In 1801, a young botanist named George and Sarah Suttor arrived at a parcel of land in Baulkham Hills with a shipment of plants from Sir Joseph Banks. What he built there — an orchard, a home, a life — became one of the oldest surviving properties in the Sydney basin. This is the story of Chelsea Farm.
On my idea of leaving England I was also pleased with the thought that I might be the humble means of conveying to this distant British country the vine, the fig, the olive.
Chelsea Farm is one of the earliest remaining agricultural properties within the Hills District. Originally a 186-acre grant to botanist and farmer George Suttor in 1802, the property has witnessed colonial upheaval, the establishment of one of Australia's first successful orchards, and served as a refuge for those fleeing persecution in Europe. Today, the site retains its c.1870s Victorian Filigree homestead and three later weatherboard buildings — a living record of Australia's layered past.
Explore the Full History
200+ years of family, community, and colonial life in the Hills District.
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Restoring fabric, structure, and spirit.
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Open days, community gatherings, and living history.