The 12 trophy homes overlooked during the past year that are still available for buyers

Woodlands, the 6,130-square-metre Brighton estate with a striking European inspired residence, remains on the market, having returned to the web listings in early 2012. Ian Jackson at Kay & Burton has the South Road listing, which hit the market in both 2009 and 2010. The six-bedroom residence was designed by local architect Jon Friedrich within Paul Bangay-designed gardens. Its foyer has a sweeping wrought-iron staircase with marble flooring. The estate comes with a guest house, flood-lit mod-grass tennis court and glassed indoor pool and spa. Buyers must ask Jackson for price guidance for Woodlands, which was initially listed with $10 million-plus hopes. It reputedly sits on the suburb's largest private landholding, the block costing $1 million in 2002.

5.

Arts guru Leo Schofield is still seeking buyers for his early colonial Tasmanian sandstone residence, Dysart House, marketed since late 2010 through Charlotte Peterswald agent Brian Watchorn. The 1842 residence comes with a music room, billiard room, commercial kitchen and 10 bedrooms and has been Schofield's base since he departed Bronte House. Dysart House’s past owners include Sydneysiders Paul and Yvonne Maule, along with actor Reg Livermore. Dysart House has been marketed as suited for adaption to boutique accommodation, restaurant, or even as cooking school, the state’s current big thing. Its stables could be also be used as an antique centre. Located about 40 minutes from Hobart, it represents the best of listings in Tasmania. The former coaching inn stands on six hectares in the historic village of Kempton, where its first occupant, ex-convict embezzler-turned-innkeeper William Ellis, is buried in the nearby cemetery. Designed in the Greek Revival (Georgian) style, its main facade is breakfront with five bays. The portico has square and round Tuscan columns, framing the central entrance with four-panel door, fanlight and half sidelights. Built in 1842, it was originally named 'The Green Ponds Hotel' and served as an inn, public house and residence until the 1860s. Schofield undertook an extensive restoration over in the past six years. More than $1.2 million is being sought.

6.

Historic Berrima farm Mereworth remains listed for sale by the Oxley family. The 500-hectare property ranks among the most intact Southern Highlands farms, but it is possible to be subdivided before or after sale. It had initial $11 million hopes. It has been held by the pioneering tea-merchant family since it was bought in 1963 after almost 100 years of ownership by the Cowley family. The nine-bedroom 1964 sandstone house was designed by architect John Amory, with a French provincial feel. Its formal lounge room comes with a baronial fireplace and raked ceilings. Shuttered windows and french doors frame the views of the mature garden, once described by Elwyn Swane as one of the finest by landscaper Paul Sorenson. It is listed through Chris Meares from Meares & Associates, who describes it as the best listing since Reg and Joy Grundy paid $15 million for Comfort Hill, the 200-hectare Sutton Forest property from adman-turned-farmer Michael Ball and his wife, Daria, in 2007. The property, with two creeks, 12 dams and seven bores, suits grazing cattle, sheep and horses. Mereworth's occupancy dates back to John Atkinson's 1820 settlement. His brother, James, owned Oldbury at Sutton Forest.