Orielton Homestead predates Fairwater by almost half a century,although its location on Sydney’s outskirts near Camden will ensure it is a small fraction of the price.
It was built about 1830 by Scottish grazier John Dickson as an outstation for his farm manager,and after a few extensions over the decades was significantly rebuilt in the 1870s and 1880s into the heritage-listed homestead that stands today by wealthy goldfields widow Harriet Beard.
The grand 26-room mansion was used as officer’s quarters during World War II and soon after purchased by Sir Warwick in 1944 alongside the neighbouring Harrington Park estate for £32,000 as a country retreat.
During the Fairfax family ownership the 800 hectares was predominantly a Poll Hereford Stud and for a few years home to Lady Fairfax’s cut flower business,until 1986 when the couple announced plans to convert it into a residential development.
The first blocks of land were released to the market in 1994,but not their Harrington Park Homestead. It was retained as their own,to be sold off by Lady Fairfax’s estate two years ago.
Before she died,Lady Fairfax instigated an extensive restoration of Orielton Homestead,that ultimately took three years and was completed in 2018 to create what is now a six-bedroom residence with drawing room,dining room,music room,library,sitting room,billiard room,dairy room,lower kitchen and a cellar.