Pioneering pastoralist Cornelius O'Brien built this single storied colonial cottage in 1835, and between 1839 and 1873 it was home to Australia's great overland explorer Hamilton Hume. A creative owner-builder, Hume added his version of Palladian style wings and a Greek Revival portico. Set in a pastoral landscape the house represents an extraordinary taxonomy of vernacular building techniques and includes a fine, mid-nineteenth century stables outbuilding.

Situated on the Yass River, Cooma Cottage is in the heart of some of New South Wales' richest sheep grazing country and during the 1830s, brothers Henry and Cornelius O'Brien joined other pioneers such as Hume in settling these rich, open plains. Cooma Cottage forms part of an important group of rural houses along the Yass River which include Douro and Hardwicke. The plains were an attraction to settlers in the 1820s and settlement of the Yass area was sufficient to warrant the establishment of a post office in Yass by 1835.

The National Trust of Australia (NSW) acquired this property in a derelict condition in 1970 and has since carried out an extensive conservation program of restoration, repairs and interpretation. Today Cooma Cottage functions as a house museum and features an exhibition on the life and achievements of the explorer Hamilton Hume.

Cooma Cottage is open:
Thursday - Monday 10 am - 4 pm
Closed from the second Monday in June and reopens
on the first Monday in August

Admission

Cost: Adults $4.40
Concessions/Seniors $2.20, Family $11
Group booking prices on application

GST included. Prices subject to change

Visit another property close by: Bedervale outside Braidwood is one of the most remarkable houses of the colonial period. The work of the distinguished architect John Verge, it was built for Captain Coghill in 1838-41. The Coghill and Madrell families lived here for six generations and assembled an important collection of furniture and decorative arts. In an arrangement unique in Australia, the house is privately owned and occupied by the Royds family while the original collection is the property of the National Trust. Verge's fine architecture, the rich and varied collection and the generosity of the owners of the house combine to make a visit to Bedervale an unforgettable experience.

Bedervale is open to the public by appointment only.

For full details visit the Bedervale Page at the National Trust's Historic Properties
Accommodation Website

Monkittee Street, Braidwood
Tel: (02) 4842 2421

The National Trust of Australia (NSW) is a non profit community based organisation which works to conserve Australia's natural, cultural and built environment.

The National Trust undertakes environmental research, acts as a consultant to government and private enterprise and conducts publishing and educational programs.

It remains financially independent, relying on donations and membership.

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Join at the property or call (02) 9258 0123. You will have access to an exciting range of Trust activities, including private viewings, behind the scenes tours and exhibitions.

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THE NATIONAL TRUST of
AUSTRALIA (NSW)
GPO Box 518, Sydney, NSW 2001
Tel (02) 9258 0123
Fax (02) 9252 1264