Vaucluse House - Vaucluse, New South Wales

Nerine Cummins

Located at 69A Wentworth Road, Vaucluse, New South Wales, Australia
Vaucluse House is a Heritage Listed residence and colonial farm which has been turned into a tourist attraction. It was designed by W.C. Wentworth and built by Sir Henry Browne Hayes and W.C. Wentworth and designed in the Gothic Revival Style. It was completed between 1803 and 1839.
I had heard about Vaucluse House many times before but had never been here and I absolutely loved it. It’s such a treasure and if you ever get a chance to visit, definitely don’t miss the opportunity. It’s such a beautiful place, even the stables, which are so grand. The guide told me that they were designed by a man who designed churches, hence why they were a little grand. The house, stables, outbuildings and kitchen wing are surrounded by 28 acres of formal garden. I loved wandering through the house, discovering the little treasures, even the toilets were a novelty. They are actually a little hidden and easy to miss but the guide led me back to them. On this topic, the staff were always there to answer any questions and to give out a little history on the house. They were marvellous. There’s a little gift shop if you wanted to get something and there’s a wonderful cafe down from the main house. The fountain and gardens around the house are so beautiful and well maintained. The bedrooms on the upper levels are definitely worth the trek upstairs. I loved the little infants chair and the baby’s bed. I really loved kitchen and you have to remember to look around corners because it’s easy to miss something great. It’s FREE to enter and parking ?️ is down near the cafe. Vaucluse House is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10.00am until 4.00pm. I would definitely recommend a visit. A HUGE Thumbs up from me!

Fiona K

If you are interested in the history of the area or this beautiful house , , Vaucluse House is definitely worth a visit.
From the moment you enter the front office / shop area , the staff are willing to answer any questions you may have.
You are able to freely inspect all rooms in the house. It's interesting to see how the rich lived many years ago . The beautiful gardens and trees surrounding the house are very popular for wedding photos.
We were lucky enough to visit while the Jacaranda trees were in flower.

Carpark a short walk away.
Street parking available.

Alice Moon-Star

I enjoyed exploring Vaucluse House and its beautiful estate, especially the picturesque garden with a water fountain surrounded by flowers. Entry is free, and the staff are friendly. The grounds have amenities like a café, parking, public restrooms, and picnic areas, as well as several other buildings, including stables and garden houses.

The estate was built between 1803 and 1839 and the larger house is Gothic Revival architecture, complete with turrets. Inside, there is a large, simple kitchen, a scullery, multiple floors, and an elegant staircase. The grand hallways feature chessboard floors, and the opulent rooms are adorned with red velvet chairs, Italian paintings, and intricate decorations.

The estate’s history is fascinating. The original cottage was built by Irish convict Sir Henry Brown Hayes, who kidnapped the daughter of a wealthy Irishman. Hayes named the property "Vaucluse" after a beautiful spring in France, known as the Fontaine de Vaucluse. In the 1820s, William Charles Wentworth purchased the estate and built the larger house. Wentworth, born on Norfolk Island and educated in Europe, came from a family who owned many properties in the Sydney area, which allowed him to afford the estate. He lived there with his wife and children. By the 1920s, the estate became government-owned and was opened to the public. In the 1960s, 200 native trees were planted on the grounds, and in 2016-2017, the house was refurbished.

Overall, Vaucluse House is a wonderful place to visit, particularly for people interested in social history and architecture.

Michael Drew

A wonderful experience. Beautiful home, spectacular gardens, excellent guides, and a really nice bookshop. And if you get a chance, try to arrange a tour of the related, and nearby, Wentworth family mausoleum.

Ramona Ismail

I really enjoyed my visit at the Vaucluse House. Watching the series Downtown Abbey has proven to be fruitful, as I could relate to the Vaucluse House household operation. The audio explanations were helpful, and I learnt more about the Wentworth family. The only downside was that I wished the Museum Management of Vaucluse House would've opened up the Servants Quarters lodging / rooms section, so we could learn their lifestyles just as much as their Masters, The Wentworth Family. It would be good to allow visitors to see what is above the Butler's Pantry and Office, where the heads of key operations i.e. Housekeeping, Sewing, Nanny, etc. reside / rest.

claire LEE

I'm happy to visit here..

A well-preserved old house... There are hidden gem-like spots everywhere. I didn’t expect much since it’s free entry, but it was really nice. Next time, I’ll check out the café too.

Natalia Borsella

Excellent customer service.
They provide an audio guide to discover the story behind every room.
There is a bathroom near the stables.

Entry is free.
Nice plan for a rainy Sunday like today.

Peter Oeding-Erdel

Great museum and history of a different time.
Lots of effort to represent and talk about the period of the house in its original form.
Thank you to those who do this and the volunteers, too.