Picture this a grand old house standing proudly against the Sydney skyline. This is Collingwood House a piece of living history. Built around 1810 it’s one of the oldest surviving houses in Australia.
Collingwood House wasn’t just any home. It belonged to Captain Eber Bunker a fascinating figure. He arrived in Australia in 1791 on a convict ship. He’s considered the father of the Australian whaling industry. Bunker was a successful trader too exporting whale oil and soap. He even traded with New Zealand India and China. He was a prominent man a landholder and a member of the Vice Admiralty Court.
Bunker’s life was full of adventure. He helped establish a British settlement in Tasmania. He received large land grants including the one where Collingwood House stands. He married three times. His first wife died giving birth to a stillborn child. His second wife Margaret ran Bunker’s Farm while he was at sea. The farm supplied meat to the Government Stores a lucrative business.
Collingwood House wasn’t always just a home. It became the clubhouse for the Liverpool Golf Course. Golf was popular after World War I. The course was designed by Tommy Howard. Collingwood House hosted many prominent families as members. In the 1930s the course expanded to 18 holes.
But times changed. The golf course was sold in 1969. Collingwood House however found a new purpose. It was restored by Heritage Architect Clive Lucas. The restoration was costly. Interestingly everyone originally thought the kitchen block was the main house. It turned out that the main house was next door. The Prime Minister Gough Whitlam officially reopened Collingwood House in 1975. Today it’s a house museum a testament to its rich past.
Collingwood House stands as a reminder of a vibrant past. From its beginnings as Bunker’s Farm to its time as a golf clubhouse it has witnessed history. The house’s architecture reflects changing styles over the years. Its gardens which include lemon-scented gums and forest red gums were meticulously restored. Visit Collingwood House and step back in time. You’ll experience a captivating story of colonial Australia and its people.