Historical Accommodation
Stay With Us
Experience 19th century charm! Stay in one of Coolangatta Estate’s restored Convict-built buildings.
Our unique property offers 26* motel-style accommodation scattered throughout the grounds.
Each room is complete with a kitchenette, air-conditioning and ensuite bathroom and is just a short walk from the Estate’s Cellar Door, Wine Garden, Tennis Court, Croquet Lawn and Swimming Pool.
*We have 41 beds across 26 rooms with the capacity to sleep up to 70 guests.
“Old places have soul”
— unknown
The Cottage
Cottage 1
Cottage 2
Cottage 3
Cottage 4
Cottage 5
Cottage 6
Originally the home of the daughters of the Hay family. The building had been vacant for some time following the death of the last surviving daughter, Miss Nona. Maintenance was nil. A section of the building had to be demolished and rebuilt. The entire building was re-lined and much of the roof replaced. A row of bathrooms was replaced on the wide central hallway to service the various rooms. This building was a much later vintage than the others..
Today the Cottage has been restored and converted into six motel-style rooms.
The Plumbers Shop
Alexander 7
David 8
Mezzanine 9
In the early 1800’s, the Plumbers Shop was a hub of activity; the only district workshop for many years. From earlier photographs, it is obvious the Plumbers Shop building is only about one third of its original size. It had been roughly converted to accommodate a migrant family and then deserted for many years. Vandals had smashed its interior to pieces. The building is believed to be the oldest timber building on the South Coast. For this reason, the internal framework was exposed and on some of the steelwork the B&W brand can be seen (Berry & Wollstonecraft).
Today the Plumbers Shop has been restored and converted into three motel-style rooms.
The Stables
Stables 12
Stables 13
Stables 14
Stables 15
Stables 16
Many famous horses of the original colony were stabled here – the stallion “Jack”, the mare “Sellem” and of course, “Jerry Bailey” who gave his name to the nearby seaside village, now Shoalhaven Heads. Although the first Melbourne Cup winner “Archer” was stabled at Terara on the other side of the river, it would have been almost certain he would have visited Coolangatta many times. Upon restoration, it was discovered the building had been heavily vandalized. Floors had to be tiled and partitions replaced. Meticulous care was taken to preserve the original building, particularly externally even to the divided doors.
Today the Stables has been restored and converted into five motel-style rooms.
The Blacksmiths
Blacksmiths 17
Blacksmiths 18
Blacksmiths 19
Blacksmiths 20
As the name suggests, the Blacksmiths Shop was a functioning workshop during early settlement servicing the township and wider community. Later on, the building would be dismantled internally and used as feed stalls for milking cattle. The floor was earthen brickwork and in an atrocious condition, only half the shell remained. It was necessary to completely re-design the interior for motel use. The objective was to retain the outside shell. During restoration, the original bellows from its use as a Blacksmiths Shop were found on the property and are displayed in our Restaurant.
Today the Blacksmiths block is now 4 motel rooms.
The Convict Cottage
Convict Cottage 24
More commonly known as our “Bridal Suite”; The Convict Cottage was originally used to accommodate the maid who looked after the spinsters in the Cottage next door. This cottage is of the same design as the original convict cottages which were scattered in the quieter places on the property. Its condition was deplorable and required almost complete rebuilding and re-roofing. This was done because it was the only one remaining of its kind in the district and that link with the past had to be maintained.
Today the Convict Cottage is a free-standing single motel room.
The Harness Room
Harness Room 25
Its use was as the name indicates but in the later years had housed the generator which provided power for lighting in the Homestead. Re-roofing was necessary and internally the original bricks were exposed and mortise tenant and peg joints featured.
Today the Harness Room is a free-standing single motel room.
The Servants Quarters
Coachman’s House
Servants Quarters 26
Servants Quarters 27
Servants Quarters 28
Servants Quarters 29
Servants Quarters 31
Once used as our reception office but currently motel rooms. The Servants Quarters and laundry were on the western side of the building adjacent to the original homestead, which was destroyed by fire in 1946. Groomsmen occupied the opposite side of the building next to the stables. The two areas were divided by a large store room from which the rations were distributed. (The old ten, ten, two and a quarter being the most heard of, comprising ten pounds’ flour, ten-pound meat, two-pound sugar and a quarter pound tea per family). From the time of purchase by the present owners in 1946, the building was progressively restored as a home until restoration as motel accommodation.
Today the Servants Quarters has been restored and converted into six motel-style rooms.
Room Facilities & Information
All rooms include FREE Wi-Fi, however, due to our location, Wi-Fi is not guaranteed.
All rooms come with an ensuite bathroom, television, air-conditioning, tea & coffee-making facilities, hairdryer & ironing facilities.
Rooms are not serviced, please see Reception for any requirements. Any additional services requested will incur an additional cost of $60.00 per day.
Our tariffs are based on “Small”, “Standard” & “Large” Village rooms. Each room is unique with no 2 rooms the same. All tariffs are based on twin share. $30 per person per night applies for additional guests.
To request a specific room, please email us: reception@coolangattaestate.com.au (fees may apply)
Coolangatta Estate would like to credit Jon Harris Photography for the images used on this webpage.