Vaucluse House, Sydney
Vaucluse House is one of those places I had been meaning to visit for ages, but just hadn’t gotten around to it. Sort of like washing the car or getting a haircut, there are things I know I want to do, but the year gets away from me, and next thing I know I have a dusty mess of a car and split ends.
However, Vaucluse House is much more exciting than that. This heritage manor home, set in the beautiful eastern Sydney suburb of Vaucluse, is part of Sydney Living Museums, and can be toured and explored as a visitor. It’s one of the most fascinating historic homes in Sydney, and is a great afternoon trip for anyone who enjoys history, architecture, or a bit of scandal…
Here’s my Vaucluse House review.
Vaucluse House history
The stately home began life in 1805 as a stone cottage, built by Irishmen of dubious background (he had left Ireland due to his role in a kidnapping), Sir Henry Browne Hayes. Sir Hayes, incredibly, imported large amounts of Irish soil to Australia, under the perhaps misguided belief that this would keep away the snakes, which aren’t found in Ireland, but are found in Australia. Unfortunately, this did not work.
He was also known for his great beard and is described by the official Vaucluse House website as a character of ‘grotesque appearance’.
In 1827, the cottage was purchased by William Charles Wentworth, an explorer, writer, and instrumental figure in the early days of the colony. He and his wife, Sarah Cox, set out quickly into expanding the cottage into something much bigger, as they would go on to have ten children. It’s worth taking the time to read more on Wentworth– he is known for many impressive feats, including being the first European, along with Blaxland and Lawson, to cross the Blue Mountains, he founded The Australian newspaper, and was a leading political figure, campaigning for democracy in the colony of New South Wales.
Touring the property
Arriving at Vaucluse House, you are given the option of an audio headset tour or a guided tour, both of which are included in the admission cost. I opted for the guided tour, and was surprised to find myself as the only person on the tour. Instead of cancelling the tour due to low numbers, they were very happy taking me around on my own, which is really impressive. I really appreciate the professionalism and the time of the staff, and my private tour was an incredible way to learn much more about the house than I expected.
The guided tour lasts about an hour, and winds through the property, starting with the laundry, scullery, and kitchens, before entering into the main house. Most of the rooms of the home are open to the public, including the dining rooms, elegant drawing room, the informal family living spaces, and several of the bedrooms.
Visiting Vaucluse- Australia’s Winchester House?
Upon entering the home, you’ll note several oddities. For one, there is no formal front door. Just a corridor where it would’ve been. Although the Wentworth family were influential and wealthy, they weren’t popular- remember I mentioned a scandal? Wentworth and his wife, who was from a lower social status than him, were both from convict families, and they had several of their ten children out of wedlock, before marrying. As a result, the Wentworths were looked down upon by society and sadly did not do huge amounts of entertaining, despite their extravagant property.
Although no one is sure, it is speculated that a grand front entrance was never built, as the home did not receive enough visitors to warrant the effort.
The house reminded me of the Winchester Mystery House in the US, albeit on a smaller scale. This bizarre home in California contains rooms strange hallways to nowhere, doors that don’t go anywhere, and chimneys that can’t be used. It is said that widow Sarah Winchester, haunted by the atrocities committed by the Winchester rifle, her family’s creation, never stopped construction on the house.
Other architectural oddities at Vaucluse House include a door in the main drawing room that leads to nowhere, built for purposes of symmetry, and the home is both two stories and three, but the levels are disjointed and don’t easily connect. The house also does not have a servant’s staircase, which is very unusual for homes of the period. Look out also for the bedroom that was strangely built in the end of one of the hallways on the upper levels.
The gardens and farm
The farm’s gardens and the stunning pleasure garden are both open to the public, as are the property’s stables. The pleasure gardens, designed for the whole purpose of relaxation and aesthetic beauty, are open to the public, and guests are encouraged to bring along a picnic and stay for the day. The gardens are free of charge, and admission fees are only required to tour the home’s interior and servant’s rooms.
The verdict
Yes, I would completely recommend a day at Vaucluse House- at $12.00 per adult, it’s a steal- this includes all buildings on site, an audio headset, and a guided tour. It’s a really fun day out, and is something most visitors to Sydney don’t know about. I’d especially recommend the guided tour, which contains a wealth of information on the home’s history, architecture, and residents.
It’s also easy to get there- Vaucluse House parking is free and plentiful, a rarity in Sydney, or it can also be reached by bus from the CBD or Edgecliff train station. Vaucluse House is part of Sydney Living Museums, formerly the Historic Houses Trust of NSW, a fantastic organisation that oversees a number of museums and historic buildings in the city. I’ve reviewed another of their properties, the Hyde Park Barracks Museum, and some of my other favorites include the Museum of Sydney, Susannah Place Museum, and the Sydney Mint. However, I plan on also exploring Elizabeth Bay House and the Rose Seidler House over the next few months, so watch this space for more reviews!
If you love Sydney history, considering visiting Q Station, exploring the Rocks, or visiting Cockatoo Island.
Before you go
- What else to do in Vaucluse? Wander down to Vaucluse Beach, just across the street from the house, or nearby Nielsen Park is a calm, family-friendly harbour beach.
- I didn’t have time to check this out, but the Vaucluse House Tearooms apparently have a fantastic and luxurious tea, and are known as one of the best high teas in Sydney.
- Vaucluse House opening hours: Wednesday- Sunday, 10am-4pm. They are closed Monday-Tuesday.
- The free guided tours start on the hour, if you want to plan your visit to align with a tour.
- Looking for more unique things to do in Sydney?
The writer visited Vaucluse House as a full-paying guest.