Abercrombie House — Attraction in Stewarts Mount

Amazing huge home with a lovely history behind it, as told to our group by the owner, Christopher Morgan a very friendly approachable fellow. After his introduction we did a self guided tour of his home (some areas were off limits, understandably), love the high ceilings and the wood fittings and pieces of furniture around the home. The gardens were in need of some TLC, love love love the massive grand old trees out the front. we had a very interesting “tour” of his daughter’s, Julia’s emporium in the basement at the back of the home - it filled with all sorts of treasures from the past, brought back lots of memories for me. Afterwards we had a picnic box - our dinner - before the Shakespearean play. The picnic box - size of a normal cake box - was filled with enough food for 3-4 persons !! We had a box each but many of us (34 in our group) couldn’t finish everything. Included with the box - a yummy fresh sandwich roll, a small muffin, a packet of Ferrero Roche or small box of mint chocolates, a punnet of blueberries, a punnet of strawberries, a small wheel of Brie or Camembert, a packet of rice crackers, a bottle of water, a plastic wine glass was also included (wine was sold or you could bring your own to drink during the play), and also tea/coffee!!! The play - Merchant Of Venice - was very enjoyable, the actors were delightful, you’d get the story even if you didn’t completely understand Shakespearean English. The 2 peacocks and a peahen (only saw one), and their cat too, all made their cameo roles in the play!! The peacocks would cry out as if on cue at different points of the play, much to the delight of the audience. It was quite cool in the evening and there were plenty of warm blankets provided to those who didn’t come prepared. There were cabs of insect repellent too to keep the mozzies away. All very well thought of and provided by Mr Morgan, who sat with the audience during the play. Abercrombie House is worth a visit if you’re ever in Bathurst, and stay for the Shakespearean play, when it’s on,...

This was cool, but a bit strange.

The house and historic furnishings and trinkets were lovely, and it was interesting to look around and imagine what life would've been like. It wasn't busy at all, and we were at our leisure to wander around at our own pace without getting in anyone's way.

The number of rooms and winding staircases and windows and balconies is just beyond anything we build today.

Although the renovations have been underway for literally half a century, they seem very haphazard and even the bits that are open to the public have extension leads running everywhere, visible fire extinguishers, filyhy patched carpet etc, and no information about what the room was used for, how it would've been decorated etc.

Every flat surface in the house is crammed with mis-matched bric-a-brac with no information about what it is or how it relates to the house. E.g. a Chinese vase is shoved next to an African wood carving, next to an ancient arrowhead, with some old glass water bottles stacked nearby.

Every wall is covered with random pictures and pieces of artwork, from military scenes to yachts to nude sketches to flower tapestries to family photos. Again there is no information about their time period, where they came from, how they were acquired, or how they relate to the house.

Yet there is a full A4 page dedicated to the pet turtle, and one for the yabby as well.

The gardens are not really maintained and are just "there"; not set out with seating to sit and enjoy. You can wander among the out-buildings, but none of them are open to look at and most of them have junk stacked under the verandahs etc.

The grounds do have some interesting and detailed information about the white settlers, the building of the house, the women who occupied it during WWII etc.

Overall, it's an interesting historical experience. There is plenty to see, and the family has obviously put a lot of love and hard work into it, but it feels haphazard and...

The place spells for “rich” and generational wealth. It’s an interwsting place to visit, and such lovely time capsule to see what it was like to be wealthy in the past. It’s like looking at other people’s house and see all the mess in it. The deteriorating grounds made me wonder what it was like when this place was at its golden era.

Currently i feel more of knick knack of stuff here and there. Not well curated. You can see the classy part of the older generation, and questioned the choices of the later occupants.

The house architecture itself was intricate and made me wonder if there’s hidden room or passage. Each rooms were extravagant (added with later occupants’ belongings, including TV and other modern items). Random things everywhere and oddity to surprise you at weird corner. Evidence of wealth are shown if you scrutinise further, like ivory fire place, collections and memorabilia.

The grounds were also interesting. There’s expensive car graveyard, remnants of vineyard, old fountain, stable house and coach garage. Peacocks are running around and horses are hiding at the back.

Too bad that they dont use the original main gate where the family emblem is carved on. But overall, it was a good one hour visit. Not public transport friendly.

Entrance to house $15, $5 for grounds and garden only. Glass house at the back of the house is closed...