Elizabeth Farm — Attraction in Sydney

With its deep, shady verandahs and elegant symmetry, Elizabeth Farm is an iconic early colonial bungalow. Begun in 1793, it was extended and modified over the next 35 years for John and Elizabeth Macarthur, best known as pioneers of the Australian wool industry. Today, set within a re-created 1830s garden, the house records the achievements, political intrigues and personal struggles of one of the early colony’s most influential and controversial families. Within its walls, plans were hatched to topple a governor and the private anguish of isolation and mental illness was endured. In later years Elizabeth Farm was home to the Swann family, whose efforts and affection for the house most likely saved it from destruction.

The early decades of the colony of NSW were marked by tumultuous events as strong-willed individuals clashed over personal ideals and ambitions, and even the very identity of the colony. At the centre of many of these conflicts was John Macarthur. Ambitious, volatile and supremely self-confident, Macarthur arrived in the colony in 1790, a young lieutenant in the newly formed NSW Corps. With his wife Elizabeth and son Edward, he had barely survived the journey on the famously brutal Second Fleet due to illness, but not so their second child, an unnamed daughter born and buried at sea. John, the son of a textile merchant, and Elizabeth, the daughter of a Devon farmer, initially viewed the colony as a short-term ticket to wealth. But instead it became their permanent home. At his death 36 years later, John Macarthur was one of the wealthiest landowners in the colony, owning over 24,000 acres (9500ha) of land with stock valued at £30,000.

In 1793 John Macarthur received his first grant of land at Rosehill, soon after renamed Parramatta, which was rapidly developing as the colony’s second centre. He named the property Elizabeth Farm for his wife, and it was quickly followed by an adjoining grant, which he named Edward Farm for their eldest son. The family relocated from Sydney in December that year. Surviving letters from Elizabeth to her mother and friends in England tell of their farm and home life, from anecdotes of their children to the gift of a piano from the First Fleet surgeon George Worgan. It is in these letters that we read of the precarious first years of the colony as they finally gave way...

Elaine gave my daughter and I a guided tour around the house and told us all about its history it was very informative. I enjoyed the tour and all of its history.

HISTORY

Elizabeth Farm was named after John Macarthur's wife.

Elizabeth Farm is Australia's oldest surviving homestead it was built in 1793 on 100 acres. It's owners John and Elizabeth Macarthur established fruit trees, vines, crops of corn, wheat and vegetables plus livestock of 130 goat's, 100 hog's, 3 horses, 2 cow's and poultry.

Elizabeth Farm started as a small 3/4 roomed brick cottage and by 1813 Elizabeth Farm was transformed into a smart country estate of around 1000 acres of land.

Elizabeth Farm was where the Australian wool industry started as John began raising Merino sheep for their fine wool. When John Macarthur died in 1834 and at the time his estate was amounted to over 37,000 acres.

Elizabeth continued with the farm until her death in 1850. The family sold Elizabeth Farm Estate in 1881.

The farm was sold a few times and it fell into disrepair but it was saved from demolition in early 1970's and in 1977 it became the first house in New South Wales to be protected under a conservation order.

The site was transferred to the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales in 1983 and in 1984 it was opened as a...

I've lived in Sydney all my life and wasn't even aware of this beautiful piece of history nestled away in Rose Hill.

Admittedly I have driven around the area before and have seen the sign that simply states Elizabeth Farm but I was always on the way to or from some other engagement so never really thought about it.

I was passing through the area again today, saw the sign, looked at the time and realised I had a free moment so I decided I should finally stop and have a sticky beak. Am I glad that I did!

From the Museums of History NSW website:

"Built in 1793 for the young military couple John and Elizabeth Macarthur and their growing family, Elizabeth Farm today is an ‘access all areas’ museum. There are no barriers, locked doors or delicate furnishings. Set within a re-created 1830s garden, Australia’s oldest homestead is now our most immersive house museum"

It truly is an immersive museum and the only thing missing is the opportunity to hire period correct costumes so that you can wander around the premises and really live in the moment.

I ended up staying and exploring for a good 45mins and probably would have stayed longer except I needed to be somewhere.

Will definitely be making a return visit in the...