Lawson’s Estate Review: check into reimagined luxury heritage accommodation

Melanie McGrath waves us down from the front porch, directing us to pull up behind the 1,000-hectare estate. We’re approaching hour three of our drive from Sydney and while the sealed roads made the journey relatively easy, we’re about ready to stretch our legs.  

Melanie races around the old colonial-style building, greeting us with genuine warmth and enthusiasm. 

“Welcome to Lawson’s Estate!” she says, extending her hand for a shake.  

Melanie is the fourth person in history to own property which we would soon learn was the first farm and oldest residence over the Blue Mountains. She and her husband purchased it in November 2024 with a vision of reimagining the estate as luxury heritage accommodation and more importantly, opening this remarkable property to the public.  

Four months later, they welcomed their first guests and have maintained a steady stream of bookings since.  

“Most visitors come from Sydney. They’re mainly groups of around 16 people or more visiting for anything from intimate weddings to anniversary celebrations, and we even recently had a group of astronomers come up for a weekend of stargazing,” she explains.  

While today Lawson’s Estate is a place of tourism and celebration, it was once the first European farm to be established in the Central West by William Lawson, the first European to cross the Blue Mountains. William and his family lived in the Homestead while the red coat generals and up to 28 convicts (at a time) were housed in the parallel Convict Barracks – both constructed between 1820 and 1824.  

“Everything here was built by the convicts,” Melanie says. “Even the bricks. The convicts handmade the bricks. This is all a tangible link to the past.”  

Although we’re standing on a site with over 200 years of historical significance, the extent of the estate was relatively unknown until more recently.  

“The second family to own the property was very private and didn’t really tell anyone about what they had here,” Melanie explains.  

Then came along the Hennessy’s, the third owners, who quickly learned that they were buying into a remarkable legacy.  

“The couple wanted people to understand what was here on Lawson’s Estate, but they didn’t have the capacity to open it up to the public,” she adds. “Part of the reason they were keen to sell to us was because we love the history and promised to really get it out there.”  

We’ve barely made it around the driveway and Melanie’s passion for Lawson’s Estate, particularly its legacy, is already rubbing off. I’m amazed by how tall the Barracks still stands, one of the last still standing in Australia, thanks to the architectural restraint of the convicts that helped maintain the building’s position despite shifts in the earth. Then there’s the shallow dip worn into the front step, eroded by the countless feet that have crossed its threshold over the past 200 years.  

As we step inside, I turn back just in time to see a family of sparrows flock from one nearby tree to another, letting me know that the preservation of nature is just as significant here at Lawson’s Estate as much as its history. 

Checking into Australia’s past

As part of the guest experience, Melanie provides every guest with an immersive tour of the estate. Slowly making our way across the property, she taps into her skills as a former educator to pass on two centuries’ worth of knowledge.   

In the warm cooking area, she explains how the women prepared meals for hundreds of men every day, and looking down the well, we discover the depths convicts went to in order to provide the estate with life’s necessity – water.  

She takes us through the general quarters in the Convict Barracks and shows us the cramped space convicts were squeezed into. We see the small and simple room reserved for female servants as well as the Sheerer’s Shed, which is one of the oldest (and still operating) in Australia. She even takes us below ground to the old cellar where perishables were kept until use.  

“We have items here that should be in a museum,” Melanie says as she points to a black and white photo of a colonial woman, explaining that her bodice was found by previous owners and placed in storage. “It’s wrapped in asbestos but as soon as it’s cleared, we’d like to place it in a glass display here, in the general quarters.” 

The tour sets the tone for our visit. Booking a stay at Lawson’s Estate isn’t just a luxury escape; it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in more than 200 years of Australian history.  

The rooms and beyond

Despite its age, careful restoration work over the last decade has given the estate a modern feel without stripping its past.  

On the outside, a fresh coat of paint, new windows and a small extension to the Homestead mask any visible signs of aging, while on the inside, each room has been thoughtfully designed for comfort, luxury and of course, the past, in mind.  

Spread across several heritage buildings, the estate sleeps up to 33 guests, with camping also available for larger groups. 

We’re staying in two of the Homestead’s master bedrooms, each featuring spacious and comfortable king-size beds covered with high-quality feather-filleddoonas and a selection of pillows. Lamps stand on the bedside tables for extra in-room lighting, along with a blanket box with spare bedding, and plantation shutters overlooking the estate.    

While each room comes with air conditioning, the heating takes a little while to warm up the space. If you’re visiting in winter, pack a few extra layers, especially slippers, as the evenings can get very chilly. 

At the centre of the Homestead, and where I sit typing this review, is the Whisky Room. Located between the grand living room and the kitchen, it’s a communal seating area with elements inspired by an old school whisky bar. Dark navy walls, brown leather sofas, and one of the estate’s original fireplaces, sealed behind glass as a time capsule to the 1800s, create the atmosphere of an old-world whisky lounge. The room is a great place to chat, relax or sip on whisky, and has a great talking point in the form of a mounted deer head, preserved by taxidermy, and shot by the McKibbins in 1890.  

The estate also features a fully fitted kitchen, equipped with an industrial stove, four-slice toaster, an oven, microwave, fridge – all the makings of a modern kitchen. There’s also a laundry room, grand dining table (with a scenic view), and state-of-the-art bathrooms fitted with a two-person bathtub, large shower, as well as hair and body cleansing products.  

Despite the modern comforts, it’s the historical touches that leave the biggest impression. Original convict shoes, hand-drawn maps, bronze mirrors, well-worn candlesticks and other carefully preserved pieces are scattered throughout the Homestead, turning every room into a small chapter of the estate’s 200-year story. 

Things to do here and there

When bringing her vision for Lawson’s Estate to life, Melanie made entertainment a priority, ensuring there are activities to keep guests of all ages entertained.That’s how the estate ended up with a games room with a pool table and table tennis. She placed a soccer goal out front of the estate for guests wanting to playball, picnic tables for dining amongst the incredible view, and a spa for a late-night dip.  

“It’s interesting to see how different groups use the space for entertainment,” Melanie says. “We had a wedding party recently where the teens spent the night chatting outside the Shear’s Quarters, while the adults were all around the bonfire outside the Convict Barracks.”  

Melanie tells us that she has exciting plans to build on the property’s offerings, including the installation of a pool.  

“It will give our guests something else to do, and I think a lot more people will choose to host their parties, including weddings, around that area.”  

For visitors looking for entertainment beyond the estate, there’s food, shopping, beauty treatment and more only 15 minutes away along the main strip of Bathurst.  

Best suited for

Lawson’s Estate is best suited for groups, mid-sized celebrations, families (big or small), honeymooners, or anyone looking for a luxurious, unique stay only three hours outside of Sydney. 

For more information and bookings visit https://lawsonsestate.com.au