Busselton Hotels

Wonnerup House

Busselton Hotels - getting to and from and around once there

Busselton Hotels - getting to and from and around once there

Wonnerup House – The current Wonnerup House was built in 1859 by the Layman family (original settlers). The original building built between 1837-1841 was destroyed by fire in 1858.

The complex also includes the Dairy and Kitchen which predate the main house (and survived the fire of 1858 because they were separate buildings). Over the road are the Teacher’s House (1885) and School (1873).

In 1837 the Laymen family were afraid to leave the house because of the danger of being attacked by the local Aboriginal people. George Layman left the house on 22 February 1841 and was speared to death by Aboriginals.

eorge Layman arrived in Fremantle on board the Orelia in 1829 with just six pence in his pocket.

But out of those humble circumstances came a new beginning and the establishment of a family and farm in the harsh environment of the south west.

Harsh? Yes. Imagine having to clear the land of huge Tuart trees by hand. That’s what faced George Layman after he was granted land in the Vasse area and set about building a house to live in. More specifically the land he owned was called “Wannerup”, an aboriginal term meaning place of the “Aborginal Woman’s Digging Stick”.

Anyway, George built a house on his land, found himself a wife (Mary Ann Bayliss), and then in 1838 his son was born – George II. But what was promising to be a wonderful life on the land was tragically cut short in 1841 when George was involved in a dispute with local Aboriginals, and was speared to death on his own property. He was only 31 years old at the time.

His wife Mary remarried, to Robert Heppingstone II, whose family emigrated to Australia with the Bussell’s and Molloy’s. They had two sons of their own, but then Robert also tragically died in 1858 when he drowned at Castle Rock.

George II took over the running of the property. He married Amelia Curtis, and together they had 12 children. George II built another larger house on the property, as well as extensions to the first house. He also developed the farm with pigs, dairy cattle, horses and vegetables.

Luckily for us today, the original houses on the Wonnerup property still exist, and they have been set up to look like they once did all those years ago. You are able to wander through the houses and take a look at life in the 1800′s – the structure, the furniture, the simple way of life. About the only thing that isn’t authentic is the beautifully manicured lawns – I doubt very much they had those back then – but they do provide a fantastic place for picnics or just for a bit of a wander through the gardens.

There’s also an old one-room-school and teacher’s residence across the road which also provides a fascinating glimpse into the lifestyle of our pioneers.

Wonnerup House is open for people to have a look at, and is located about half an hour south of Bunbury – turn right off either the Bussell Hwy or the Ludlow Tourist Drive. It’s just past the Possum Night Spotlighting Trail.

There is a cost to get in – about $4.50 per adult, less for kids and concession card holders.

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