NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (NEW SOUTH WALES)
Observatory Hill, The Rocks, Sydney
Postal address: GPO Box 518, Sydney 2001
Tel: (02) 9258 0123. Fax: (02) 9251 1110
Email: reception@nationaltrust.com.au
Website: www.nationaltrust.com.au
Here is a link to the NSW “Places to Visit” website page.
S. H. Ervin Gallery
Watson Road, Observatory Hill, Sydney
Tel: (02) 9258 0173
Open: Tue–Sun 11am-5pm
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
1 Carthona Avenue, Darling Point
Tel: (02) 9363 2401
Open: First Thursday of the month (excluding January) 10am–1pm,
guided tours on the hour.
Groups (up to 60 people) welcome by appointment.
Built in 1834, Lindesay was the first colonial house built in the Gothic
Revival style. The house contains a fine collection of English and
Colonial furniture and has picturesque views of the harbour across
landscaped gardens. Lindesay is available for special events in the
garden, house or marquee.
Old Government House
Parramatta Park, Parramatta
Tel: (02) 9635 8149
Open: Tue-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat & Sun 10.30am-4pm, Mon booked
groups only.
Old Government House is Australia’s oldest surviving public building. It
was built by Governors Hunter and Macquarie between 1799 and 1818
and is faithfully restored, furnished and decorated to the Macquarie
period (1810-1821) including the unique Soft Furnishings project.
Experience the lives of our early colonial governors and view the
nation’s most important collection of early Australian colonial furniture.
Experiment Farm Cottage
9 Ruse Street, Harris Park
Tel: (02) 9635 5655
Open: Tue-Fri 10.30am-3.30pm, Sat & Sun 11am-3.30pm
Experiment Farm Cottage is built on the site of Australia's first land
grant. Experience the story of ex-convict James Ruse who "sow'd the
forst seed" and demonstrated the fledging colony of NSW could feed
itself; and of pioneer John Harris - surgeon, explorer, farmer,
magistrate and merchant, who built the charming 1830's Indian
bungalow which is once again filled with simple but elegant colonial
furniture.
Vienna Cottage
38 Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill
Tel: (02) 9817 2235
Open: 2pm-4pm every second and fourth Sunday of the month.
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
Day Road, Cheltenham
Tel: (02) 9258 0123
Open: Bushland Reserve & the Hut of Happy Omens open seven days
a week during daylight hours
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 bush reserve and the Hut of Happy Omens
are open during daylight hours to all who respect the Hindu virtue of
ahimsa, which is to abstain from causing hurt and harm.
Eryldene
17 McIntosh Street, Gordon
Tel: (02) 9498 2271
Open: One weekend per month April–September, for dates please call.
Other times are by appointment.
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
32 Plateau Road, Avalon
Tel: (02) 9258 0123
Open: By appointment only.
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.
Woodford Academy
Great Western Highway, Woodford
Tel: (02) 4758 8584
Open: Every third Saturday of the month, 10am–4pm, or by
appointment.
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
14 Norman Lindsay Crescent, Faulconbridge
Tel: (02) 4751 1067
Open: daily 10am-4pm
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
37 Everglades Avenue, Leura
Tel: (02) 4784 1938
Open: daily Spring & Summer 10am-5pm, Autumn & Winter 10am-
4pm
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
Tomago Road, Tomago
Tel: (02) 4964 8123
Open: Sundays 11am-3pm
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
Church Street, Maitland
Tel: (02) 4933 6452
Open: Thursday–Sunday 10am–3pm or by appointment.
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
Dalwood Road, Branxton
Tel: (02) 4938 3444
Open: By appointment.
Situated in the Hunter Valley at Branxton (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.
Harper's Mansion
Wilkinson Street, Berrima
Tel: (02) 4877 2310
Open: Every weekend and public holiday except for three weeks over
Christmas. Also by appointment at other times for group bookings.
Built in 1834 by innkeeper James Harper, this brick and iron two story
building is a fine example of Georgian architecture situated in the
unique Georgian village of Berrima in the Southern Highlands.
Fully restored by the National Trust in the mid seventies, it is set in
two acres of cold climate garden with a unique maze and replicates
colonial living from the period. Guided tours of house and furnishings
and the garden available whenever the house is open.
Miss Porter’s House
434 King Street, Newcastle
Tel: (02) 4927 0202
Open: By appointment.
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
Obley Road, Dubbo
Tel: (02) 6884 9984
Open: daily 10am-5pm (closed Christmas Day)
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
321 Russell Street, Bathurst
Tel: (02) 6332 4232
Open: Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 12 noon–3:30pm or by
appointment.
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
Saumarez Road, Armidale
Tel: (02) 6772 3616
Open: Weekends and public holidays 10am-5pm (House tours at
10.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm).
Midweek tour groups by appointment. Closed from mid June until 1st
September.
This ten-hectare grazing property established in the 1830s includes 20
buildings dating from 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
Birthplace of Federation
Corner Manners & Rouse Streets, Tenterfield
Tel: (02) 6736 3592
Open: daily 10am-4pm
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
30 Cadell Street, Wentworth
Tel: (03) 5027 4702
Open: By appointment.
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
Maud Street, Goulburn
Ph/Fax: (02) 4821 4741
Mob: 0402 129 682
Open: Every Sunday 10am – 3pm. Groups welcome by appointment
other days.
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
Yass Valley Way, Yass
Tel: (02) 6226 1470
Open: Thu-Mon 10am-4pm
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
Monkittee Street, Braidwood
Tel: (02) 4842 2421
Open: every 1st Sunday of the month at 2pm September-May
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
the National Trust acquired its contents. 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.
| 