Day 6: Extraordinary rural homestead

We spent three very happy and fascinating hours today visiting a wonderful National Trust property, the Saumarez Homestead, on a large rural property outside Armidale. It is located on the land of the Anaiwan people who have occupied the region for thousands of years.

European pastoral settlement began in the 1830s led by civil servant and pastoralist Henry Dumaresq, and in those early years Saumarez had a well-stocked store, with tools, clothing and food provisions for those moving north ‘beyond the boundaries of civilisation.’

The property takes its name from the Dumaresq’s Estate in Jersey in the Channel Islands. After Dumaresq’s death, Saumarez Station was sold to Henry Arding Thomas, whose family lived in a slab homestead overlooking Saumarez Creek.

The White family purchased Saumarez station in 1874 and developed the land and its associated buildings into one of the largest and most successful rural properties in New England. The White family worked the property until they gave the 10 hectares that included the historic precincts to the National Trust in 1984.

We were guided through the 30-room Edwardian mansion which contains the White family's collection of Australian colonial furniture and decorative arts. It was like walking through a time capsule.

The White family was very prominent in the district and made a huge contribution to the cultural development of the New England area, including the establishment of the University of New England. We loved the history and bought the book "The Ladies of Saumarez", the story of the wives and daughters who ran Saumarez Homestead. The last daughter, Elsie lived there and managed the property until she died in 1981 at the age of 97.