Lake Innes House ruins and environs

Item details


Name of item:	Lake Innes House ruins and environs
Type of item:	Archaeological-Terrestrial
Group/Collection:	Farming and Grazing
Category:	Homestead Complex
Location:	Lat: -31.4963519036174 Long: 152.873950318852
Primary address:	The Ruins Way, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444
Local govt. area:	Port Macquarie-Hastings
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Birpai

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	603		DP	754434
LOT	2		DP	826241

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
The Ruins Way	Port Macquarie	Port Macquarie-Hastings			Primary Address
Lake Innes	Port Macquarie	Port Macquarie-Hastings			Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
National Parks and Wildlife Service	State Government	16 Apr 98

Statement of significance:


	Lake Innes House ruins and environs is a major historical monument to the pre 1850 period of settlement of Australia. Its key role in the early development of a region in NSW is made poignant by the evocative ruined remains of a surprisingly large establishment and the existence of detailed contemporary records (Boswell) of day to day activities during its decline. It contains an extensive archaeological resource for the study of Australian architecture, gardening, farming history and early 19th century domestic arrangements. In the above respects it is a rare resource because of subsequent inactivity and the existence of contemporary records (journals, drawing and plan). The house ruins are one of a small number of large colonial period domestic ruins in NSW. In its growth and planning it testifies to the confidence and aspirations of those who became quickly rich on Government resources during the 1830s and in its swift decline and ruin it symbolises the sudden demise of this class as a result of the 1840s economic recession (Clive Lucas & Partners, 1987) Lake Innes Estate is of state cultural significance for its natural and cultural values. The place is of significance for its remnant wetland areas, koala population and other threatened animal species. The place also contains rare cultural evidence relating to the layout and functioning of a large seaside estate including largely archaeologically intact outbuildings, industrial areas (brick-making sites and roads), convict, servant guest and resident accommodation. The combination of written and physical evidence related to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal occupation of the site make the Lake Innes Estate an outstanding research resource. Historically the association of the place with prominent colonials such as Innes, the Macleays and Boswell is an important element of the significance of the place. Lake Innes Estate is significant to the local and regional community as demonstrated through community action beginning in the 1940s and 1950s and continuing through to the public participation and interest in the ongoing conservation programmes at the site. Lake Innes Estate is also of significance for its interpretive and educational potential. The Estate is capable of demonstrating a number of local and state historic themes. The major themes relate to Aboriginal occupation, history and land tenure; the local environment and the impact of human settlement; convictism and the rise of the middle classes in nineteenth century Australia; expansion and exploration at the edge of European settlement through commerce, pastoralism and agriculture; and the development of townships such as Port Macquarie in the north coast region of NSW. (NSW Parks and Wildlife Service 2000)
	Date significance updated: 16 Apr 98
	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


Builder/Maker:	Major Archibald Clunes Innes
Construction years:	1831-1848
Physical description:	Setting: Lake Innes House and associated sites are located on and adjacent to a southerly - pointing peninsula of land between Lake Innes and Innes Swamp. The site is within Lake Innes Nature Reserve, not far from Port Macquarie. It features the house ruins as an historic site set in gorgeous natural scenery with opportunities for hiking, cycling, birdwatching and water sport activities (NPWS website). Lake Innes lies at its heart and is a picturesque setting for the historically significant Innes (House) ruins. The main site is 11 kilomotres south of the town of Port Macquarie, the house ruins being well sited on rising ground. The vegetation of the area consists of sclerophyll forest on the drier ground, with tea-tree and casuarina on the swamps and reed beds around the lake margins. In the hey day of Lake Innes House it appears that its immediate area consisted of gardens and cleared land, with an attractive view across the lake towards Mount Seaview in the distance (NPWS website) Diaries of the Innes' niece Annabella Boswell (nee Innes) between 1843-8 noted the existence of a vineyard and a 'new flower garden' with hollyhocks, used for an 1843 birthday celebration dinner table decoration (Carlin, 2009). Very little above ground evidence of Lake Innes House's once renowned garden appears on site today although layout, paths etc may well survive below the ground surface and its cover. Close to the house to one side are two enormous clumps of giant bamboo (Bambusa balcooa), a common feature of gardens of this ambition and scale at the time, certainly amongst notables such as the Macarthur family, Governors etc (pers.comm., Stuart Read, 23/7/09). House: The ruins of the house and stables consitute the major physical evidence of the Innes property, although a number of other related sites are known to exist or are suspected to exist in the area. These include the reamins and sites of servants' cottages, an estate-workers' village, a farm that supplied the house with food, a brickmaking site, a corduroy road towards the beach, another corduroy road to the lake, a boathouse by the lake and probably other sites yet to be located. The two main wings of the house form an L-shaped structure, the living rooms facing west with views over the lake and the bedroom wing facing south to avoid the heat of the sun. Adjacent to the courtyard behind were the kitchen, accommodation for male visitors (the bachelors hall), servants quarters, laundry store, wine cellar, dairy and the underground cistern that provided the household water supply. At the eastern end of the bedroom wing were a bathroom, privies and a boiler for providing hot water in the bathroom. The surviving standing remains comprise but a small part of what was once a 22 room mansion and its associated buildings. Outbuildings: Adjoining the house to the north east and connected to it by a common wall with the servants' quarters and associated facilities is the stables complex. In addition to stabling for a number of hores and accommodation for carriages and storage for harness, this complex contained living spaces for stable workers. The structure is in a better state of preservation than the house with many of the walls still standing to the roof level. Boswell's diaries include note of a separate schoolroom in which the Innes children were educated. Both house and stables are made of handmade sandstock bricks and similar brick was also used at most of the related sites. Brick sizes are fairly uniform but probably varied a little depending on the mud in use and the irregular finish. Most probably the bricks were manufactures on the property from clay whcih came from a source not far from the house, on the eastern side of the road from Port Macquarie. (The Archaeology of Lake Innes House, National Parks and Wildlife Service) The construction of the house and stables would have used large quantities of various types of wood: for roof framing, shingles, flooring, skirting boards, fireplace-surrounds, window and door frames, the window and doors themselves, verandas, stairs and so on, but very little has survived on the site. .
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Physical condition is poor. Archaelogical potential is high.
	Date condition updated:16 Apr 98


Current use:	Ruin, interpretation site (tourist attraction)
Former use:	Aboriginal land, farm estate / rural residence and holding

History

Historical notes:

'Of Australia's state capitals, only Sydney and Hobart are older than 'Port' ', says Mitch McKay, guide on Port Macquarie-Hastings Council heritage walking tours. It is the oldest European settlement north of Newcastle. Port Macquarie is partway through an extended four-year 200th anniversary celebrations of its European discovery. Captain Cook sailed past 'Port' at night and Matthew Flinders taked away from it during his 1802-4 circumnavigation of the continent (The country's fourth lighthouse was placed at 'Tacking Point'). Which left a land explorer, John Oxley (Governor Lachlan Macquarie's surveyor general) to name it in 1818. Oxley had been despatched by Macquarie to discover Australia's mythical inland sea. Instead he found himself following a mighty river he named the Hastings. Oxley had found a 'safe port', that he named after his Governor, recommending it would make a wonderful penal colony for convicts who continued a life of crime after they'd been transported. Previously, these 'secondary offenders' had been sent to Newcastle or Hobart. But by 1818, both cities were semi-respectable. A new, more remote penal colony was needed. (Meacham, 2020, 54).

The town of Port Macquarie was discovered by Oxley in 1818. Macquarie, then Governor, was impressed by reports of the area noting its valuable timber reserves, its suitable farm lands and seaboard location for ready passage by ship to and from Sydney,and thus established Port Macquarie as a penal settlement in 1821. It was one of only two places for secondary punishment of convicts in New South Wales outside Sydney.

In 1821, the first 60 convicts arrived, accompanied by 40 soldiers. Macquarie had been recalled to London, replaced by Sir Ralph Darling who preferred literate criminals to be banished to a place they couldn't communicate with the outside world. These 'specials' built the original colonial town. There were only two hills inside the original town. One became Church (St. Thomas's, the fifth-oldest surviving church in Australia), while the other became State (where the military barracks and Government House stood. Little remains of those early years. By 1830, Port became open to free settlers and 'ticket of leave' convicts who could turn the town and its lush hinterland into a thriving settlement (ibid, 2020, 54).

Lake Innes House was constructed in several stages between about 1831 and 1848, with most of the work being completed by 1843. It was built by Major Archibald Clunes Innes (1800-1857), who was born at Thrumster, in the far north east of Scotland, and arrived in Australia in 1822 with the 3rd regiment of Foot (the Buffs). Following service in Hobart and Sydney, he was briefly Commandant of the Penal Settlement at Port Macquarie from 1826-1827.

After returning to Sydney and resigning from the Army, he was married in 1829 to Margaret Macleay, one of the daughters of Alexander Macleay, the Colonial Secretary, and Innes and his wife were amongst the first free settlers in the Port Macquarie area. He eventually acquired substantial land holdings and business interests on this part of the North Coast and on the adjacent New England tablelands, where his name is remembered to this day in the town of Glen Innes.

His main property, however, consisted of an area of 2560 acres (1036 hectares) near Port Macquarie, on which he constructed a house that gradually grew to the proportions of a country mansion.

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).

Innes was convinced that Port Macquarie would become the main gateway to the coastal area around the Hastings River and to nearby New England. he thought that the port would develop as a means of bringing in supplies from Sydney and elsewhere, and as the outlet for wool from the Tablelands. He was proved wrong: the bar at the entrance to the Hastings was too dangerous to encourage much shipping, and the road that was built up to the Tablelands was found to be a difficult route.

Subsequently it was to be Newcastle and the Hunter Valley that was to provide the principal access to new England. Nevertheless, during the 1830s he prospered, and it was only during the 1840s that personal miscalculation and general economic depression brought him near to insolvency.

The end of the transportation of convicts to New South Wales and the closure of the Port Macquarie Penal Settlement also deprived him of a source of cheap labour, that he had used in the building and running of his house, as well as in some of his other ventures. In the end he was forced to seek government employment and he and his family moved to Newcastle in 1853, where he died a few years later.

In its hey day of the 1830s and 1840s, however Lake Innes House was an important social centre on the edge of settlement, at which Major Innes dispensed generous hospitality to a succession of house guests who in 1847 included even Sir Charles Fitzroy, at that time the Governor of NSW and his wife.

Valuable documentary sources survive from that period, including the diary of Annabella Boswell, a niece of Major Innes, who lived in the house from 1843 to 1848 (Department of Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology University of New England, 1994).

Archibold and Margaret's niece Annabella Boswell (nee Innes) was a pupil of Margaret's, and left a description of the education provided at Lake Innes in the years 1843-7. A special school room was set aside on the property where Margaret instructed her own children - Eliza who was 11 years (old) in 1843, Gordina 7 years and Gustavus 5 years - plus two nieces, Annabella 17 years and her 14 year old sister. "My aunt was a strict disciplinarian, and as long as she lived I stood in awe of her. She carried on the schoolroom work admirably, and allowed no trifling or idle moments. How she managed to devote the morning so entirely to us, having so many other claims on her attention, is now a mystery to me. We flew to the schoolroom at ten o'clock from the breakfast table; she followed in half an hour and remained until one o'clock. We at once read together the Psalms of the day, said texts, Collects, a hymn or portion of Scripture; then followed quickly our various lessons, which we had prepared before breakfast or the previous evening; then we did sums for half an hour while she devoted herself to Gustavus; after that we wrote to dictation, our interest in this never flagging, and our anxiety about our mis-spells was never-failing. I undertook to hear my youngest cousin practise daily and to assist her with her lessons."

In her role as schoolmistress, Margaret did not act completely alone. When the children were small, she had nurses and governesses to care for them and to take part in their education.

"Gustavus had a Scotch nurse...The Girls had a governess, Miss Paine by name, a truly good woman, but more than eccentric...devoted to my cousin Gordina, then a dear little girl of four...I have no doubt her teaching influenced the child's whole life...(There was) a lady who came every week to give music lessons, and stayed always one night."...

In the family tradition, Margaret established her own library at Port Macquarie and stocked and replenished it from Sydney. 'There was a good library in the house' cousin Annabella recalled, 'and a regular supply of books from the Sydney library'. (Windshuttle,1988, 44-5).

"On Saturday 24th June, lunch was held at Lake Innes House in honour of Alexander Macleay (Margaret Innes' father)'s 76th birthday. Annabella Boswell described the party, which:
"went off with great eclat, and then the whole party went out on the lawn...we found about twenty natives assembled there and dancing vigorously, while Bruce played. When they had finished, Dido proposed that we should dance a reel, and at once the whole party seemed inspirec with a wish to join, and really there could not have been a gayer scene; we four girls in white frocks and pink sashes and bows flying through the dance pursued by nimble partners...".
She also described the decoration of the dining table with a large silver epergne (or centrepiece) and top-heavy floral arrangement almost reaching the overhead lamp consisting of:
"some fine hollyhocks (Althaea sp.)(gathered) from the new garden, about two feet high...The large crystal bowl was filled with fine white salt (or sand), and the stems of the flowers supported in it; when all was completed I saw it placed on the table with not a little complacency". (Carlin, 2009).

"The beginning of 1848 was a very quiet time with us, my uncle had had very serious losses, and the establishment at Lake Innes was greatly reduced. Port Macquarie was comparatively deserted, as all the Government officials had been removed. The steamer no longer plied between there and Sydney, so it had ceased to be the port from New England" (Boswell, A., (1848, in) 1992, 1).

On an 1848 visit to Brownlow Hill at Cobbitty Annabella Boswell commented: "I am much interested in the botanical books in the library here, and wish I knew something of botany. It is however, a great pleasure for me to look at the drawings of flowers and fruit, the former more various than I had imagined to exist. We recognised in these books many of our own flowers, growing both at Capita and Port Macquarie (Lake Innes), but I must own that they are excelled in beauty and variety of colouring by the Cape (of Good Hope, i.e. South African) bulbs, many of which we have seen growing at the Lake (Innes)." (Boswell, A., in Crittenden, 1992, 5). Later in the same diary she notes that winemaking will have commenced at the Lake (Innes), thus intimating that vineyards formed part of the estate at that time (ibid, 66).

Following the departure of Major Innes and his family, the house was occupied and owned by a number of people. It was derelict by the beginning of this century and subsequently deteriorated to its present state as a result of a combination of natural decay, vandalism and theft of building materials (Department of Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology University of New England, 1994).

C.1909 Phillip Charley (one of the partners of what became Broken Hill Proprietory (B.H.P.) bought the Port Macquarie estate of Lake Innes and used it for logging (Johns, 'Who's Who', 49; Hungerford,1995, 124-125).

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.	Parks-
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.	Park reserve-
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-
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 - Coasts and coastal features supporting human activities-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities	Working on private assignment-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities	Demonstrating convicts' experiences and activities-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities	Creating a gentleman's estate-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Ethnic influences-Activities associated with common cultural traditions and peoples of shared descent, and with exchanges between such traditions and peoples.	Scottish settlers-
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	Private farming-
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	Farming by detainees and prisoners-
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	Growing vines and maintaining vineyards-
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	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Waterfront tourism-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services	Tourist Industry-
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 passive recreation-
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 parklands of distinctive styles-
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 scenic beauty-
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	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	Modifying landscapes to increase productivity-
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.	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.	Accommodating convicts-
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 famous families-
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	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	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	Selecting land for pastoral or agricultural purposes-
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 towns in response to topography-
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-
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	Role of transport in settlement-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working on pastoral stations-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working in orchards-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working on the land-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Kitchens and servants-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Living in a rural homestead-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Living in, adapting and renovating homes for changing conditions-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Outdoor relief-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Outdoor relief-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Going to the park-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Visiting heritage places-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Gardening-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Activities associated with relaxation and recreation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Going bushwalking-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Visiting places of romantic inspiration-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Enjoying public parks and gardens-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation	Gathering at landmark places to socialise-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Major Archibold Clunes Innes, Penal Settlement Superintendent, Soldier, Farmer, Public Servant-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Margaret Macleay, daughter of Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleay-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Annabella Boswell, gentlewoman, diarist, writer-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	It is directly associated with Major Archibald Innes who was a prominent entrepreneur in NSW during the 1830s and 1840s and the owner of a very large pastroally based empire. He exemplified a class of colonial capitalists and speculators dominant in NSW in the period 1820-1845. The place contains physical evidence of the focus for the hisotry of the land settlement of the New England region. (Clive Lucas & Partners 1987)
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	Major Archibald Innes (1800-1857) was a key figure in the development of Port Macquarie and the New England area. He was one of the largest and wealthiest landholders in NSW comparable to John Jamieson, Henry Dangar, Richard Jones and William Lawson. Glen Innes in northern NSW was named after him. His push to make Port Macquarie the coastal link for the New England region is a key factor in understanding the settlement of this region. Margaret Innes, one of the daughters of Alexander Macleay, is likely to have had a strong influence on the development and layout of the garden house at the Lake Innes estate refecting her personal and family interests in scientific pursuits. The establishment of the Lake Innes Estate represents the rise of the landed upper and middle classes in NSW towards the end of the period of convict transportation. The basis of Innes' wealth and the construction of his was dependant upon convict labour. Innes' convict labour supplied goods for the Port Macquarie penal settlement. The end of transportation played a major role in the decline of Lake Innes House and Major Innes' financial enterprises. In the context of land settlement, the Lake Innes Estate is historically rare in a regional and state context as an example of an 1840s estate with the full range of estate functions still visible in the landscape. The lake Innes Estate is representative of the impact of the end of convict transportation on individuals as well as the colony as a whole.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The stables are an unusually substantial and architectural coutyard stable complex and although ruined are of a rare scale and unique formal design for such colonial buildings in Australia outside Tasmania. The place is one of only a few seaside estates built in NSW in the colonial period and demonstrates contemporary attitudes to landscape design and estate planning shown in the siting of buildings, location of roads and the construction of a lookout tower. (Clive Lucas & Partners 1987)
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The place has been a historical site in the minds of people of the Port Macquarie area and others interested in Australian history for the past 100 years. The immediacy of its historical, evocative and romantic appeal has for many years added to its reputation as an historic site. (Clive Lucas & Partners 1987). The Birpai Local Aboriginal Land council have a strong interest in the management of the Lake Innes Peninsula in particular in the location and management of Aboriginal sites. Sights along lighthouse beach have been assessed as having very high significance to the local Aboriginal people. Regional visitation to the site as interesting ruins commecnced as early as 1900 and visitation has occurred ever since The popularity of NPWS guided tours indicate that there is a strong level of local interest in the site. The Port Macquarie Historical Society has maintained a strong interest in the site since at least the 1950s and holds a number of key items and documents associated with the site including Boswell's diary and a dress belonging to her. The Society has also demonstrated its interests in the site through publications. Press coverage of the NPWS conservation works and UNE archaeological works over the last decade has demonstrated, and helped to maintain, public interest in the site. Proffessor Graham Connah's Lake Innes investigations have employed many students and ex-student volunteers since 1993. The site has formed an important part of their training and the archaeology programme has generated community interest and support. Connah has raised substantial funding for the current research programme indicating a broad interest in his research into the site. Hastings City Council see Major Innes as a potential focus for cultural tourism in Port Macquarie. Major Innes, and sites associated with him, are considered to be of the highest importance in the local community. Motels, roads and other features in the municipality are named after him.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	The place is a unique resource for the study of Australian architecture, gardening, farming history and early 19th century domestic arrangements. The place contains roads which are good examples of convict built civil engineering works to survive unaltered in NSW. The house has the rare remains of an earlt atteached bathroom and boiler room which had hot and cold water services and possibly a sewage system. (Clive Lucas & Partners 1987)
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The house ruins are one of a small number of large colonial period domestic ruins in NSW. It is a rare resource because of the existence of contemporary records (journals, drawing and plan). The Lake Innes Peninsula has natural landscape values of state significance. These inhclude the existence of a viable and healthy koala population and koala habitat as well as a number of other animal species listed under the threatened Species Act. Much of the wetland area is protected under State Environmental Planning Policy 14 (SEPP 14:P Wetlands) and is one of the few major coastal wetlands in NSW not affected by flood mitigation drainage schemes. The natural and cultural scientific and research potential of the Lake Innes Estate is rare in a state context. The extent and integrity of the archaeological remains, including standing archeological remains are rare and provide a unique research opportunity in NSW.
Integrity/Intactness:	While the structural integrity of Lake Innes Estate and associated sites is medium to low the archeological integrity of the entire site is high. Due to the limited development of the Innes peninsula following the death of Archibald Innes, there is still clear visible evidence of the main house and stables and other associated sites which supported the function of the main household. Evidence of brick manufacture, food production and servants' accomodation are all evident on the site. Apart from some illegal digging by fossickers and past researchers on the site, the archeological resource is substantially intact in many areas as demonstrated by the first excavations in 1999.
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	Review 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	Heritage Act	Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): (1) Repair and maintenance to existing roads including grading, filling where necessary and lopping of overhanging trees and branches. (ii) Repair and maintenance to existing fences and gates.	Sep 20 1985
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act	Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): (1)Repair and maintenance to existing roads including grading filling where necessary and lopping of overhanging trees and branches. (2) Repair and maintenance to existing fences and gates.	Mar 13 1987
CMP-Endorse	Conservation Plan submitted for endorsement	Lake Innes Estate CMP	CMP covers archaeological elements as well as setting and associated sites	Dec 19 2000
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		00997	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register
State Environmental Planning Policy			23 Dec 94
Local Environmental Plan			08 Jun 01	95
National Trust of Australia register		4747
Register of the National Estate - Interim	14557

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Wyong Shire Heritage Study	1994	S19	Rod Howard Heritage Conservation Pty Ltd		Yes
National Parks & Wildlife Service Section 170 Register			National Parks & Wildlife Service		No

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Tourism		2007	Lake Innes House ruins and environs	View detail
Written	Aitken, Richard	2002	'Villa Garden' (entry)	View detail
Tourism	Attraction Homepage	2007	Lake Innes House ruins and environs	View detail
Written	Boswell, Annabella	1992	Further Recollections of my early days in Australia - Annabella Boswell's Other Journal 1848-1851
Written	Carlin, Scott	2009	Alexander Macleay & Scottish Traditions in Colonial NSW, in "Highland Fling: Elizabeth Bay House, Sunday 26 July 2009" programme
Management Plan (HC endorsed)	Catherine Snelgrove, for NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS)	2000	Lake Innes Estate CMP
Written	Clive Lucas & Partners	1987	Lake Innes House - Conservation Analysis and Draft Conservation Policy
Written	Connha, Graham	2002	"The 2001 excavation at Lake Innes Estate, Port Macquarie, NSW"
Written	Department of Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology University of New England	1994	Lake Innes House Port Macquarie Brochure
Written	Hungerford, M.	1995	Bilpin, the Apple Country
Written	Johns	1922	Who's Who in the Commonwealth of Australia
Written	Meacham, Steve	2020	Remains to be Seen
Written	Meacham, Steve	2020	Remains to be Seen
Written	Musecape		Lake Innes Ruins, Interpretation Plan
Written	NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service	1999	Lake Innes Nature Reserve: plan of management
Written	NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service		The Archaeology of Lake Innes House
Written	The Interpretive Design Company	2016	Innes Ruins Heritage Signs	View detail
Written	Windshuttle, Elizabeth	1988	Taste & Science: The Macleay Women

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:	5045031
File number:	S90/05364

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