Built in the 1880s, Retford Park is a place of great heritage significance and natural beauty. On Gundungurra country, designed by Sydney architect, Albert Bond, and built by merchant and stockbreeder, Samuel Horden, it is home to a grand Victorian Italianate mansion, surrounded by pristine gardens and framed by an arboretum of towering trees.
In 1964, James Fairfax, AC, former chairman of John Fairfax Ltd (later known as Fairfax Media), bought Retford Park and transformed the agricultural property into a gentleman's estate. Mr Fairfax was a well-known champion of the arts and a generous philanthropist. In 2016 he gifted his historic home and its magnificent gardens to the National Trust.
Retford Park houses one of the best collections of 16th, 17th and 18th century English furniture in Australia, rare and historically significant trees and plants, and a striking modernist pool pavilion, designed by Melbourne architect, Guilford Bell.
The gardens are a wonder to walk through at any time of the year with seasonal changes. Impressive sculptures by various Australian artists are scattered throughout the grounds. The collections of fine furniture, artworks, textiles and ceramics belonging to the former owner, James Fairfax can be viewed through a guided house tour, open on weekends. Book online through Eventbrite for house tour or garden visit tickets. Garden visit and limited house tour tickets available at the door.
