Woodlands

Stepping back in time to 1891, we find ourselves at Woodlands, then known as Inglewood. This grand two-story house, nestled in the Sydney suburb of Killara, was far more than just a residence. It was the birthplace of an Australian literary classic. Woodlands was where Ethel Turner, a young writer with a passion for storytelling, penned her most famous work, “Seven Little Australians”. The house, with its pale blue drawing-room walls and four large windows, provided the perfect backdrop for Turner’s creative endeavors. She often sought inspiration in the surrounding bushland, even completing parts of her novel while perched in an apple tree within the grounds. Woodlands, pre-dating the bustling development of Killara, was originally part of a vast land grant given to local pioneer Henry Oliver. Its Victorian Georgian architecture, later transformed with Federation Filigree embellishments, stands as a testament to the changing architectural landscape of the era. The original striped bullnose verandah roof and cast iron decorations were replaced by elegant timber features, adding a touch of contemporary style to the house. The property, initially accessed via Treatts Road, underwent significant changes over the years, including the addition of a sunroom, a two-story bay with a gabled roof, and modifications to the interior layout. Andrew J. Sievers, who acquired Woodlands in 1895, introduced modern innovations such as a hot water system, a rare luxury at the time. Despite these changes, the essence of Woodlands remains. The drawing-room and bedroom where Turner crafted her stories are still intact, offering a glimpse into the past. The surrounding gardens, with their mature trees, evoke the 19th-century landscape that shaped Turner’s writing. Woodlands, witness to Turner’s literary journey, continues to inspire awe. It serves as a reminder of the power of place in shaping creativity and the enduring legacy of a story that captured the hearts of generations.