ ​features​ ​for​ ​a​ ​timeless​ ​appeal.

Stepping​ ​through​ ​to​ ​the​ ​country-style​ ​kitchen​ ​is​ ​a​ ​further​ ​delight​ ​for​ ​the​ ​senses.​ ​Rich​ ​in​ ​history​ ​and​ ​equipped​ ​with​ ​European​ ​appliances,​ ​timber​ ​bench-tops,​ ​and​ ​an​ ​amazing​ ​decorative​ ​mosaic​ ​floor,​ ​this​ ​room​ ​tells​ ​many​ ​stories​ ​of​ ​its​ ​past.​ ​Bi-fold​ ​doors​ ​open​ ​out​ ​to​ ​the​ ​entertaining​ ​deck​ ​with​ ​a​ ​gorgeous​ ​mature​ ​Olive​ ​tree​ ​and​ ​the​ ​stone​ ​garden​ ​wall​ ​as​ ​the​ ​backdrop.​ ​Connecting​ ​the​ ​church​ ​to​ ​the​ ​main​ ​hall​ ​residence,​ ​the​ ​former​ ​vestry​ ​is​ ​now​ ​an​ ​additional​ ​bedroom,​ ​opening​ ​out​ ​to​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​via​ ​French​ ​doors.​ ​Ideal​ ​as​ ​a​ ​guest​ ​room​ ​or​ ​additional​ ​B&B​ ​bedroom.​ ​All​ ​together,​ ​the​ ​property​ ​offers​ ​3​ ​bedrooms​ ​and​ ​2​ ​bathrooms.​ ​There​ ​are​ ​3​ ​toilets,​ ​the​ ​3rd​ ​one​ ​comes​ ​with​ ​its​ ​own​ ​fun​ ​story.

The​ ​garden​ ​is​ ​well​ ​thought​ ​through.​ ​Terraced​ ​at​ ​the​ ​back​ ​with​ ​a​ ​side​ ​gate​ ​provides​ ​easy​ ​rear​ ​access​ ​for​ ​mulch​ ​or​ ​storage​ ​of​ ​a​ ​trailer​ ​or​ ​boat.​ ​A​ ​stone​ ​and​ ​timber​ ​garden​ ​shed​ ​is​ ​handy​ ​for​ ​the​ ​tools.​ ​The​ ​garden​ ​is​ ​pretty​ ​and​ ​yet​ ​low-maintenance​ ​and​ ​wonderfully​ ​private.​ ​The​ ​stone​ ​wall​ ​runs​ ​the​ ​full​ ​length​ ​of​ ​the​ ​yard​ ​and​ ​is​ ​a​ ​beautiful​ ​feature.​ ​Meticulously​ ​maintained,​ ​the​ ​buildings​ ​and​ ​grounds​ ​are​ ​in​ ​fantastic​ ​condition,​ ​a​ ​real​ ​testament​ ​to​ ​the​ ​owner​ ​who​ ​believes​ ​he​ ​is​ ​merely​ ​the​ ​custodian​ ​of​ ​this​ ​fabulous​ ​property.​ ​A​ ​framed,​ ​original​ ​wax-sealed​ ​deed​ ​of​ ​title​ ​is​ ​included​ ​—​ ​a​ ​wonderful​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​history​ ​on​ ​display.

Directly​ ​opposite​ ​the​ ​property​ ​is​ ​a​ ​park​ ​reserve​ ​leading​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Huon​ ​River,​ ​with​ ​views​ ​of​ ​boats,​ ​black​ ​swans​ ​and​ ​Franklin’s​ ​historic​ ​waterfront.​ ​The​ ​vibrant​ ​local​ ​community​ ​is​ ​home​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Wooden​ ​Boat​ ​Centre,​ ​Palais​ ​Theatre,​ ​Living​ ​Boat​ ​Trust​ ​and​ ​Huon​ ​Rowing​ ​Club,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​a​ ​selection​ ​of​ ​eateries​ ​to​ ​choose​ ​from.​ ​Just​ ​minutes​ ​from​ ​Huonville,​ ​the​ ​main​ ​hub​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Huon​ ​Valley​ ​and​ ​a​ ​picturesque​ ​40-minute​ ​drive​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Hobart​ ​CBD.
Zoned​ ​“Village”,​ ​allowing​ ​for​ ​both​ ​residential​ ​and​ ​business​ ​use,​ ​this​ ​property​ ​offers​ ​enormous​ ​versatility​ ​—​ ​as​ ​a​ ​home,​ ​creative​ ​hub,​ ​accommodation​ ​business,​ ​or​ ​inspiring​ ​place​ ​to​ ​call​ ​home.​ ​In​ ​recent​ ​years,​ ​the​ ​property​ ​has​ ​been​ ​both​ ​a​ ​residence​ ​and​ ​a​ ​popular​ ​award​ ​winning​ ​B&B​ ​accommodation​ ​operating​ ​as​ ​Abbey​ ​On​ ​Main.

A​ ​rare​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​own​ ​a​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​Tasmanian​ ​history​ ​—​ ​beautifully​ ​restored,​ ​richly​ ​storied,​ ​and​ ​ready​ ​for​ ​its​ ​next​ ​chapter.
Please​ ​contact​ ​us​ ​for​ ​further​ ​information​ ​or​ ​to​ ​arrange​ ​a​ ​private​ ​viewing.