Houghy,
I used a Greenfields ride-on down on my block (around the farm house) -
http://www.greenfield.com.au/rideon.php. Easy to use, belt driven making maintenance extremely easy, no gears. 22hp with a 24" cut deck. Not sure how large an area you need to mow...
Alternatively, buy some goats and tether them. You only have to move them now and then. Indeed a franchise contractor to do the lawns is also easy if you have the money.