'Romantic' Tassie church and cemetery on the market for $150,000-plus
For at least $150,000, you could have a unique new address and career.
A glorious Gothic Revival church and cemetery in the grounds is for sale in a tiny Tasmanian village and the new owner will become the cemetery manager.
Any changes to St Mary the Virgin Church - built in 1848 - at 31 Church Road in Gretna will need to be checked off with Heritage Tasmania and the Central Highlands Council.
The picturesque and affordable property, which has connected power, does need a handyman's work and is not for the faint hearted, the listing advises. Offers of more than $150,000 are sought - a sum which is a tenth of the current Sydney median house price.
Listing: see more images of the listing here
"The romantic notion of owning a historic Gothic Revival church in the country is a reality here in the picturesque rolling hills of Gretna and the small community it rests within," the listing, on the books of EIS Property, says.
"From a bygone era, built in 1848, this Church of St Mary the Virgin and surrounding ACTIVE cemetery (to be managed by the new owners), offers an unique opportunity to explore how you might convert/use this very special former church (STCA) to highlight the historic and heritage significance of the property while respecting the families and community who may visit and have loved ones resting inside the cemetery grounds."
STCA refers to subject to council approval.
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The property covers more than 8000 square metres in the island's verdant south east. The town of Gretna, at the last census, had only a touch more than 200 residents.
The buyer will take on the role of managing the operational cemetery, 45 minutes from Hobart.
However, it won't be as simple as stepping into the position when the vendor and buyer sign the contract - a condition is that the buyer must apply for a cemetery manager's license from the government regulator, which is the industry standard.
Prominent Tasmanian woodcarver Ellen Nora Payne is responsible for the ornate furniture in the building, which features soaring leadlight windows with "cusped heads" and an intricate web of exposed beams.