Cultural Tourism Success at Belgenny Farm
19th Century · 20th century · Adaptive Re-use · Adaptive Reuse · Agricultural heritage · Agricultural modernism · Agriculture · Agriculture history · Belgenny Farm · Built Heritage · Camden Park Estate · Camden Story · Colonial Architecture · Colonial Australia · Colonial Camden · Colonial frontier · Colonial garden · Colonial NSW · Colonial Settler Community · Colonialism · Commemoration · Convicts · Cowpastures · Cowpastures district · Cowpastures Estates · Heritage · History · History of a building · History of Camden · Macarthur · Macarthur family · Memorial · Memorialisation · Memory · Museums · Nostalgia · Place · Place making · Placemaking · Social History · Stories · Storytelling · Technology · Traditional Trades · Transport · transport history

Cultural Tourism Success at Belgenny Farm

camdenhistorynotes

Belgenny Farm Pioneer Farm Day

At the Belgenny Farm Pioneer Farm Day, visitors to the historic site could immerse themselves in the past at Australia’s oldest intact farming complex. The site was called the ‘Home Farm’ before it was called Belgenny Farm.

The historic day also attracted living-history community groups that demonstrated trades and machinery, as well as historic games and tours.

The weather was overcast and threatening rain for most of the day, yet crowds of people turned out for the range of activities.

Farm site full of history

The farm site comprises farm buildings dating back to 1815 that illustrate its layers of history and represent the different types of farming that took place there.

Each of the buildings has a story to tell about the different forms of farming that were practised on the site. Farming types include sheep for wool and meat; vineyards for wine; cattle for beef, transport, and farm work; horses for farm work and racing; pastoralism for wheat and hay; and finally dairying for whole milk, butter, and cheese.

Cultural tourism at Belgenny Farm

Visiting Belgenny Farm is a cultural tourism destination.

The farm is part of the Macarthur region’s historical tourism, which explores places of historical significance and tells the story of the region’s evolution.

For many of these tourists, it is a chance to walk through history and experience the site beyond the pages of a book or on a phone screen.

A clothing and handicraft stall is being set up for the Pioneer Day outside the 1890 granary, which was used to store corn and livestock feed. On the ground floor, farm implements were stored for use. With adaptive reuse, the building is now used as a function centre with a commercial kitchen and restaurant. Beyond the granary is the 1890s creamery. (I Willis 2026)

The Swiss Education Group states

Every museum, or monument offers a window into a different era, helping travelers reflect on the past while deepening their appreciation of the present. Ultimately, it’s all about gaining perspective, honoring heritage, and connecting with the identity of a place. (Swiss Education Group 2026)

These experiences foster a deeper appreciation for diverse civilisations and generate revenue that supports local economies and heritage preservation.  

Families stream in through the front gate of Belgenny Farm on Pioneer Day. The overcast weather did not deter the hundreds who attended with their families. Here, the visitors are shown walking passed the 1890s creamery with the 1930s community hall in the background and the 1820s stables in the middle distance. (I Willis 2026)

Evocative description

An evocative description of the Farm Day has been provided by Karin and Peter Riordan from the Friends of Belgenny Farm, who have written in the Camden Historical Society newsletter:

 Belgenny Farm was a happy place on Sunday, 24 May.  The weather was kind, and a large number of visitors, mostly families with young children, enjoyed a relaxing, autumnal day at the historic Macarthur home farm. It was a day run by volunteers, assisted by staff from the DPI.  Camden Historical Society was represented by Jo, Ian, Dianne, Dawn and Lee. Their table was located in a prime position – the verandah of the 1814 cottage, where John Macarthur without doubt sat and watched the sun set, over 200 years ago. (Riordan 2026)

Belgenny Cottage dates from 1815, with an additional cottage at the rear designed by Sydney architect Henry Kitchen in 1821. The 1815 cottage was replaced in 1900 due to termite damage. John Macarthur was confined to the cottage after being declared legally insane in 1832 by the NSW Supreme Court due to erratic and hostile behaviour. (I Willis 2026)

There was much to enjoy: live music by the OJs, quality stalls of hand crafted goods and produce, steam engines. Tours were organised, and there were activities such as “Become a Belgenny Farm Hand” for the kids, “Have a go Croquet” and “Disc Golf”.  The Nepean Scouts had a selection of fun adventure activities as well. The event was organised by The Friends of Belgenny Farm, an organisation of volunteers who encourage the use, enjoyment and benefit of Belgenny Farm by the community. They ran a delightful Tea Room, with scones baked by The Menangle Store.

Once again, the Drover’s Camp Fire was a highlight. Clancy’s Jake and John brought to life “the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended”, and left the visitors to ponder a night campfire and “the wond’rous glory of the everlasting stars”.

A big thank you to everyone involved. A fitting conclusion to National Volunteer Week 2026: “Your Year to Volunteer”. Next event:  “Back to Belgenny” on 8 August. (Riordan 2026)

The Menangle steamers from the Campbelltown Steam and Machinery Museum set up an active display of vintage steam engines outside the 1890s creamery. Stationary engines like these would have driven the mechanical separator in the creamery, which used milk from the Camden Park dairy herd. The steamers are part of the historic re-enactment scene that creates a living history display on Pioneer Days. (I Willis 2026)

Volunteers

Vicki from the Department of Primary Industry has written about the Farm Day

It was clear that a great deal of thought and organisation went into the event, from the wide range of food stalls, activities and exhibitors through to the market stalls. We were so impressed by the passion and commitment shown by everyone in the lead-up and on the day. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the site, gathering around the drovers’ camp, playing croquet and exploring all that Belgenny Farm has to offer.

 It brings great joy to see so many members of the community enjoying Belgenny Farm for its unique history, open green spaces, and connection to farm life and agriculture, which are such an important part of Australia’s identity. (Vicki 2026)

Volunteers John and Jake are looking after the drovers’ camp, where the camp ovens were used to cook damper, which was then sold at the Friends of Belgenny Farm stall. Customers could put honey or Golden Syrup on their damper. It was reported there was a yumminess to the damper and Golden Syrup combination. (I Willis 2026)

The chairman of the Friends of Belgenny Farm, Eva Campbell, has written this about the day

I would also like to add my personal thanks and gratitude to everyone who was able to be present volunteering on the day.  The weather was unbelievably kind to us, and this was undoubtedly one of the factors behind the large number of people who simply turned up at the gate on Sunday without a prebooked ticket.  (Campbell 2026)

Reflection

Pioneer Farm Day 2026 was a success for the organisers, the Friends of Belgenny Farm.

While there is no exact number of visitors, it has been reported that the coffee van had over 200 sales located just inside the front gate entry,  over 14 dozen scones were sold for afternoon tea at Belgenny Cottage, the sausage stall sold out and had to go for more and around 120 farm scavenger hunt entries were handed out for children to complete as they walked around the site. A compilation of these stats would suggest there were between 250 and 300 visitors. All up a good result.

The Swiss Education Group website states

Cultural tourism invites travelers to move beyond the expected and experience the heart of a destination: its people, traditions, food, art, and history. It’s a rewarding way to see the world while building empathy, deeper understanding, and unforgettable memories. (Swiss Education Group 2026)

This certainly occurred at Belgenny Farm.

1940s Massey Ferguson tractor located outside the 1930s community hall, which both face the central courtyard of the farming complex in front of the 1820s stables. This tractor is a relic of the mechanisation of Camden Park, when tractors replaced the horse teams used on the farm. (I Willis 2026)

Conclusion

The Pioneer Farm Day was a great success, with many visitors reporting they were pleased with the activities offered by the organisers.

Belgenny Farm historic site offers visitors an immersive experience that lets them step back into the past in an authentic setting. The farm is a cultural tourist attraction where visitors are invited to move beyond the experience of a reconstructed historic village, creating unforgettable memories and a deeper understanding of the area’s colonial past.

References

Campbell, Eva 2026, Email to Friends of Belgenny Farm, 26 May.

Riordan, Karin and Peter,  2026, ‘Belgenny Farm Pioneer Farm Day’. Camden Historical Society Newsletter, Winter.

Swiss Education Group 2026. What Is Cultural Tourism? Benefits and Examples.  SHMS Swiss Hotel Management School. Online at   https://www.shms.com/en/news/cultural-tourism/  Accessed 31/5/26

 Vicki 2026. Email to Friends of Belgenny Farm, 26 May.

Visitors arriving at the front gate of Belgenny Farm where they received an information pack on the day’s activities. (I Willis 2026)

Discover more from Camden History Notes

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Published by camdenhistorynotes