I was recently out and about visiting one of Sydney’s hidden gems that very few people know about. It is the splendid and historic Yaralla Estate in Concord, NSW.
The entrance paddocks of the Yaralla Estate are a significant example of a sizeable nineteenth estate in Sydney. It is a rare example because it incorporates an entire 1790s land grant within its boundaries (I Willis, 2018)
The Yaralla estate has a colourful history and the site has been occupied by some famous Australians.
Woodbine Cottage. This is the oldest building on the Yaralla Estate, dating from before 1833 and built by the family of Isaac Nichols shortly after his death. It is a timber cottage and has been modified since its completion. (I Willis, 2018)
Yaralla Estate Driveway approaching Yaralla House. Described by the State Heritage Inventory as ‘composed of brush box (with the occasional eucalypt exception) and runs from the entrance gates between grassed west and east paddocks (until recently containing horses) leading to the inner set of estate gates and fencing containing the homestead, dairy complex, stables and parkland garden’. (I Willis, 2018)
The next prominent owner was Sydney banker and philanthropist Thomas Walker acquiring the property from Nichols’s sons in the 1840s. He commissioned Sydney architect Edmund Blacket to design a large two-story Victorian mansion called Yaralla House. Walker died in 1886, leaving the estate in trust with his only daughter Eadith.
Thomas left a bequest of 100,000 pounds from his will to construct the Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital in the western portion of the Yaralla estate.
Thomas Walker’s Yaralla House. Edmund Blacket designed Stage 1 in 1857 with additions by John Sulman 1893-1899. The house was converted into a hospital in 1940, the Dame Eadith Walker Convalescent Hospital. (I Willis, 2018)
Sydney architect Sir John Sulman was commissioned to extend the house in the 1890s. He extended the house’s second floor and designed several outbuildings, including the dairy and stable buildings.
The Arts and Crafts-inspired stables were designed by John Sulman between 1893 and 1899. The complex was used as a coach house, stables, and later as garages, offices, and storage space. (I Willis, 2018)
Yaralla House and the grounds are strikingly English-in-style and layout. The Arts and Crafts influenced Sulman buildings in the idyllic setting of an English estate garden and park.
The dairy, a U-shaped building inspired by Arts and Crafts design, was part of the John Sulman estate works. This image taken in 1917 shows the predominantly Jersey dairy herd, which had 1200 cows and produced 300 gallons per day at one stage. (CCBHS Display)
were sub-divided in 1908, 1912, and 1922, becoming estates of Federation and Californian bungalow homes built for soldiers after World War I.
The Walker Estate at Concord. The subdivision was sold at a public auction on 21 November 1908. The streets included Gracemere, Beronia, Waratah and Alva Streets. The sale was organised by Auctioneers Raine & Horne at their Pitt Street offices. Over 125 blocks were offered for sale. (CCBHS Display)
Yaralla House was the ‘hub of Sydney society’ in the Interwar period, according to the Dictionary of Sydney. Eadith Walker, who lived at the house during this period, was a famous Sydney philanthropist and held many charity events on the property.
Boronia Cottage. This was the residence of the dairy manager and was next to the dairy complex. It is a single-story cottage with a hipped and gable roof inspired by Arts and Crafts design. It was part of the John Sulman estate’s works. (I Willis, 2018)
The courtyard of the English-style stables and coach house complex. Designed by John Sulman, influenced by Arts and Crafts styling. According to one source, the central courtyard has a ‘rich assortment of decorative elements such as towers, lanterns, a clock and dormer windows’. It has living quarters and a horse enclosure. (I Willis, 2018)
Yaralla House was a convalescent hospital after the Second World War and then fell into disrepair. Much conservation work has been carried out in recent decades.
The balustrade separates the top and lower terraces adjacent to Yaralla House with views of Sydney Harbour. The top terrace was a crochet lawn, while tennis courts occupied the lower terrace. According to a source, the balustrade is ‘symmetrical marble and freestone with formal central stairway’. Today’s foreshore walkway is in the far distance. (I Willis, 2018)
Over the years, the property had many important visitors, from royalty to vice-regal.
The squash court was built by Eadith Walker for a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1920. It is regarded as substantially intact and is an important surviving recreational element on the property. It has elements of Arts and Crafts influence similar to estate works by John Sulman. It is reputed to be the first squash court built in Australia (I Willis, 2018)
A ‘secret’ walking trail
The area has a ‘secret’ walking trail along the Sydney Harbour Foreshore. Well known to locals. Little known to outsiders. The walkway includes the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway from Rhodes Railway Station to Concord Hospital (800 metres). It is all part of the Concord Foreshore Trail. This walk is described this way on the City of Canada Bay walks website:
This historic and peaceful walk stretches from McIlwaine Park in the Rhodes to Majors Bay Reserve in Concord. The route encircles the mangrove-fringed Brays Bay, Yaralla Bay and Majors Bay on the Parramatta River and goes around the former Thomas Walker Hospital ( a heritage listed building), Concord Repatriation General Hospital and the historically significant Yaralla Estate (one of the oldest estates in Sydney dating back to the 1790’s).
Camden History Notes 
You must be logged in to post a comment.