26 Paperbark Drive, Pokolbin, NSW 2320

For anyone ready to leave the work of acreage behind without giving up privacy, greenery or a sense of space, this property is a particularly appealing answer.  For those living on top of others and in desperate need of space - this is for you too.

Privately positioned within The Elms at The Vintage, the home has just one immediate neighbour, with parkland wrapping around the side and rear. You still get the outlook, the trees, the birds and the feeling of being surrounded by green — just without the mowing, fencing, paddocks and constant upkeep.

The house itself is beautifully resolved and easy to live in. There is enough space for family and friends to stay, but not so much that the home becomes another job. Four bedrooms, generous living areas and an oversized garage provide all the practicality you need, while recent updates including renovated bathrooms, herringbone oak flooring, large sky lights and soft wool carpet mean there is very little to do.

The outdoor spaces have been designed in much the same way. Vine-covered sun traps give you somewhere lovely to sit through the cooler months, the gas log fire makes winter evenings easy, and the small private pool is exactly enough to take the edge off a hot Hunter Valley summer without becoming a maintenance burden.

The yard is fully fenced for the dog, while the parkland immediately beyond gives you somewhere to walk without getting in the car.

And that is really what makes this home work so well: life becomes simpler.

Take the golf buggy to NINETEEN for dinner, play a round on The Vintage course, head to Château Élan for the spa, or be at some of Pokolbin's best restaurants and cellar doors within minutes. When you want to go away, lock the door and leave. When family comes to stay, there is room for everyone. And when you are home, there is still enough garden, privacy and greenery to never feel as though you have downsized too far.