Burnima Homestead 3.42

Burnima Homestead was built in 1896 for grazier Mr Henry Tollemache Edwards. By Frederick Young of Queanbeyan (builder of “Yarralumla”, residence of the Governor General).

It is situated 5 miles from the Bombala township on the Bombala River, famous for its trout and platypus.

The homestead is a Victorian Gothic style two storied mansion comprising of some 32 rooms, including ten bed rooms, formal sitting rooms,
dining room, drawing room, smoking and billiard room and servants quarters.

The 6 acre gardens are set out with trees, pines, conifers, spruces, cedars from every part of the world . The torolosas hedge bounds the tennis court separating the period stables from the formal garden. Remnants of the original orchard still bear fruit that once supplied the homestead pantry.

This is a complete and fine example of a working Victorian homestead; such an atmosphere is created that once you enter the grounds through the formal carriage way you step back to 1890. The opulence of the homestead and the tranquillity of the gardens place you in an era long gone.

The turn of the century brought great changes, the industrial revolution,WW1 saw a definite decline in the traditional Victorian Formality, then the Great Depression and by the time of the second world War the Formal Victorian Class had all but disappeared .
Burnima was in the height of the Victorian era and this Wealth and Formality was upheld by the last residing family member Miss Edith Edwards until her passing in 1952. This lends to the homesteads originality to this day.

The Estate was once self-sufficient so it will delight students, garden lovers and historians alike, with the examples of early farm machinery, engines, carriages, black smith shop, stables and various out buildings.

Burnima Estate is 2hrs from Canberra and half way between Sydney and Melbourne, it makes a pleasant days outing. I encourage you to visit and experience a rare example of an early Australian Homestead and Estate.