John Oxley Cottage is built on land that was originally part of the grant made by Governor Lachlan Macquarie to John Oxley, 1000 acres in 1815 – Kirkham and 850 acres in 1816 – Ellerslie. No record has been found of its original builder but it is a typical “workman’s cottage” thought to have been built in the 1890s as part of a row of similar cottages along the road into Camden.
read more »
Local attractions
Cobbitty Village
Governor Macquarie named this area Cobbedee, and when Gregory Blaxland was granted land here in 1812, he called it Cubbady Farm. The village of Cobbitty, nestled on the Nepean River, attracts much interest because of the lush country views and beautifully kept historic buildings. Stroll through the markets, held on the first Saturday of the month.
read more »
Camden Valley Inn Historic Property
Built in the early 1930s originally as a milk bar, but always as a popular meeting place for locals. The “Camden Vale Inn”, as it was then known, was built to promote the pure and wholesome milk of Camden Park. Today the inn has changed from milk bar to restaurant and a luxury hotel inn, after being granted its tavern licence in 1989.
Today the Camden Valley Inn has been totally redeveloped and now shows very little of its heritage beyond a wire sculpture of an early milk bottle. The facade fronting onto the Old Hume Highway has been retained and modernised but does not have the same impact as the Ivy covered facade of the past. read more »
Camden Park House Historic Property
The building and design of Camden Park House, which preoccupied the mind of John Macarthur in the last years of his life, was begun by his sons, James and William, in 1832 and completed in 1835, a year after John’s death.
read more »
Razorback Lookout
Razorback has panoramic views of the district and to Sydney and was the location for the 1979 Hume Highway blockade by the truck drivers union.
read more »
Quondong Cottage Historical Property
Quondong was the first catholic school in Australia to be built from private subscription. The Catholic Church acquired the land in November 1840, from Mary Shiels. It had a gabled hall of plastered brick. The veranda across the front was added later, as were the urns on the round-topped pilaster-buttresses. It was built in 1840 and appears to be named after a Kurrajong tree at the front which was mistakenly believed to be a native Quandong tree. read more »
Macarthur Park
This beautiful park was opened 1906 and has a number of different areas including a heritage rose garden, the wisteria walk, the Cenotaph honouring World War I soldiers and a shelter built in 1913 in memory of Mrs Elizabeth Macarthur-Onslow.
read more »
Japanese Gardens & Tea House
The Japanese Gardens have a traditional waterfall, koi pond, timber bridge, stonework paths and flourishing plants. The teahouse was a Bicentennial gift from Koshigaya, Campbelltown’s sister city in Japan.
More Info »
Glenalvon – Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society
Built in 1840 by Michael Byrne, this fine Colonial Georgian townhouse is home to the Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society. Wander through this beautiful historic property and visit the custom built Alex Goodsell Rural Exhibition Centre, showcasing the agricultural heritage in the area. The entire complex, including the coach house and stables, sits in a peaceful heritage garden. read more »
The Epicure Store – Camden Cottage
The Epicure Store, housed in the Heritage Camden Cottage, offers a beautiful selection of gourmet food products sourced from the local area, from artisan producers around Australia and the culinary capitals of Europe. The perfect place to find a special treat for yourself or gift for someone special. read more »