the littlebourne STORY
Once upon a time…
Littlebourne seduces and delights, as the current owners found out thirty years ago when they stepped through the magical door to experience the feeling of thousands of stories to share.
From the first viewing they were swept away by the romance of the homestead’s history, marvelled at its architecture and gorgeous bones and envisioned the joy many others would feel if the homestead was given the love and care it deserved, returning the home to a state of glorious elegance.
Littlebourne’s history spans across nearly 200 years with the first home built in 1830, in the earliest years of European inland settlement. The homestead is on the National Trust Register, recognising the historical significance of the house and its prominent inhabitants.
After recent extensive renovations, the homestead now provides luxury accommodation with every modern convenience for visitors touring Bathurst’s historical sites, gardens, local villages and art communities.
The house provides six stay opti0ns - five of which are expansive bedroom suites (a mix of king, queen and king single arrangements), and the sixth is a beautiful studio apartment (queen). All rooms have stunning ensuites with iron bathtubs and are luxuriously appointed. Each room offers contemporary comfort and tells a story of Littlebourne’s colonial history with style.
Littlebourne is the perfect place to host joyous groups attending vibrant events in Bathurst or nearby Mudgee, Oberon, Orange or the Blue Mountains.
A dedicated concierge service helps guests find everything they need to make their stay at Littlebourne completely fabulous.
Building Littlebourne
Littlebourne was built in 1830 and is one of the oldest colonial era buildings in Bathurst.
The current rambling homestead was built and extended in four main phases:
1830
The original home - two grand reception rooms and two main bedrooms with a veranda on three sides. A number of convict quarters, farm buildings and cottages were built at the time to support the extensive household.
1880
The gold rush wing with four new bedrooms provided grand accommodation and incorporated a convict cottage into the main house building.
1950
A large casual lounge room was added on the western side, the kitchen moved into the main house and unique scalloped concrete veranda edges were added. The convict accommodation wing opposite the convict kitchens was demolished due to derelict state.
2024
The modern pavilion was added to return the courtyard to its original proportion, while providing modern, light filled living and outdoor comfort. Stylish ensuites were built on to each bedroom and a large entertainer’s kitchen is now a delight for cooks and guests alike.
The championship billiard table believed to be from around 1885 has been relocated from the Chifley Suite to the area of the removed 1950 kitchen. The room has been extended to cater for games and parties facing onto the courtyard.
The renovations have been a labour of love, leaning on the skill and expertise of many.
A special thank you to the following people for their contributions through the recent works to ensure Littlebourne remains one of the most fascinating, stylish and comfortable homes west of the Blue Mountains:
Source Architects - for using their extensive heritage experience to maintain and restore original building fabric while sympathetically including modern infrastructure for ensuites, kitchens and essential luxuries over six years of planning and building works
Sibella Court - gorgeous stylist of historic buildings who inspired the rejuvenation of the 1830 reception rooms and hallway.
Hugh Main, Spirit Level Landscapes - who loved the sensory bones of the old fashioned garden and has helped restore and extend plantings.
Friends, family and lovers of Littlebourne – lots of you – mostly elbow deep in the garden or supervising with a local rhubarb gin in hand!
Bathurst Regional Council and Bathurst Visitor Centre - thank you for extending your assistance and support to promote incredible heritage experiences such as Littlebourne.
Destination NSW - A special thank you for embracing the Littlebourne restoration project and supporting the development of wonderful experiences in regional NSW.
