Our Restoration Journey

 When we purchased Burnima Estate in 2020, we knew we were becoming custodians of something truly special.

From the very beginning, our vision was clear — to respectfully restore this grand historic property and bring both the gardens and buildings back to life.

We began immediately with the grounds, setting out to return the gardens to their former formal glory.

Countless unsafe pine trees have been carefully removed, new ponds have been constructed and many long days of hard yakka have gone into reshaping and revitalising the landscape.

The homestead itself tells the story of time, weather and wear.

While much progress has been made, there is still a great deal of restoration ahead.

Ongoing works include damp-proofing beneath the house to address rising damp, repairing and replacing floorboards, installing new roof guttering and flashing, and rebuilding sections of the side concrete verandah, which collapsed several years ago.

Sadly, many of the original decorative tiles in this area have cracked, and some of the pressed metal ceilings inside now require replacement due to extensive water and moisture damage over the years.

Because the homestead is triple brick, ventilation beneath the house is essential.

New airflow systems are planned to protect the structure and each downstairs room for generations to come.

Some plaster cornices were updated in later years, and part of our long-term goal is to faithfully replicate the original decorative detailing that once adorned these rooms.

Although significant restoration has already taken place, this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Burnima is a living project — one that will continue to evolve with care, patience and dedication.

Your stay and visits play a vital role in helping us fund this important work.

Every booking directly supports the preservation of this remarkable piece of history, ensuring it can be enjoyed, appreciated and learned from by future generations.

Thank you for your interest in Burnima Estate.

We invite you to follow our journey on social media at @historic_burnima_estate, and we hope to welcome you back again in the future.

Kind regards,

Matt & Laura Benwell