Canberra's most popular open house on Saturday boasted multi-storey comfort, lakefront vistas, generous front and back yards and backs on to a quiet, exclusive Yarralumla street.
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Unfortunately for the thousands of interested inspectors, the property was not for sale.
Instead, the current tenants, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove, gave the public the chance to see all the trappings of a Canberra residence fit for a queen, or at least her vice-regal representative.
More than 3000 people had passed through the front gates of Government House by lunchtime, while crowds queued almost all the way back to Dunrossil Drive to walk through the ground floor of the residence.
Visitors had an up-close view of the state entrance and hallway, drawing rooms, the dining hall and other rooms through the building, as well as viewing portraits and medals collected and received over the years.
The visit was a first for Kurt and Jo Fountain, who toured the building with daughters Charlotte and Sybella.
The family has lived in Canberra for several years, but they had not previously taken advantage of the annual open day to visit the building.
"I love the decor, love the garden outside, the artwork is beautiful and I liked that there were people around to give a bit of insight into each of the rooms," Jo said.
Charlotte and Sybella, on the other hand, preferred the outdoors, with plenty of space to run around on the lawns.
Families set up picnics on the manicured lawns, which had benefited from the heavy rain midweek.
The sun shone on the day, however, giving people the opportunity to explore the freshly-blooming gardens on the 54 hectares of parkland.
SES volunteers ran a sausage sizzle, cake stall and tea and coffee stand on the day.
Organisers expected more than 4000 people to visit the house by day's end.
Starting life as the homestead of the Yarralumla Station, the building was transformed into its current vice-regal residence through renovations and expansions when land for the federal capital territory was acquired in the early 20th century.
For those who missed out on the day, the Governor-General's website has set up a virtual tour of Government House, providing 360-degree views inside and outside the residence.
