Vaucluse house is a historic 19th century estate located in the eastern suburb of Vaucluse which is named after the house. It is about a 30 minute bus ride from central Sydney. The property was acquired by the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales in 1981 at which point it underwent major refurbishing to restore both the interior and exterior of the house, outbuildings and grounds as close as possible to their original setting.
The first structure built on the location was a farm cottage built by Sir Henry Brown Hayes back in 1805 when the Governer insisted he live well out from the city due to his reputation as a troublemaker. The buildings you see today were constructed over a 25 year period beginning when wealthy statesman William Charles Wentworth purchased the property with his wife back in 1827. Vaucluse House was added onto at different times over the 25 years resulting in a mix of styles although the predominant architecture could be described as Gothic Revival. Wentworth also expanded the size of the estate to 515 acres.
In the 1850s the Wentworths travelled around the continent and acquired a collection of art and furniture, much of which is still on display in the house today.
In 1911 Vaucluse House and the immediate surroundings where purchased by the NSW government and a 28 acre park was created in honour of Wentworth. Beginning in 1920 the public was given access to the house and the grounds.
If you would like to explore a little bit of history and get a break from the busy city Vaucluse House is a great place to visit.
Cost: Nominal admission charges apply. Please see website for details.
Hours: Friday to Sunday from 9.30am to 4pm; also open every day in January; Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day
Website: Vaucluse House
Address: Wentworth Road, Vaucluse, Sydney
| Getting There on Transit | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monorail / Train / Bus | Station | Walking Time |
| Monorail and Bus | City Centre Station | 5 or 12 minutes |
| Train and Bus | Circular Quay, Martin Place or St. James Station | 3 or 10 minutes |
|
By Monorail and Bus: Exit at City Centre and walk east on Market Street and cross Elizabeth Street. Catch a #324 or #325 bus southbound on Elizabeth Street (in front of St. James Station) (2 minutes). If taking the #324 bus, get off at New South Head Road just past Petrarch Avenue and walk back to Petrarch Avenue and go right (north) to Hopetoun Avenue. Cross over and look for the stairway just to your left and go down the steps and through the pathway to Olola Avenue and follow it to your right until you get to Vaucluse House Park entrance (10 minutes). If taking the #325 bus, get off at Wentworth Road and Olola Avenue and go right (south) down Olola Avenue to the park entrance (3 minutes).
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