Wynstay Estate

Item details


Name of item:	Wynstay Estate
Other name/s:	The Turkish Bath
Type of item:	Landscape
Group/Collection:	Parks, Gardens and Trees
Category:	Garden Residential
Location:	Lat: -33.5047327303 Long: 150.3802778570
Primary address:	68-78 The Avenue, Mount Wilson, NSW 2786
Local govt. area:	Blue Mountains
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Deerubbin

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
PART LOT	1		DP	1073231

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
68-78 The Avenue	Mount Wilson	Blue Mountains			Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
	Private
Gowan Ross Pty Ltd	Private

Statement of significance:


	The Wynstay Estate, settled c. 1875 by Richard Wynne and comprising the original cottage, Old Wynstay, The Stables, The Turkish Bath, The Lodge, Wynstay residence and a large area of picturesque gardens, represents an early and highly intact Hill Station landscape estate with a remarkable collection of buildings in diverse architectural styles and a rich collection of plantings befitting Wynne's vision of an English park. Wynstay has aesthetic significance as its character, planning, and the quality of the architecture and landscaping unashamedly and deliberately seeks to establish the qualities of affluence and opulence; a private 'retreat'. The architectural styles, use of materials and the functionality of the buildings, along with the rich plant collection from trees, to shrubs, perennials, climbers and bulb layers successfully create an idealised, romantic and sometimes fanciful recreation of an English rural estate. Wynstay has historic significance to the locality as one of the early European hill station properties on Mount Wilson and is rare as a relatively intact, large original hill station remaining in the same original family's ownership. Of particular importance is the presence of the first Gothic style cottage built by Richard Wynne, the larger Victorian cottage 'Yarrawa' / 'Old Wynstay', and the 1923 sandstone house that demonstrate progressive development of the site by the Wynne family from the late 19th to the early 20th century. The garden elements such as the stone and wrought iron gates, crenellated rubble dry stone walling and stables, Turkish Bath House and collection of specimen trees, avenues, dell and sunken garden demonstrate extraordinary richness rare in gardens of this period. (National Trust, 1994, modified, Read, S., 2004) Wynstay has historic significance due to its association and establishment by Richard Wynne, a prosperous merchant who became a prominent citizen of Victorian Sydney, whose descendants continue ownership of the property. (Register of National Estate (from nominators), modified Read, S., 8/2004).
	Date significance updated: 07 Apr 06
	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


Designer/Maker:	Richard Wynne (old Wynstay); Joseland and Gilling (1920s homestead)
Builder/Maker:	Turkish Bath house by Earnest A Bonney; John Rowland (stonemason)
Construction years:	1875-1893
Physical description:	ESTATE & GROUNDS The property of Wynstay somprses the largest land holding in the town Mount Wilson. Of the two grand estates (at Mt. Wilson) Sefton Hall and Wynstay, the latter almost manorial, with gates at the end of 'The Avenue'. (Stuart Read, visit 16/3/2020). Wynstay estate comprises the top of the hill at Mount Wilson, ending the axial view up the Avenue, its main street, and skirted by the road which winds to the east and west around Wynstay. This ability to be read in the round gives the estate much of its visual power and presence, with open space, a rich collection of mostly exotic 19th century tree plantings including a number of rare and unusual conifers, and built elements such as the Turkish Bathouse and hexagonal stone gate house are visible as incidents in the foliage or view from the road. It has an octagonal gatehouse, castellated stables and a Turkish Bath House. The original weatherboard house was replaced in the 1920s. Its landscape is an imported forest: an avenue of Monterey pines (Cupressus macrocarpa), a Caucasian fir (Abies nordmanniana) and massive specimens of the Sierra redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum)(Tanner, 1979, 82), Canary Island pines (Pinus canariensis), spruces (Abies spp.), pines (Pinus spp.) and other trees (Stuart Read, visit 16/3/2020). A series of drives and roads within the estate edged by c.1m tall crenellated rubble sandstone walls approach the main house via the Turkish Bath (western driveway), and more indirectly via a southern driveway which winds through a cow paddock up and around the brow of the hilltop past the old stables, old Wynstay, the cottage and another (once the main) drive past the octagonal Gate House and up to the western end of the stables, joining the inner drive to the Turkish Bathhouse, up to the (1920s) main house's front porch and a carriage loop before that house. Paddocks to east and south and tree plantings define property and field edges and distinct garden 'rooms' within this large area, in a most picturesque composition, no doubt deliberately intended to display Wynne's wealth and taste. Elements of the estate include grazing fields, inner and outer garden areas, paved 'courtyard' spaces both near the house and further out (south) in the garden, linking paths between buildings, and a more recent service and propogation area of polythene tube or tunnel houses east of the main house and on a lower terrace. (Read, S., 8/2004). Key tree, shrub and other plantings include: Conifers, such as: Abies normanniana, Caucasian fir, fine specimen west of house on lawn; Picea smithiana, Himalayan spruce (2: one near the house; one near the stables block/Old Wynstay); Pinus canariensis, Canary Island pines (several, e.g. east of the stables, nearer the 1920s house, west of the drives); Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Lawson's false cypress or Port Orford cedar (several, very large - one behind (south of) the house is multi-trunked as its lower branches have rooted in the ground and their tips have kept growing forming a circular grove; Pinus griffithii/P.wallichiana, Bhutan pine (long needles, 20-30cm cone, curved, hanging); P.ponderosa, Western yellow pine; Picea abies 'Inversa', dwarf drooping Norway spruce - on a raised driveway bed near the Turkish Bath House; Cedrus deodara, Himalayan cedar; C.atlantica and C.a.'Glauca', Atlas and blue Atlas cedar (very tall specimen near the stables block); Pinus ponderosa; Cupressus macrocarpa, Monterey cypress (avenue/former windbreak?) adjoining the stables/central drive on hill top); C.m.'Aurea', golden Monterey cypress Araucaria bidwillii, Bunya Bunya pine (2); Sequoiadendron giganteum, redwood/big tree; Sequoia sempervirens 'Glauca', blue form of coastal redwood (2 in paddock); Cryptomeria japonica, tsugi/Japanese cedar; C.j.'Vilmoriniana', dwarf "; Taxus communis 'Fastigiata', fastigiate or Irish yew (planted in the 1920s near the main house (Wendy Smart, pers.comm, 5/2020); Tsuga canadensis 'Pendula' (weeping hemlock) north of the main house (likely planted in the 1940s by Bill Smart (Wendy Smart, pers.comm., 5/2020); Picea albertiana 'Glauca Conica', dwarf spruce; and Picea mariana, black spruce (near/west of the house and the Caucasian fir)(closer to the driveway)(Stuart Read, pers.comm., 2005). Other trees, large shrubs and perennial plantings include: Arbutus unedo, Mediterranean /'Irish' strawberry tree (several - almost a weed says the owner); Rhododendron spp. and cultivars - many; R.indicum cv's - and R.kurume cv's - azaleas - many; Magnolia grandiflora, evergreen magnolia/bull bay (large specimen); M.denudata, Yulan tree; M.x soulangeana, tree tulip; M.x loebnerii (8 x 12m specimen)(Stuart Read, pers.comm.). Garrya elliptica, catkin bush; Stachyurus praecox; Prunus x serrulata cv.s, flowering cherries; P.laurocerasus, cherry laurel; Illicium anisatum, five spice bush; Daphne odora cv.'Rubra' and 'Alba', pink and white daphne; Viburnum davidii, David's viburnum; V.tinus, laurustinus; Kalmia latifolia, calico bush (several); Cornus florida, Florida/eastern dogwood; Azalea mollis cv.s; deciduous/Mollis azaleas (many); Rhododendron indicum cv.s, azaleas (many); R.species (many, including R.ponticum; R.augustinii (blue); R.fragrantissimum (white, scented); Hamamaelis mollis, witch hazel; Erythronium dens-canis, dog-toothed violets; Daphne cneorum; D.odora 'Albo-variegata', variegated daphne; Pieris forrestii (giant lily-of-the-valley bush); P.japonica & P.j.'Variegata' (" "); Ilex aquifolium cv.s (hollies); Hydrangea petiolaris, climbing hydrangea; H.macrophylla cv.s, hydrangeas (many); Euonymus pendula (Stuart Read, pers.comm., 2005). The garden features several New Zealand tree and shrub species such as: Pittosporum eugenioides, tarata/lemonwood; Corokia cotoneaster, korokio; Cordyline australis, ti kauka/cabbage tree; Libocedrus plumosa, kawaka/native cedar (several, in pairs, planted formally, e.g. southern end of shrubbery near the stables); Griselinia littoralis 'Variegata', variegated papaumu or New Zealand broadleaf (near the 1920s house)(Stuart Read, visit 16/3/2020); Nothofagus fusca, red beech (Stuart Read, pers.comm., 2005). "Mimi's Garden / Italian Garden (walled garden south of the house): ivy (Hedera helix) clad mesh walls; Florentine cast iron gates brought from Florence, Italy a statue in the basin in the centre of the garden. Weeds in the garden include ivy, holly, Himalayan dogwood (Cornus capitata); honeysuckle and privet (Stuart Read, pers.comm., 2005). BUILDINGS The Original Cottage This is an example of the Victorian Carpenter Gothic style; 1875 - a simple weatherboard residence that remains intact and in fair condition. Yarrawa/(now) Old Wynstay This is a modest example of the Victorian vernacular: c1890 weatherboard, u-shape plan arrangement; in fair condition and intact. A good example of a late 19th c. Gothic style, weatherboard cottage used as an early mountain retreat (LEP). The Stables This is a fine example of the Federation Gothic style with Norman influences. The basalt and sandstone building features crennellated parapet walls. The building is in good condition and retains much of the original fabric and integrity. Behind (south of) the stables are a domed brick water tank and a horse gang. The Turkish Bath This is an example of the Federation Free Classical style with an infusion of Italianate stylising. Built pre-1890-93. The bricks were made by Wynne. The building is in good condition and retains a substantial proportion of original fabric and integrity. Recent research indicates the Turkish Bath house was built (well) before 1890 for use by Richard Wynne's wife Mary Anne, who had fallen into ill health and whose doctors had prescribed a course of Turkish baths. Mrs Wynne died in July 1889 of abdominal cancer (Previously it was assumed to have been built c1892). Surviving Turkish Bath Houses are extremely rare in Australia - Dunmore station in Western Victoria has one made of basalt, c1866 (Lewis, undated). The Lodge or Gatehouse This is a hexagonal-shaped Federation sandstone building with great emphasis placed on solar planning principles to admit natural light to a central core surrounding a fireplace. The building is intact and in good condition. A nearby stone wall appears to be remnant section of another early outbuilding / storage shed (close to the gates and lodge/gate house) which partially collapsed in 2009 (grant application, 1/2011) The 'Wynstay' residence This is a two storey, face sandstone building designed by Joseland & Gilling architects in the Inter-War Georgian Revival style. The original integrity and fabric of the building is superb. Physical Decsription: The property of Wynstay occupies a dominant position on top of a hill at the end of The Avenue at Mount Wilson. The original cottage Wynstay, and the second Wynstay, a U-Shaped timber residence surrounded on three sides by verandahs, still remain on the site. The main house Wynstay, a sandstone Georgian Revival manor house, is sited above the northern boundary of the property. The grounds of Wynstay are bordered by extensive stone walling which runs in a semicircle on the western side of the property. At the end of The Avenue are a set of stone gate posts incorporating decorative wrought iron work, and beside the main gate stands a pentagonal stone gate lodge. From the gate lodge run remnants of a carriage drive that continued along a terrace with almost a mile of rubble walling before arriving at the stables. The stables building is constructed on a U-Shaped plan and built randomly of coursed basalt with some dressed sandstone. This structure includes battlements and crenellations which match the stone walling which runs arounf the boundary of the garden. A Turkish bath house of decorative brickwork, wrought iron and ceramic floor tiles is sited below the northern wall of the garden. Design Elements: The garden is laid out in the style of an English park estate, in the picturesque or gardenesque style. The various structures (gate House, stables and Turkish bath house) serve as pictureesque elements in the garden of Wynstay. Richard Wynne's siting of these structures, and the three houses built in the grounds, did not address the spectacular views to the north of the property over the Wolleongambe Wildreness. The natural landscape was deliberatley kept separate from the picturesque garden that Wynne created within the circular walk which defines the garden and grounds. The main house, Wynstay of 1923, is however sited to address these views rather than the garden. The garden is dominated by mature conifers including Wellingtonia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), Lason Cyress(Chamaecyparis lawsonia), Himalayan Spruce (Picea smithiana) with specimen plantings of Caucasian (Abies nordmanniana) and Blue Atlas Cedar ( Cedrus atlantica 'glauca'). In the areas surrounding the garden are stands of Pinus radiata, Pinus macrocarpa and Pinus ponderosa. In addition, the garden contains many deciduous trees that provide a colourful display during autumn. These include Copper beech (Fangus sylvatica 'purpurea'). English Oak (Quercus robur), Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) and Red Oak (Quercus rubra), with numerous varieties of Maple, Chestnut, Magnolia, Cherry and Dogwood. The front of the old Wynstay cottage consists of mostly over-mature shrubbery. The surviving shrubs from this early period of garden development include Hydrangea hortensis. Viburnum davidii, Viburnum tinus, llex aquifolium (holly), Magnolia stellata (star magnolia), with varieties of Camelia, Buddleia, Deutzia, Exochordia and Laburnum. Azaleas also grow around the old cottage. These are mostly pink and white early Belgian hybrids of which the names are now lost. Other warly paintings wtill exisiting on the site are stands of Cordyline australis (NZ Cabbage tree/ti kouka), and an extensive understorey planting of an unnamed Rhododendron cultivar dating from the 1880s. Some garden ornament surives fromt he 1880s mostly of an Italiannate style, including a nineteenth century terracotta Venus figure. Two urns manufactured by Goodlet and Smith of Sydney front the stairs leading to the cottage. In the 1920s further ornament was incorporated. The old conservatory with it's roof removed was developed as a walled garden that includes a large water tub planted with lotus, with a bronze cherub at it's centre. A larger walled garden called the sunken garden was paved in brick.
	Date condition updated:27 Nov 01
Modifications and dates:	1875 first cottage built 1875-9: road to Mount Irvine resurfaced to skirt Wynstay's hilltop position on Mt.Wilson. 1875-93: second cottage 'Yarrawa' built; stables, stone gate lodge, timber house (now called 'Old Wynstay') and much of the crenellated stone work estate walls were built. 3/9/1879: Wynne bought the redundant section of the old road (now the site of the gates, Old Wynstay and much of the stone walls). 1882: H.J.Wynne (Richard's son) bought portion 64 to the north of the old road by a Crown grant, which by this time was bisected by Mt.Irvine Road. pre-1890-93: Turkish Bath House drawings done, implying it was built in this period. 1895 Richard Wynne died (his wife was dead already and of their five male children only H.J.Wynne was living (born 1859). 16/4/1896 Wynstay was held in trust 22/1/1898: H.J.Wynne died (children R.O.Wynne (b.1893) and D.M.Wynne (b.1895) were five and three respectively). 1906 Yarrawa burnt down. 18/12/1913 Colonel R.O.Wynne (Richard's grandson in England) became the new owner. c.1920 Col.Wynne came to Australia with his English bride. Work started on the present house, designed by Joseland & Gilling architects. The Turkish Bath house was converted into living quarters for 3 stone masons building the new house. c.1923 the new house was completed (Nat.Trust (NSW) classification). 24/9/1968 Col.Wynne died and his three children inherited the estate. c1980s polythene-clad tunnel houses in a nursery area east of the house on site of old tennis court. 16/4/1996: Wynstay held in trust for heirs. 1996 Ornamental garden urn repaired with funding from Australian Garden History Society (Sydney & Northern NSW Branch). 2007: large Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara) probably c.1880s/1890s just beside Old Wynstay was hit by lightning in 2006, one of its trunks shattered and threatened to collapse on the old house. The tree was taken down in 2007 by Ryde TAFE arboriculture students. A nearby brick kiln was built when Jane Wynne and her classmates had lessons from Fred Mann, the potter of nearby Cherry Cottage. 5/2007: A large blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) collapsed in a storm on the back half of an old corrugated iron shed in the Wynstay paddock. The shed has always been called the blacksmith's shop. It is believed to have been used in Richard Wynne's time to create and repair tools and other farm equipment, decorative iron fences and railings. Installation of 470 Litre rainwater tank & stand beneath original tank stand providing a supply to the Turkish Bath house. (Florence Smart, in Mt.Wilson & Mt.Irvine Historical Society, 2007, 2, 12-13). 2010: a new roof on the Turkish Bath, just this month; heavy duty galvanised steel specially rolled to the original profile at Fielders in Adelaide. The timber on the bath house tower also had a facelift.


Current use:	Private residence, farm, garden
Former use:	Aboriginal land, private rural estate, nursery, farm, garden

History

Historical notes:

Aboriginal Occupation
Prior to European settlement the Blue Mountains was the home of many autonomous Aboriginal groups who lived and moved around the region. There are six distinct tribal groups who have traditional rights and custodial responsibilities for the indigenous heritage of the region that are: the Darug, the Gandangurra, the Wanaruah, the Wiradjuri, the Darkinjung and the Tharawal.

Evidence of Aboriginal occupation and custodianship of the country within Blue Mountains National Park dates back to possibly 22,000 years B.P ((Stockton and Holland 1974; Williams et. al. 2012). The Blue Mountains contain a large number of significant sites which capture the relationship that Aboriginal people have had with country for thousands of generations.

The rich and varied evidence of traditional occupation of the reserves include archaeological deposits in open sites and rock shelters, stone implements, factory sites for tool production, axe grinding grooves and extensive art-work, including drawn, painted and stencilled images. Tracks and figurative motifs dominate the art sites (NPWS 1998). Motifs include anthropomorphic figures, animals, hand stencils and tracks of birds and kangaroos (NPWS 1998).

Colonial exploration and settlement:
Until 1813 the Blue Mountains proved a restriction to the expansion of settlement in Australia. In that year Gregory Blaxland, William Charles Wentworth and William Lawson made the first successful crossing and opened the vast interior of the country to settlement.

The construction of a road soon followed and in 1863 a railway was built as far as Penrith and extended as far as Mount Victoria by 1868. By the 1870s it had become fashionable for elite families to acquire mountain retreats with magnificent views where in summer the air was considerably cooler than Sydney. Villages such as Leura developed to serve these retreats which over time developed large European gardens.

Mt. Wilson surveyors: Govett and Wyndham:
In 1833 William Romaine Govett completed his survey of 'the mountain ranges immediately to the north of Bell's Ridge' in which he described Mount Wilson as 'high mass of range of the richest soil and covered with impenetrable scrub'.

In 1868 Surveyor E.S. Wyndham completed his survey including 62 portions situated at Mount Wilson, Parish of Irvine, County of Cook.

Richard Wynne is listed in 1870 as living at Wynstay on Liverpool Road, Burwood between Drivers Road and Alt Street.

After an attempted sale by auction in April 1870, Wynne purchased six allotments of Wyndham's subdivisions between 1875 and 1876. In 1875 Richard Wynne completed his first term as Mayor of Burwood and that year built a cottage on his property at Mt. Wilson. Between 1876 and 1878 Wynne appears to have built a second, larger house called Yarrawa, which burned down in 1906. A photograph of this second house held by the Mount Wilson & Mt.Irvine Historical Society was taken by Bischoff, a photographer with Eccleston du Faur's expedition in the Grose Valley, dating it to well before 1893.

During this period Wynne is said to have employed a stonemason, John Rowland. The stables, gate lodge, the timber house now known as Old Wynstay and much of the crenulated stone walls were completed.

The term 'villa' was first used in England in the 17th century, partly from the Latin and Italian 'country house, farm', perhaps derived from the stem of vicus (village). The villa was a country mansion or residence, together with a farm, farm-buildings, or other house attached, built or occupied by a person of some position and wealth. It was taken to include a country seat or estate and later a residence in the country or in the neighbourhood of a town, usually standing in its own grounds. From this is was appropriated by the middleof the 18th century to mean a residence of a superior type, in the suburbs of a town or in a residential district, such as that occupied by a person of the middle class, and also a small, better-class dwelling house, usually detached or semi-detached. The term 'villa garden' was used in the context of Hobart and Sydney residences in the 1830s, and if near the coast or harbour, the appellation 'marine villa' was often applied. Australian origins probably date from the grant conditions applied to Sydney's Woolloomooloo Hill (1827, under Governor Darling), which obligated the construction of villas fulfilling certain conditions... 'with garden like domain, and external offices for stables and domestic economy' (John Buonarotti Papworth, 1825, quoted in James Broadbent's 1997 book, 'The Australian Colonial House'). Many gardens of 19th century villas followed Gardenesque conventions, with garden ornaments often complementing the architecture of the house. The term had acquired such widespread usage by the 1850s that when Jane Loudon issued a new editiion of her husband (John Claudius Loudon)'s 'Suburban Gardener and Villa Companion' (1838) she merely entitled the revised work 'The Villa Gardener' (1850). This coincided with a growing period of suburbanisation in Australia with consequent fostering of the nursery trade... By the 1880s, descriptions of Australian villas implied sufficient room for a lawn on two or three fronts of the residence...(Aitken, 2002, 619-20).

Between 1875 and 1879 the road towards Mount Irvine was resurveyed to skirt the top of the hill on which Wynstay now stands, presumably because the road surveyed by Wyndham was too steep.

On 3 September 1879 the redundant section of old road, was purchased by Richard Wynne as the gates, Old Wynstay and much of the crenulated walls are located on this land.

By 1880, eight houses had been completed at Mount Wilson and their owners were busy laying out gardens in clearings in dense forest. Paddocks were cleared, leaving tree ferns standing isolated above meadows of clover, English grasses and daisies. Beds of cottage flowers and fruit gardens surrounded the houses. Gradually quite large gardens of 'English' trees and shrubs were formed, each incoporating the customary wide lawn, a tree-lined drive and tennis court (Tanner, 1979, 61).

In 1880 the name Yarrawa appears to have still been in use. Henry John Wynne (Richard Wynne's son) acquired portion 64 to the north of the old road by Crown grant in 1882. By this time , the portion was bisected by the Mount Irvine Road. The name Yarrawa was in use right up until 1921, as noted in the correspondence with Colonel Richard Owen Wynne.

Wynne's inventory of 1893 recorded the existence of the Turkish Bath, a house known as Wynstay and other buildings on the estate - unfortunately this 1893 inventory referred to has never been sighted since. In 1893 drawings for a 'Turkish Bath in the Italianate style' were included in 'The Settlement of Mt Wilson' by Fraser, James & Mack. There is some doubt about the drawings of the Turkish Bath in that thesis. They were not drawn by architect Earnest H.Bonney but more likely by the authors. Recent research indicates the Turkish Bath House was built (well) before 1890 - probably in the mid 1880s for use by Richard's wife Mary Anne (nee Neich), who had fallen into ill health and whose doctors had prescribed a course of Turkish baths. Mrs Wynne died in July 1889 of abdominal cancer (Design 5 Architects, 1999).

On 15 June 1895 Richard Wynne died at Greta, Macdonald Street, Potts Point. The cause of death was listed as being senile decay, purpura and cerebral congestion. His wife, Mary Anne was recorded as being deceased. Also recorded is that of their five male children, only one, Henry John Wynne, then aged 36 years age, was living.

On 16 April 1896 the Wynstay Estate was held in trust by the Perpetual Trustee Company, Sydney. On 22 January 1898 Henry John Wynne died at Mount Wilson aged 38 of chronic Bright's disease. The death certificate describes Henry as being of independent means, and the duration of his last illness one year. It also listed his children Richard O. and Dulcie M. Wynne as living and aged 5 and 3 respectively.

On 18 December 1913 Richard Owen Wynne Esq. of Watford, England, Richard Wynne's grandson, became the new owner of the Wynstay estate. R.O. Wynne returned to Australia, c.1920 with his English bride (Marianne) and in the same year work commenced on the construction of the present Wynstay, to the design of Joseland and Gilling Architects. The Turkish Bath was converted into living quarters for the three stonemasons constructing the new home. From c.1920 to 1945 the Turkish Bath continued to be used as a residence and little or no further alteration to the building occurred during this time (Design 5 Architects, 1999).

James Inglis, a new arrival in NSW in 1877 from India with a commission to write on the Australian colonies as a field for 'Anglo-Indian capital', produced "Our Australian Cousins" in which he wrote in glowing terms of Mt.Wilson. In 1880 he visited Edward Merewether (at Dennarque), describing the scene as he reached this ten acre block which today is at the top of the Zig Zag:
" On the brow of the hill we come to a clearing of some 10 acres belonging to my friend. On which has been erected a neat weatherboard cottage. All the tall timber has been cut down, but the tree ferns have been left. Can you imagine ten acres of magnificent tree ferns? Nothing else to be seen? - they are as plentiful as cabbages in a garden bed. The sight was to me as rare as it was surpassingly beautiful." Inglis later referred to the stone residence at Dennarque and noted other nice houses, though chiefly of wood are being put up on various parts of the mountain - this beauteous retreat promises to become a favourite summer resort for the elite of Sydney."

Here is direct evidence of the pattern already apparent that Mt.Wilson and the Blue Mountains had become the popular concept of a hill station, providing an escape from Sydney, Newcastle, Mulgoa and Mudgee to a cool, healthy, beautiful, mountainous environment during the hotter summer months for the families who built homes in Mt.WIlson.

When Dennarque was owned by the Mann children (1924+) a guesthouse was established. After World War 1 the small Mt.Wilson community underwent considerable social and economic change. Some property owners chose to live on the mountain permanently to make a living from its rich basalt soil. These permanent settlers were to include Richard Owen Wynne (grandson of Richard Wynne) of Wynstay, Edward Jesse Gregson (son of Jesse Gregson) of Yengo, George Ernest Valder (son of George Valder who had bought Nooroo in 1917-18), Ivie Sloan (of Bebeah, bought in 1902) and Frederick Farrell Mann of Yengo (called Stone Lodge after 1923 when he purchased it from Edward Gregson).

Mt Wilson had acquired an attractive reputation for its rare beauty and its coolness in the summer and special environment bought visitors in small numbers. Tearooms and guesthouse accommodation emerged. An early map after World War 1 shows G Knight Brown running Campanella as a guesthouse (Wynne papers, Mitchell Library). Nooroo also had guests.

In 1922 a post office building containing a residence and officer, was constructed in The Avenue opposite Bebeah through funds provided by a number of local property owners forming a trust. In this building was a tearoom and, for a short period, a small general store. An extract from "The Blue Mountains Echo" in 1921:

"A Tourist's Paradise"
There is only one Mount Wilson in NSW - No other is exactly like it - one of the principle glories of the Mount is its tree ferns. They are everywhere on the mountain top, in the gullies out in the sunlight."

The article describes the wonders of "Wynnestay its grounds are glorious, the beauty and diversity of foliage and form baffle description."

The guesthouses at Mt.Wilson became an attractive feature of holidaying in this rather isolated mountain retreat. They functioned on a modest scale bringing a rather select group of visitors. Meanwhile a small number of property owners turned to orcharding to derive an income from this same mountain. Others, like the Whites of Withycombe, continued to use it as a summer retreat (Reynolds, 2009, 1,4-8, abridged)

Following the death of Colonel R.O. Wynne on 24 September 1968, his widow, Florence Marianne Wynne, sons Mervyn Owen and Ronald Michael Wynne and daughter Jane Marianne Smart became the new owners of the estate.

On 3 May 1972 following the death of Colonel Wynne's widow, the three children inherited the estate. Gowan Ross Pty Ltd., established by the Smart family, purchased the estate (Design 5 Architects 1999).

c1980s polythene-clad tunnel houses in a nursery area east of the house were built by Bill Smart for use by the family nurseries. These were built on the site of the old tennis court. Bill Smart was interested in contemporary horticulture.

The property is today owned by the Smart family, who are direct descendants of Richard Wynne.

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.	Cultural: Natural landscapes valued by humans-
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.	Cultural: Mountains and peaks providing landmarks for humans-
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.	Natural - regenerating native flora valued for conservation purposes-
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.	Introduce cultural planting-
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	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Horticulture-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Nursery production of plants-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Arboretums - collections of trees for ornament or forestry-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Clearing land for farming-
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 gardens of domestic accommodation-
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 countryside of rural charm-
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	Gardens and landscapes reminiscent of an 'old country'-
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	Significant tree(s) providing rural amenity or character-
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 demonstrating styles in landscape design-
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	Gardens demonstrating the travels and sojurns of a gardener-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Forestry-Activities associated with identifying and managing land covered in trees for commercial purposes.	Timber getting-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Agisting and fattening stock for slaughter-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Dairying-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Federation Style residential development-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Housing the prosperous - mansions in town and country-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Housing for farm and station hands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Gentlemens Mansions-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Housing working animals-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Holidaying in shacks, huts and cabins-
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	Fencing boundaries - wooden post and rail-
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	Granting Crown lands for private farming-
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	Sub-division of large estates-
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	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Naming places (toponymy)-
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	Surveying by E.S. Wyndham, surveyor-
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	Surveying by William Romaine Govett, surveyor-
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	Planning manorial villages and systems-
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	Vernacular hamlets and 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	Developing and operating manorial 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	Country Estate-
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	Rural orchards-
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	Creating landmark structures and places in regional settings-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Developing cultural institutions and ways of life-National Theme 8
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Architectural styles and periods - Interwar Georgian Revival-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	(none)-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Joseland and Gilling, architects-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Ald. Richard Wynne, businessman, first Mayor of Burwood-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Henry John Wynne, gentleman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Mary Anne Wynne (nee Neich), gentlewoman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Mary Anne Wynne (nee Neich), gentlewoman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Richard Owen Wynne, gentleman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Florence Marianne Wynne, gentlewoman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with the Perpetual Trustee Company-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with John Rowland, stonemason-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Mervyn Owen Wynne, gentleman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Ronald Michael Wynne, gentleman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Jane Marianne Smart (nee Wynne), gentlewoman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Bill Smart, nurseryman and horticulturist-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	As a rare substantially intact example of a gentlemen's 'Hill Station' retreat, owned and occupied almost continuously by the one family since its establishment in 1870, the Wynstay estate is of State significance. As possibly the oldest surviving building in Mt Wilson, the cottage is of local significance. (Design 5 Architects) Evidence of adaptation and change manifest in the buildings, artefacts and landscape is of significance as a record of changing tastes and technologies from 1870 to the present day. It may also have greater significance as evidence of particular events in the Wynne family history. (Design 5 Architects)
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The Wynstay Estate was established by Richard Wynne, a prosperous merchant who became a prominent citizen in Sydney and at one time the Mayor of Burwood municipality. Wynne was a pioneer settler of Mount Wilson and also the founder of the Wynne Prize for Landscape Painting and Sculpture at the Arts Gallery of New South Wales. As evidence of Wynne's occupation of the site and his personal vision of an ideal landscape, the estate is of State significance. (Design 5 Architects)
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The Turkish Bath is a rare intact example of a purpose built private Turkish Bath in Australia, and survives substantially intact. The building is an unusually fine example of late Victorian boom style architecture with polychrome brickwork and Italianate details. The evidence of its operation is of high technological significance and is extremely rare in Australia, possibly unique. Interest in Turkish Baths in Australia appears to have developed shortly after their reintroduction in England (into Ireland in 1860 then later in the north of England: the first introduction to England was in the 17th century). In the late 19th century, two public Turkish Baths were known to have operated in Sydney, and two in Melbourne. Only one other surviving private Turkish Bath is known in Australia, on Dunmore station near Broadwater in Victoria (Design 5 Architects). Wynstay (the house) is a handsome, robust example of inter war Georgian Revival architecture, designed by the prominent Sydney architectural firm, Joseland & Gilling. (Design 5 Architects) As a significant group buildings, structures, artefacts and gardens set in the mountain landscape landscape in the romantic style, the Wynstay estate is of local aesthetic significance. (Design 5 Architects) The gate lodge and stables are significant examples of 19th century pattern book architecture. (Design 5 Architects)
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	Evidence of adaptation and change manifest in the buildings, artefacts and landscape is of significance as a record of changing tastes and technologies from 1870 to the present day. It may also have greater significance as evidence of particular events in the Wynne family history. (Author: Design 5 Architects)
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	Wynstay as a hill station property of some scale remaining in the same original family is now rare in New South Wales. In addition, surviving Turkish Bath Houses are extremely rare in Australia - Dunmore station in Western Victoria has one made of basalt, c1866 (Lewis, undated).
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		01520	12 Apr 02	72	2328
Local Environmental Plan	Blue Mountains Local Environmental Plan	MW001	27 Dec 91
National Trust of Australia register	Wynstay Group, Wynstay residence, Old Wynstay, Wyn	3507, 3511, 3513, 3514	25 Feb 95
Register of the National Estate - Interim	Wynstay Group; Wynstay Garden	101382; 101181

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Heritage Parks and Gardens Study	1994		National Trust of Australia (NSW) Parks and Gardens Committee		No

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Tourism		2007	Turkish Bath Museum Turkish Bath Museum	View detail
Written	Aitken, Richard	2002	'Villa Garden' (entry)	View detail
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Turkish Bath Museum	View detail
Written	Beaver, David	2002	'Wynstay' (entry)	View detail
Written	Design 5 Architects	1999	Wynstay, The Avenue, Mt.Wilson, NSW - assessment of cultural significance and impact of proposed boundary adjustment	View detail
Written	Design 5 Architects	1996	The Turkish Bath: Conservation Analysis and Conservation Policy	View detail
Written	Fox, Paul	2002	'Hill Stations' (entry)	View detail
Written	Koperberg, Jan	2017	'Wynstay and the Turkish Bath Museum at Mt. Wilson'
Written	Lewis, Miles		Architecture of the Basalt Plains
Written	Mt Wilson Historical Society Inc.	1999	Final report to the NSW Heritage Office on the Turkish Bath Renovation Project, Wynstay, Mt. Wilson	View detail
Written	National Trust of Australia (NSW) Parks & Gardens Committee	1994	Heritage Parks & Gardens Study, Recording & Assessment Guidelines, Arcadia in Danger Workshop
Written	Reynolds, Mary	2009	Wildflower Hall, A Mt. Wilson Guesthouse of the 1930s
Written	Tanner, Howard	1979	Converting the Wilderness: the Art of Gardening in Colonial Australia

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:	5044800
File number:	S95/00570

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