Weatherboard Inn Archaeological Site

Item details

Name of item: Weatherboard Inn Archaeological Site
Type of item: Archaeological-Terrestrial
Group/Collection: Transient Accommodation
Category: Other - Transient Accommodation
Location: Lat: -33.7070404406 Long: 150.3738560620
Primary address: 1-15 Matcham Avenue, Wentworth Falls, NSW 2782
Local govt. area: Blue Mountains
Local Aboriginal Land Council: Deerubbin
Property description
Lot/Volume CodeLot/Volume NumberSection NumberPlan/Folio CodePlan/Folio Number
PART LOT5 DP38658
All addresses
Street AddressSuburb/townLGAParishCountyType
1-15 Matcham AvenueWentworth FallsBlue Mountains   Primary Address
Adele AvenueWentworth FallsBlue Mountains JamisonCookAlternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation NameOwner CategoryDate Ownership Updated
Blue Mountains City CouncilLocal Government23 Mar 99

Statement of significance:

This site has considerable local, regional and national significance exemplifying the reasons for the development of the Blue Mountains area and as part of the great outward expansion of the colony during the early decades of the 19th century.

The site has strong associations with significant historical figures such as Charles Darwin and assistant surveyors Govett and Hay. It exemplifies a strong social factor of the early colony; the transitory state of the population between home, work and institutional places requiring rest stops such as this former inn.

There is strong scientific and research potential in this site if significant sections of the original and developed inn complex are still intact. Building techniques and materials from an early period of the colony's development, local technical variations and materials exploitation, dependence on Sydney supplies and the organisation of a large inn site are all research themes that could be explored (Thorp, 1985)

Much of the place now known as Pitt Park was cleared in the mid-late 1810s and used as a camping area and stockade by the military and travellers. This place, along with an area from Wentworth Falls Railway Station, through Coronation Park and the shopping centre, played an integral role in the colonisation of NSW, particularly in the development of the road across the Blue Mountains to the west.

The place was also crucial in the development of the location of Wentworth Falls. From the time William Cox established a depot in 1814 just to the east of what is now Pitt Park, the place became the nucleus of what was to become the town of Wentworth Falls. The depot was close to the current location of the railway station, and the swamp to the west became a feedlot for stock, and the surrounding grounds a camping area. The Weatherboard Inn was subsequently established on the west side of the swamp in the late 1820s and the surrounding area was used as a military depot and camping area for another 30-40 years.

Half of Pitt Park is now a significant recreation area, and Pitt Park is an important community resource for residents and visitors. (abrided overview of significance, Blue Mountains City Council, 2004)
Date significance updated: 30 Dec 03
Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description

Construction years: 1814-1827
Physical description: An archaeological site within Pitt Park, Matcham Avenue, Wentworth Falls, containing remains of a former (1827) inn, former Cox's depot (c.1814 weatherboard hut).

Site also contains a 1936 memorial tree, a holm/ evergreen/ holly oak (Quercus ilex), planted by the Naturalist Society of NSW in 1936 to commemorate the visit and stay in the Inn in 1836 of British naturalist Charles Darwin.
Modifications and dates: 1985 excavation by BMCC for gravel deposits
Current use: public park
Former use: Aboriginal land, road building depot, military post, timber-getting, staging inn, grazing ground

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.

Wentworth Falls European settlement:
First settlement in the (Wentworth Falls) area was initiated by William Cox during his road construction programme over the Blue Mountains to the Western Plains.

In the immediate vicinity to the Inn site, in 1814, William Cox's second depot had been established on this site - the original weatherboard hut, built by convicts Cox had build the road over the Blue Mountains. Cox chose a site for this hut close to a stream 'of excellent water'. The depot was built between 1/10/1814 - 8/10/1814.

'The situation is very pleasant, being a ridge high enough in the front (which is due east) to overlook the standing timber altogether, and at the back there is a considerable quantity of ground without a tree, and a rivulet of fine spring water running through it. On this ground there is the grass tree and other coarse food, which the bullocks eat and fill themselves pretty well.'(Wm.Cox, 1815 journal, cited in Mackaness, p.42) 'The building is 17'x12' with 3 foot sides, the whole weatherboarded; gable ended weatherboards and with a door on the east end (it)cost me eight men, ten days'.

(This would appear to have been the first colonial building in what later became Wentworth Falls). This hut was for some time a military post with a small detachment of 9 soldiers and later six mounted police were stationed there. Between 1814-1822 it was used as a dining room by travellers, and the site was used as a camping ground.

Between the mid 1810s and 1855 the area (now Pitt Park) was used for camping and stock feeding. The area (from the present Coronation Park to Pitt Park) was used as a military camp/depot/post/lockup and stockade/ site of military and police activities.

The hut evolved into a staging post for long westward journeys - Governor Macquarie used it on his journey to Bathurst in April-May 1815. It became known as a place where travelling stock could find fodder and its name of "the weatherboard hut" was shortened to 'weatherboard', this even being used in official papers. The hut appears to have burnt down by c.1823. The area was long used for camping and stock feeding.

In June 1826 Governor Darling received a request from John Mills for a small land grant in the area called the 'weatherboad hut', to build an inn. He was granted one hundred acres conditional on the type of building he would build, with a liquor license for 3 years free of duty payments, and 400 acres of more fertile land elsewhere.

The Weatherboard Inn itself appears to have begun construction shortly before 1827. By 1829 Mills reported he had completed construction of a substantial dwelling place, consisting of two sitting rooms, six bedrooms, a seven stall stable, sheepfold, a paddock for horned cattle and horses and other outbuildings.

Mills was granted 100 acres (about 40 ha) by Governor Darling (portion 11, Parish of Jamison, County of Cook) in 1829, the same year he completed the Inn. By June 1829 Mill's establishment and the 100 acres were sold at public auction to satisfy debts. The new owner was Alexander Fraser, who stated that he finished the construction of the inn and demanded the additional 400 acres promised to Mills. Following some wrangling the land was eventually given to George Innes who had financed Mills in erecting the inn (Thorpe 1998).

After the final settlement the inn passed through a number of hands, both owners and licensees. In 1833 the first license was issued and the Inn named "The Bathurst Traveller". C.1835 Fraser sold the inn to William Boyles, who held it 'at least from 1835 until his death in 1842.' In 1836 English naturalist Charles Darwin stayed at the Inn (Thorpe, 1998). At the time Darwin was on board HMS Beagle making a world tour under Captain Fitzroy, mapping latitudes. Darwin was 26. He lunched at the Weatherboard Inn on his way west to Bathurst in January 1836, sidetracked along what is now called the Charles Darwin Walk to view the Jamison Valley. On his return trip from Bathurst to Sydney, Darwin stayed again three nights (during which time he again walked to admire the view from the top of the Wentworth Falls)(Nicholas, 2008, 10).

An 1839 advertisement for the Inn's lease noted "a large establishment, including 3 parlours, 7 bedrooms, kitchen, taproom, bar, stores and stabling for 17 horses, as well as a large and well stocked garden, furniture and stock' (Thorpe 1998).

Descriptions of 1839 indicate a large and successful operation, famous as 'the weatherboard inn', with three parlours, seven bedrooms, kitchen, taproom and bar, stores and suitable stabling for 17 horses, and a large and well stocked garden. The inn was a stage for early coach lines including Cobb & Co..

In 1840 the inn was purchased by William Boyles and willed to his daughter in 1842. That same year she married Edward Dougherty, and the estate remained with them until 1896. (Thorpe, 1998). In 1847 it was renamed 'the Weatherboard Inn'. In 1855 the military camp/depot/lockup was moved/ transferred to 18 Mile Hollow (Woodford).

With the coming of the railway line (an 1862 railway survey plan showed the inn; the railway line to Weatherboard opened in 1867, and the line to Mount Victoria opened in 1868) and subsequent decline in road traffic the Inn appears to have gone out of business. There is some possibility that the inn may have subsequently been occupied by a C A Wilson while he established an accomodation house near the railway platform, or that it was used as additional accomodation to this building, but this is speculative at best.

After 1867 the Inn's history is obscure, it is not even certain when or how the buildings were destroyed or demolished. In 1877 George Matcham Pitt acquired nearby land, and in 1888 he conveyed the acreage to his son, Robert Matcham Pitt.

It was not until 1879 that certain features (eg: the 'Weatherboard' railway, post office etc) were renamed 'Wentworth Falls'. (From archaeological investigation in 1985) it appears that part of the inn was destroyed by fire in the later 19th century.

In 1889 Coorah was built.

The inn was purchased by Robert Jones in 1894. In 1896 the land was bought by a Mr Pitt who, earlier had established a home and gardens in the near vicinity. He commenced damming part of the creek to allow water supply to his gardens. That same year the town's name was officially changed to Wentworth Falls.

In 1914 the land began to be subdivided. Mrs Marie Pitt gave the lot on which the School of Arts now stands to the Trustees of the Wentworth Falls Literary Institute, and other portions were given to her daughters.

In 1934 Mr RM Pitt gave one lot (#5)(10 acres, 1 rood, 17 perch) to the Blue Mountains City Council for dedication as parkland. In 1935 the land that became Pitt Park was donated to Council for public use in 1935 (possibly under the terms of the will of RM Pitt). These were the primary portions containing the old inn site. The park was named Pitt Park. Parts of it were developed as sports fields. The remainder of the 100 acres grant for the inn, south of the railway, is gradually being acquired by Blue Mountains City Council for open space.

In 1936 the Naturalist Society planted an evergreen/holm/holly oak (Quercus ilex) on the site, to commemorate the centennary of the visit and stay in the inn of English naturalist, Charles Darwin. This tree is separately recognised on the Blue Mountains Register of Significant Trees.

Adjoining lots (6&7) which had passed into the hands of Mrs Effie Mathews and Mrs S A Smith were also given to Council to incorporate into the park, 'for the purposes of recreation'. These were three separate land owners (donating land), two of whom's land being the primary portions containing the old inn site. (Thorpe, 1998).

In 1940 Effie Matthews agreed to convey to Council in fee simple 4 acres, 33 perches being portion 6 of William Boyle's 100 acre grant (portion 11) Parish of Jamison, County of Cook). That same year Murial Smith agreed to convey to Council in fee simple also. The park was named Pitt Park, after Robert Matcham Pitt (1849-1935).

The land containing the remains is now part of Pitt Park, a Council owned park.

In 1952 the Blue Mountains Historical Society unveiled a bronze plaque attached to a large stone as a memorial to the 'weatherboard' on the site. It appears that by 1967 this plaque had been stolen, as were others in the Blue Mountains. BMHS requested that Council fence the site to protect it, and Council declining, the BMHS removed the stone to the grounds of its museum. A concrete slab remains on site in which the stone had formerly been set.

In 1985 the site came to the Heritage Council's attention when Blue Mountains City Council began removing gravel from Pitt Park to use in road building, when workers uncovered sandstone blocks and bricks. Further work resulted in the uncovering of artefacts including bricks, coins, bottles, a clay pipe, crockery and a bobbin commemorating Queen Victoria's coronation in 1830. Work ceased and an archaeological excavation was undertaken along with historical study. Finding the site significant, sand was dumped on it to cap the remains and protect them from weathering and vandalism. (Thorp, 1985)

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)New South Wales themeLocal 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. Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Changing the environment-
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. Modification of terrain-
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 for the Crown-
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-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Commerce-Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services Innkeeping-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements Public tramline system-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements Building and maintaining public roads-
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 travellers and tourists-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - administering public roads and bridges-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - building and operating public infrastructure-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - facilitating agriculture-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Donald Gazzard, Architect-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Governor (Mjr-Gen., later Gnl., Sir) Ralph Darling and Eliza Darling, 1826-1830-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Charles Darwin, British naturalist, author-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with William Cox, road builder over Blue Mountains, magistrate, farmer-

Recommended management:

No further quarrying should be allowed on this site. Those structural remains which have been revealed be given proper protection subject to the advice of a materials conservator. That the section of the site already quarried be rehabilitated to avoid further probems such as waterlogging and erosion, which could be harmful to the nearby cultural material That interpretative material explaining the site's significance be placed on site to raise public awareness. That artefacts already retrieved from the site be placed with a suitable local authority for maintenance and storage. This shall be subject to advice from Blue Mountains City Council. The relics shall be maintained as a discreet archaeological assemblage subject to advice from the consultant. (Thorp, 1985) Any work carried out on the School of Arts building or adjacent lands should respond to the scale and architectural character of the existing building and land. The land and building are to be managed in a way that supports the significant heritage value of the building and place. A heritage impact statement is to accompany any development application for the site or lands adjoining Interpretive signage should be provided about Pitt Park, the former Weatherboard Inn archaeological site and Darwin's Oak tree (CoBM, 2004)

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of actDescriptionTitleCommentsAction date
57(2)Exemption to allow workHeritage Act Maintenance gardens and roads


Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1):
(1) Garden maintenance including cultivation, pruning, weed control, the repair and maintenance of existing fences, gates, garden walls and tree surgery but not extensive lopping;
(2) Eradication of noxious plants and animals. (Weed species in natural areas to be removed either by manual means or treated by spot application of herbicide to avoid affects on native vegetation).
(3) Maintenance and repairs to existing access roads. 		May 2 1986
57(2)Exemption to allow workHeritage Act Garden & Road Maintce See File For More

Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1):
(1) Garden maintenance including cultivation, pruning, weed control, the repair and maintenance of existing fences, gates, garden walls and tree surgery but not extensive lopping;
(2) Eradication of noxious plants and animals. (Weed species in natural areas to be removed either by manual means or treated by spot apllication of herbicide to avoid affects on native vegetation).
(3) Maintrenance and repairs of existing access roads. 		Aug 5 1988
57(2)Exemption to allow workStandard 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

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

Listings

Heritage ListingListing TitleListing NumberGazette DateGazette NumberGazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register 0059502 Apr 99 271546
Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former 0059505 Aug 88 1264170
Local Environmental Plan 199128 May 93 522585
Local Environmental Plan 199127 Dec 91 18310830

References, internet links & images

TypeAuthorYearTitleInternet Links
Tourism 2007Weatherboard Inn Archaeological Site View detail
TourismAttraction Homepage2007Weatherboard Inn Archaeological Site View detail
WrittenCity of Blue Mountains2004Pitt Park Plan of Management (Pitt Park and Wentworth Falls School of Arts) Community Land Reserve 2-025 View detail
WrittenNicholas, Frank2008Celebrating Charles Darwin - a call to celebrate two anniversaries in 2009
WrittenThorp, Wendy1985Archaeological Investigation The Weatherboard Inn Site, Wentworth Falls

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

The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name: Heritage NSW
Database number: 5045260
File number: S90/03585

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