The restoration of a heritage property is not for everyone. Preserving the past while accommodating the needs of a modern family requires careful research, good management and loads of patience. A bit of passion for the project doesn’t hurt either – and it was this that underpinned the recent revival of Barambah Station, one of the first pastoral properties in south-east Queensland.

The homestead, just south of Goomeri in the heart of the South Burnett region, was built in 1906 and has a series of outbuildings dating back to 1843. Brisbane couple Steve and Jane Wilson happened upon Barambah in 2000 and were immediately interested in taking it on.

“We live and work in the city and wanted to buy a rural property that would give our five kids – Katherine, 20, Isobel, 19, Gretel, 18, William, 14, and Harriet, 12 – some open space for weekends and holidays,” says Jane. “When we saw Barambah, with its great sense of history, we knew it was perfect for us.”

The house had been significantly altered by a 1967 renovation and, sadly, many original features were lost. Steve and Jane called on architect David Gole from Riddel Architecture to help piece the heritage puzzle back together. “We had to do some detective work to understand what changes had been made,” says David. “We interviewed former owners and managers and referenced old photos to produce a conservation plan for the property, outlining what should be reinstated in the current context.”

One by one, the decaying outbuildings were assessed for viable uses. A workshop, farm manager’s residence, storage and parking are all housed in what was once a large coach-house. Bull pens and a feed shed were all transformed into self-contained accommodation annexed to stables and a tack room. The hay shed, the property’s oldest structure, was restored, with its time-worn timbers jointed and keyed in the traditional method. The dairy was also conserved, reusing the timber and metalwork to retain its character.

Inside the homestead, the original architect’s vision was adhered to. The 1906 floor plan, which emphasised the distinction between the public and private spaces, was reinstated. A cruciform hall now demarcates the living zones. One hall, forming the spine of the home, runs from the formal front entrance to the ‘boots and coats’ entrance at the rear. The living, dining and kitchen extension lie on one side of it. The second hall leads to five bedrooms and three bathrooms. An enclosed verandah extends the accommodation when needed.

The skirtings, architraves and picture rails were reinstated and the ceilings raised to almost four metres in the formal rooms to return a sense of grandeur to the spaces.

The Wilsons worked with interior designer Victoria Clayton to strike a tone that would reflect the characters of both the building and the family.

To this end, family heirlooms and favourite pieces from previous homes were coordinated with custom-designed items to create a country feel minus the cliché. “Barambah is a place where the Wilsons can relax,” says Victoria. “They love design, but wanted a beautiful, non-precious home away from home.”

Passion and attention to detail has its rewards. The conservation, repair and adaptive reuse of the homestead and outbuildings have ensured that Barambah Station will remain viable as both a working property and part of Queensland’s cultural heritage.

Riddel Architecture, Petrie Bight, Queensland; (07) 3831 4155. Victoria Clayton Interior Designer, Byron Bay, NSW; 0439 548 484.

Story & styling Kate Nixon
Photography Maree Homer