- Price: EOI
- Location: Porongurup
- Area: 12.95ha
- Agent: Private sale
- Contact: Amanda Phipps 0431 474 970
FOR the past 24 years, Karribank has been a labour of love for John and Chris Blythe.
The popular accommodation and function venue at Porongurup has a rich history, arguably being the oldest continuously running accommodation venue in Western Australia.
The property was established in 1913 by Hugh Faulkner, who came from a pioneering farming family with one of their achievements being starting Albany’s first dairy.
By the 1930s Karribank was renowned as one of WA’s finest country holiday destinations.
The property changed hands from the Faulkners and went on to have several owners before the Blythe family acquired it in 1997.
Mr Blythe had grown up in the Kimberley and spent some time jackarooing, while Ms Blythe was from Perth, and with their children, Dan, Amanda and Jody, had been farming at Narrikup before they started their next venture at Karribank.
“Karribank was very run down when we came here and with renovations over the years, it’s safe to say that we saved it from falling down,” Mr Blythe said.
The couple had been working in rural tourism since 1989 and saw the potential that Karribank posed, although they knew it wasn’t going to be an easy road.
“Knowing that we had a journey ahead of us, we bought and moved to Karribank and it’s been a great journey,” he said.
“We’ve tried to maintain the essence of the property’s history while also bringing it to a standard that is acceptable for today.”
In maintaining its history, the Blythes have never built any new buildings as they have a passion for restoring older buildings to their former glory in a modern yet tasteful manner.
However, the gardens have been revolutionised, which is a credit to Ms Blythe.
Today one of Karribank’s main draw cards is the vibrant bar, which was set up by the couple and Dan who in the past few years, has been a driving force for the business.
The bar is open Friday nights, and Saturday and Sunday, with award-winning local beer, cider, ginger beer and fantastic local wine and food on offer.
The Karribank estate offers a beautiful setting for weddings and other functions, which is complemented by an array of accommodation in the form of 20 cottages, which collectively can sleep almost 60 people.
For functions, Karribank benefits from a neighbouring caravan park and several other, nearby accommodation options.
The newly-renovated function centre includes a commercial kitchen which can be leased out separately to Karribank itself.
Hence, the Karribank property and business lends itself to a diverse range of options for a new owner to build on the legacy of the Faulkner and Blythe families.
The property and business is being offered on a walk-in, walk-out basis, with Mr Blythe indicating that he can assist the new owner as required.
“I’m still able and keen to work and I’m happy to be a consultant for the new owner and be called upon where needed,” he said.
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