Exeter Railway Station group

Item details


Name of item:	Exeter Railway Station group
Type of item:	Complex / Group
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Platform/ Station
Location:	Lat: -34.6136503108 Long: 150.3172438950
Primary address:	Main Southern railway, Exeter, NSW 2579
Local govt. area:	Wingecarribee
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Illawarra

Boundary:

The listing boundary is formed by the property boundary on either side and running parallel to the tracks, to the south by a line extending across the tracks approximately 20 metres past the end of the platform and to the north by a line extending across the tracks approximately 30 metres past the end of the platform.

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Main Southern railway	Exeter	Wingecarribee			Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
TAHE - Sydney Trains	State Government	28 Oct 98

Statement of significance:


	Exeter is one of the best small station complexes in the State and demonstrates all of the elements of a turn of the century rural station group. In particular it has a rare on-station two level signal box (another is located at Katoomba) and excellent planting on and around the station. The combination of station buildings dating from both periods of construction, signal box, signals and station details contributes to the high significance of the site. This is one of the best small country examples of station planting which was an important part of most station complexes. The location of the group within the small and historic village of Exeter adds to both the importance of the site and the quality of the town. The site has a strong visual impact on the town and streetscape.
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Construction years:	1891-1897
Physical description:	LANDSCAPE platform planting BUILDINGS station buildings, HS - type 7, timber skillion roof extended, 1891 - type 7, timber waiting shed, platform 2,1891 - type 11, platform and closets new timber station building 1915, duplication signal box - on platform gable 2 storey, c. 1897 lamp room - corrugated iron STRUCTURES platform faces - brick signals ARTEFACTS platform signs


Current use:	railway station
Former use:	Aboriginal land, town lot, railway station

History

Historical notes:

Aboriginal land
Gundungurra or Gandangarra people lived in the Southern Highlands area, which includes Mittagong, for many thousands of years. People who spoke the Gundungurra language lived in the Blue Mountains, the Southern Highlands and the Goulburn Plains of New South Wales. They lived in small groups of extended family members, who were attached to particular areas of country. After Anglo-European settlers caused displacement of Gundungurra people, they often worked on farms or grazing properties within and adjacent to their traditional land (Di Johnson: 2004 in SHR database 5045486). Gundungurra groups left archaeological evidence of their occupation throughout their traditional lands, including scarred trees where bark was removed for use as a boat or other object, grinding grooves on rocks where axes were ground, and occupation sites which include middens. Well-worn Gundungurra pathways on ridge tops were often the routes used as the first roads by colonists (Di Johnson 2004). Possibly this could have been the origin of the Old South Road which borders part of the Renwick site. (SHR database 5045486).

Gundungurra groups left archaeological evidence of their occupation throughout their traditional homelands, including scarred trees where bark was removed for use as a boat or other object, grinding grooves on rocks where axes were ground, and occupation sites which include middens. Well-worn Gundungurra pathways on ridge tops were often the routes used as the first roads by colonists (Di Johnson, 2004). Possibly this could have been the origin of the Old South Road where the Hassall and Jefferis Cottages are located.

The area is home to the Tharawal and Gungungurra people (Robinson, 2008).

Camden and the Cow Pastures:
The area is associated with the early history of the colony of New South Wales. Governor Hunter named it 'The Cowpastures' after cattle which had strayed from the Farm Cove settlement were discovered there in 1795 (to the south-west of Sydney). Due to the early European settlers, namely the Macarthurs, who established flourishing wool, wine and wheat industries here, the area is said to be the 'birthplace of the nation's wealth' (ibid, 2008).

Colonisation of Exeter:
The pioneer at Exeter was James Badgery, whose grant of 500 acres was surveyed on 17/11/1821, and deed issued 1/11/1822. Other early grants were Thomas Moore's 2000 acres known as Moore's Flat, Edward Gray's "Spring Hill' of 600 acres and J. Underwood's 500 acres.

The Badgery family, which still holds much land in the district, has had a long and useful association with Sutton Forest & Exeter. James Badgery, born near Exeter in Devonshire, reached NSW with Col. Wm. Paterson on the ship 'Walker' in November 17999. He obtained a grant of 100 acres on the Nepean River near Yarramundi in June 1803. In 1809 grants were made to Andrew, William and Ann Badgery totalling 840 acres by Col. Paterson. However Paterson had no authority to make grants and when Macquarie arrived the land was surrendered. A fresh deed for 640 acres was issued to James Badgery for the greater portion of these lands in August 1812. Meanwhile James continued to occupy the property which was on South Creek in the Bringelly district. Macquarie visited this farm in November 1810, and was pleased to find a good house built, a good garden, and a considerable quantity of ground cleared. In the 1812 deed the farm was called Exeter, a name transferred many years later to the settlement now known by that title.

Badgery's concerns prospered and by 1819 his cattle and sheep had multiplied to such an extent that his farm could not maintain them. He wrote from his South Creek farm to the Governor requesting permission to send them to the country settled beyond the Cow Pastures, or over the Blue Mountains. Macquarie granted permission in 1819 to send his cattle and sheep westward of the Blue Mountains by Cox's Pass but not through the Cow Pastures. From 1804-1823 it was an offence to cross the Nepean River into the Cow Pastures and the country beyond it without a pass. Anyone found there without a pass was liable to be arrested.

On 31/3/1821 Macquarie promised Badgery a grant of 500 acres. A promisee could choose a section where he wished to settle. Badgery obtained a permit on 12/10/1821 enabling him and another man Edward Franks and his stock to travel through the Cow Pastures and the country beyond it. Franks drove 79 head of cattle with two servants. Badgery's herd numbered 103 head.

About this time Surveyor William Harper was busy marking out grants in the Sutton Forest area. On 17/11/1821 he surveyed 500 acres for James Badgery. It seems that Badgery went to the district, knowing the surveyor was at work, in order to choose the grant authorised earlier, and have it marked out. He then placed his stock on the land.

James Badgery died at South Creek on 1/12/1827 and was buried at Liverpool; he was survived by his widow Elizabeth, his daughter Ann, and four sons: Henry, Andrew, William and James. The 1828 census showed that the widow held 1900 acres of which 500 were cleared and 200 cultivated. She owned, also, 400 cattle and 486 sheep. Henry had 800 acres at "Spring Grove" Sutton Forest . Andrew had 400 acres in the Cabramatta district. The other sons appear to have been living with their mother.

Henry Badgery was granted 201 acres in the Exeter area, on 27/5/2834 and later a consolidated grant of 1920 acres was issued; it was named 'Vine Lodge'. The settlement at Exeter is built on portion of this land. The other brothers also held land in this district.

Coming of the Great Southern Railway:
1867 was a momentous year in the Southern Highlands. In December, the newly completed railway line from Sydney opened and in anticipation for an influx of people, the owners of the large estates began subdividing, with the first town plots sold in 1863. By the time Moss Vale station opened, the town had a store, postal service and hotel, mainly to cater for the needs of the large number of railway workers and their families who had come to the district. Their small tent communities had sprung up all along the Great Southern Railway line as it forged south to Goulburn. Lewis Levy from Berrima opened the first store, having cannily anticipated the decline in business in Berrima once it was bypassed by the railway. Business people of Sutton Forest saw Moss Vale's potential as the future centre of the district and many of the first land buyers in Moss Vale were Sutton Forest and Berrima people (ibid, 2001, 82).

The opening up of the Yarrawa Brush (rainforest area, split up and cleared for farming) in the 1860s - the Robertson, Burrawang and Wilde's Meadow area - added to the importance of the rail head at Moss Vale, which became the district centre for sending produce and other freight to the Sydney market (Emery, 2001, 82).

The Village of Exeter:
The development of the village of Exeter began in 1889. In 11/1891 a large section of the 'Vine Lodge' property was subdivided and sold. Town lots realised from 9 shillings to 12/6 per foot, while farm blocks brought from 27 pounds 10 shillings to 32 pounds 10 shillings per acre. Some of the farm lots were bought by Arthur Yates who established a property there. Several cottages had already been built and a post office opened.

It was noted in 1891 that Exeter was going ahead. Land sold in 1889 had in some cases tripled in value and several cottages were being built, as well as houses for the railway station staff. A brick store was erected in 1894 and a bakery established in 1895.

Exeter public school was opened on 9/5/1891 and the first teacher was John Cameron. A new school building was built in 1907. A jubilee celebration was held in 1951 when a school ground beautification scheme was initiated. Trees, shrubs and roses were planted in memory of deceased pupils and residents and sweet gum trees (Liquidambar styraciflua) in honour of former pupils who had died in the two world wars.

An Anglican church was erected in 1895, its foundation stone laid by Mrs F. E. Badgery. It was dedicated in 1896.

A School of Arts was established in 1900 and a building for it was opened on land donated by Dalgety & Co. Work in 1902. A Soldiers' Memorial Hall was opened in 1922 by Mrs R.R.Dangar in St. Aidan's Church grounds, was used for Sunday School and as a meeting place for church organisations.

War Memorial Gates at the entrance to Exeter Park were unveiled by His Excellency Sir John Northcott on 12/2/1950. The acquisition of land for a park at Exeter was discussed in 1910 and the Government of the day promised 200 pounds towards the cost of the land provided residents contributed the remainder, which they agreed to do. By the middle of 1911 150 pounds had been raised and the land was purchased. (Jervis, 1962, 146-9).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of institutions - productive and ornamental-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes and parklands of distinctive styles-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Developing local landmarks-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Building the railway network-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Railway Station-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Engineering the public railway system-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Resuming private lands for public purposes-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Administering and alienating Crown lands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Townships-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Changing land uses - from rural to tourist-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Shaping inland settlements-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	living in the country-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Villages-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Role of transport in settlement-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Developing private towns-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th Century Infrastructure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Impact of railways on suburban development-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Impacts of railways on rural development-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	A quiet Rural District-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Developing the social life of a rural community-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Railway work culture-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	State government-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - building and administering rail networks-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - conserving cultural and natural heritage-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	This item is assessed as historically rare. This item is assessed as scientifically rare. This item is assessed as arch. rare. This item is assessed as socially rare.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management Category	Description	Date Updated
Recommended Management	Produce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Recommended Management	Prepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines
Recommended Management	Carry out interpretation, promotion and/or education

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		01142	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Betteridge, Chris	2002	'Railway Gardens' (entry)	View detail
Written	Jervis, James	1962	A History of the Berrima District 1788-1961
Written	Office of Rail Heritage	2012	Railway garden and landscape conservation guide

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5012007

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