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5515 Main South Road, Wattle Flat. Pics: realestate.com.au

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If walls could talk, this Wattle Flat home would have plenty to say – starting with stories about its original owner John Clarke.

Built in 1843, 5515 Main South Rd is one of the Fleurieu Peninsula’s most significant historic homesteads, with a history dating back some 180 years.

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5515 Main South Road, Wattle Flat. Pics: realestate.com.au

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5515 Main South Road, Wattle Flat. Pics: realestate.com.au

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5515 Main South Road, Wattle Flat. Pics: realestate.com.au

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5515 Main South Road, Wattle Flat. Pics: realestate.com.au

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Listed for sale for the first time in 10 years, selling agent Nick van Vliet, of Ouwens Casserly Real Estate, said the property was attracting plenty of attention from history buffs.

“The property comes with such an interesting story and in fact, I had one inquiry from a distant relative of the original owner … that just shows how significant the listing is,” he said.

“John Clarke, of course, was the first European settler in that area (Wattle Flat) and arrived in Holdfast Bay, from Ireland, in 1836.

“He had to carry his belongings through the water to the beach, then through the sand hills to the settlement.

“Together with other settlers, they then organised tents or built reed huts, and with very limited provisions available, learned to be resourceful to survive.

“Kangaroo, emu, fish and parrots were on the diet.”

5515 Main South Road, Wattle Flat. Pics: realestate.com.au

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5515 Main South Road, Wattle Flat. Pics: realestate.com.au

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5515 Main South Road, Wattle Flat. Pics: realestate.com.au

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5515 Main South Road, Wattle Flat. Pics: realestate.com.au

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Mr van Vliet said the first formal structure built on the land was a slab hut with thatched roof, before the two-storey homestead was built in 1843.

Both dwellings still stand proudly today, along with a number of original outbuildings.

“John and his wife Catherine ended up having 13 children and living the rest of their lives on the property,” Mr van Vliet said.

While the home was built with family living in mind, the 10.12ha property also offers a range of opportunities for modern-day buyers.

The main, two-storey homestead comprises four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a stately main living room with a feature fireplace, a second living or dining room, and a French provincial-style kitchen.

Additional accommodation is found in the one-bedroom pool house and the original 1838 Wattle Hills Cottage, perfect for use as an Airbnb.

The property also features a salt chlorinated swimming pool, six paddocks and two small holding yards, multiple outbuildings, horse shelters and mains power and water.

“There’s a lot of potential here,” Mr Van Vliet said.

“You could lease out all three properties as holiday accommodation, so the cottage, the pool house and the main home, or just two of the three and live in the main home.

“However, we also had inquiries from people who just want the property for their livestock, but it’s also suited to multi-generational families.

“Whoever it sells to, we hope it’s someone who appreciates the history, someone who wants to become the next custodian.”

Offers for the property close on May 23 at 3pm.

The property last sold in 2012 for $900,000, according to CoreLogic.