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National Trust Of Australia S. H. Ervin Gallery From its elevated position on Observatory Hill in The Rocks, the S.H. Ervin Gallery is renowned for presenting exhibitions that focus on the richness and diversity of Australian art, both historic and contemporary and present it in new contexts. In addition, the Gallery has developed a reputation for its public program of talks and special events. Lindesay Built in 1834, Lindesay was the first colonial house built in the Gothic Revival style. With picturesque views of the harbour across landscaped gardens, the house contains a fine collection of English and Colonial furniture. Old Government House Old Government House was built between 1799 and 1816 and is Australia’s oldest public building. Set in 260 acres of parkland, with over twenty beautifully furnished rooms, the house is essential viewing for those interested in history, architecture, decorative arts and building restoration. Experiment Farm Cottage Experiment Farm Cottage takes you back to the first years of European settlement in Australia. The convict James Ruse first occupied the site in 1789. In 1793 he sold his land to Surgeon Harris who built a charming Indian bungalow. The cottage contains a fine collection of Australian Colonial furniture while the cellar houses a museum about the life of James Ruse. Vienna Cottage Built in 1871, this simple sandstone cottage has survived largely unaltered. A visit provides a rare and authentic glimpse into Hunters Hill life before the age of soaring real estate values and gentrification. The adjoining orchard is ideal for picnics. Ahimsa This bushland estate was created in the 1930s by Marie Byles the noted feminist and conservationist. A devout Buddhist, the property includes her meditation hut, the Hut of Happy Omen. In accordance with Miss Byles’ wishes the property is open during daylight hours to all who respect the Hindu virtue of ahimsa, which is to abstain from causing hurt and harm. Eryldene Designed by William Hardy Wilson for Professor E.G. Waterhouse in 1913, Eryldene is one of Australia’s earliest and best examples of the Colonial Revival style. Professor Waterhouse, a world authority on camellias created its famous garden. A visit to Eryldene takes you back to the gracious world of Sydney’s inter-war intelligentsia. The Stella James House In 1933 Estelle James and Clare Stevenson, flat dwellers from the Eastern Suburbs, commissioned Walter Burley Griffin to design this small cottage as their weekend retreat. Deceptively simple, the house is a masterful expression of Griffin’s design philosophy. The house is essential viewing for devotees of organic architecture. Wirrimbirra Sanctuary This 98 hectare wildlife sanctuary was created to preserve the original ‘Bargo Bush’. Great for walks, trails and picnics. Back-packer style accommodation available. Woodford Academy Built as an inn during the 1840s, it was later used by Alfred Fairfax as a mountain retreat and then a guest house. In 1906 John McManamey opened a boys school here, the Woodford Academy. This fascinating complex of buildings contains features reflecting every period of its long history. Norman Lindsay Gallery It was here that the prolific and controversial artist Norman Lindsay (1879-1969) created the etchings, oils, watercolours, pen drawings and novels for which he became famous. Over the years Lindsay transformed his estate by adding classical colonnades and a Roman courtyard to the house and embellishing the grounds with fountains, and sculptures of nymphs and satyrs ingeniously wrought in cement. The house, painting studio, etching studio and 42 acre grounds are all open to view. Everglades Gardens Created by Henri Van de Velde and Paul Sorenson in the 1930s Everglades is Australia’s most spectacular inter-war period garden. Drawing from the great tradition of European gardening as well as the Australian bush, Everglades will charm you with its grace and beauty. With its winding paths, sculptures, modern style house and spectacular views of the Jamison Valley it is a delight in every season. Tomago Built by Richard and Maria Windeyer in the 1840s this gracious sandstone villa was the centrepiece of a large estate. With its family chapel and remnants of the nineteenth century pleasure gardens the house is closely identified with three generations of one of Australia’s most distinguished families. Grossmann House This substantial townhouse was built in 1870 by the successful merchant Isaac Beckett. Located in one of NSW’s finest mid-Victorian streetscapes the house stands as testimony to the confidence of mercantile Maitland, once one of Australia’s great commercial cities. Beautifully furnished, the house adjoins the Maitland City Art Gallery. Dalwood House Atmospherically sited in the midst of Australia’s most historic vineyard, Dalwood was built by George Wyndham in 1829. The classically educated, Wyndham designed his pioneer bungalow in the Greek Revival style. Take in the atmosphere of this unique house and then sample the fruit of Wyndham’s labour at the adjoining Wyndham Estate Winery. Miss Porter’s House This Edwardian terrace built in 1909 by Herbert Porter was lived by the Porter family until 1997. Left to the Trust by Miss Hazel Porter with all its contents the house provides a vivid experience of inner city life in the first half of the twentieth century. Dundullimal This slab homestead was built in the early 1840s as the head station of a 6,500 hectare squatting run. Sophisticated in its form, it reflects architectural influences from Italy, England and India. Take in the atmosphere of the homestead through the free audio tour Voices from the Past and enjoy the stone stables, stockyards, farm animals, river cruise and hay ride. Miss Traill’s House and Garden This charming bungalow was built in 1845 by the Rev. Thomas Sharpe. In 1976 the house and its contents were left to the Trust by Miss Ida Traill. With its beautiful gardens and extensive collections of furniture, ceramics and art it is one of Bathurst’s hidden treasures. Saumarez Homestead This ten-hectare grazing property established in the 1830s includes 20 buildings dating form the 1860s to 1910. Take a guided tour through the White Family’s 30 room Edwardian mansion complete with its original furnishings. Explore the charming garden and farm area with the stables, poultry yard, slaughter house and other old timber buildings. Tenterfield School of Arts On 24 October, 1889 Sir Henry Parkes delivered his Tenterfield Oration at a banquet at the School of Arts. His speech revived the federation movement and led to the creation of the Australian nation. Stunningly restored for the Centenary of Federation the School of Arts houses a museum devoted to Federation, the life of Sir Henry Parkes and the town of Tenterfield. St Ignatius Convent School This simple timber school was built in 1911 by the Sisters of Mercy to educate girls from Wentworth and remote sheep stations along the Murray and Darling Rovers. Restored by the National Trust in 1988 it is the only school of its kind surviving in NSW. Riversdale Built in the 1840s as a coaching inn, Riversdale later became home to the Twynam family. Set amidst beautiful gardens its collection includes spectacular embroideries and woodcarvings created by Emily Rose Twynam a century ago. This fine house is one of the icons of Australian colonial architecture. Cooma Cottage The first part of the house was built in the1830s by Cornelius O’Brien. In 1841 the property was sold to the explorer Hamilton Hume. A creative owner builder, Hume added his version of Palladian style wings and a Greek Revival portico. Set in a pastoral landscape the house represents an extraordinary taxonomy of vernacular building techniques. Bedervale Built in 1836 by Captain Coghill to the design of renowned colonial architect John Verge for one hundred and forty years the property remained in the possession of Captain Coghill’s descendants. Their household artefacts were so remarkable that when the house was sold its contents were acquired by the National Trust. John Verge’s fine architecture, the rich collections and the generous hospitality of the owners of the house all combine to make a visit to Bedervale a great experience. |
