Symmons Plains Estate facts for kids
Symmons Plains Estate is a really old farm and big house located near Perth, Tasmania. This huge property, about 856 hectares (that's like 2,100 acres!), has been around since the 1820s. The main house, built in 1839, is a beautiful example of Georgian style. It's so important that it's listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register, which means it's protected because of its history. It was also once listed on another important register called the Register of the National Estate.
Contents
The Story of Symmons Plains Estate
Early Beginnings and the Youl Family
The land for Symmons Plains Estate was first given to a person named Rev. John Youl in the 1820s. The main house was built in 1839. What's really cool is that the Youl family lived in this house and on this farm for seven generations! That's a very long time for one family to stay in the same place.
From Farm to Race Track
Later, in 1960, a member of the Youl family named John Youl became a famous racing driver. He decided to use a part of the Symmons Plains property to create a race track. This track is now known as Symmons Plains Raceway and is a popular place for car races.
A Surprising News Story
In 2011, Symmons Plains Estate suddenly became famous around the world. A magazine called Women's Day printed a story saying that the famous author J.K. Rowling (who wrote the Harry Potter books!) had bought the house for a huge amount of money – 10 million Australian dollars!
Many news places, like the Daily Mail and the Sunrise Breakfast Show, quickly shared this story. However, it turned out to be completely false! Other news groups, like The Examiner and ABC's Media Watch, quickly showed that the story wasn't true. It's a good reminder that not everything you read in the news is always correct.
Who Owns It Now?
In reality, Symmons Plains Estate was bought by a farming company called Clovelly Tasmania. This company is part of a larger group called the Ingleby Company. So, while it wasn't J.K. Rowling, the estate is still being looked after and used for farming today.
