First published 10 Nov 2026, 4:00am
This 4.16 hectare home at 8 Dandaloo Ln, Cootharaba, became recognised as a land for wildlife property in 2020, and is now on the market for a new buyer.
A 4.16 hectare home is on the market after having been transformed into a wildlife sanctuary full of koalas, echidnas and more than 6,000 trees.
The seven-bedroom property at 8 Dandaloo Ln, Cootharaba, has two separate houses with enough space for three groups of people to live completely independently.
More than 6,000 trees were planted by the owners over eight years, and the property now has bushwalking trails, a koala corridor and 50 monitored nesting boxes.
Bought by Michaela and Robert Vanderstoep eight years ago, the retired couple turned the property into an extension of the national park surrounding it.
“We’ve worked eight years full-time on here,” Ms Vanderstoep said. “We’ve planted over 6,000 trees.”
“We wanted the opportunity to do some restoration and leave the land a better place than when we found it.”
MORE NEWS: Experts warn of $385m insurance hit ahead of deadly El Nino summer
Queensland scores one of the week’s best auction sales despite lowest clearance rate nationwide
How a humble family home sold despite Brisbane’s low clearance rates
Two buildings are spread across the site, with space for three separate households to live their own lives across seven bedrooms.
The main home is a sprawling Queenslander with five bedrooms and a multipurpose room, with each floor having its own kitchen, bathroom and entrance.
Meanwhile, a one-bedroom GJ Gardner home rests just 300m nearby, offering its own view of the acreage home’s massive backyard.
Ms Vanderstoep said the couple was looking to downsize to smaller acreage property, but had grown to love the wildlife they would interact with every day.
“The echidna comes to the house,” she said. “We see evidence of him every morning, where he’s been.”
Koalas and echidnas are regularly seen throughout the property, which is surrounded by a national park.
The couple will be parting their acreage home after it became recognised as a land for wildlife property: complete with bushwalking trails, 50 monitored nesting boxes, a koala corridor, fruit trees and four raised veggie beds.
The home is being sold by CJRE agent Chris Jarrett, seeking offers above $2.75m.
The home is being sold by CJRE and is seeking offers above $2.75m.
“It’s a practical arrangement for grandparents, parents and adult children who want to live close to each other while keeping their own routines,” he said.
“The trails, the nesting boxes and the places to sit among the trees make this somewhere you can spend time exploring, rather than simply looking out at acreage from the veranda.
“You’re approximately five minutes from Boreen Point and Lake Cootharaba, so kayaking, sailing or a trip to the lake can be part of everyday life.”
Help us improve your reading experience
Got a minute? Your feedback will help us build a better experience for you.
