Federation Details: Nyrang, Federation Homestead

Nyrang, 154 Peabody Road, Molong, NSW 2866

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'Nyrang Homestead' 154 Peabody Road, Molong

A fine 1904 Federation style bluestone mansion with links to Banjo Patterson and Cobb and Co coach company.

Nyrang was once a 6,000-acre sheep-grazing property on some of the richest soil on the western side of the Great Divide.

The 12-bedroom house has polished floorboards, high ceilings, 14 fireplaces and stained glass windows.

It was the work of craftsmen who built the gracious asymmetrical bungalow in the (Federation) style of the period possibly to a design by Cyril Blacket, son of the architect Edmund Blacket.
The property's original demolished homestead was built for Robert and Emily Barton, the setting for the marriage in 1863 of their daughter Rose Isabella Barton and Andrew Bogle Paterson.
The son they had the following year, Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson, who went on to write some of our best-loved ballads like Waltzing Matilda, The Man From Snowy River and Clancy Of The Overflow.^[1]

Nyrang Homestead is regarded as one of the finest examples of Australian Federation architecture and construction.
This 34 room, 120 square mansion is built of bluestone that was hand cut on the property.

Regarded at the time as one of the best sheep stations in the colony, it changed hands in 1865 with John Smith of Gamboola, Molong, buying 17,000 acres (6,880 hectares) of the original 66,560-acre holding.
His eldest son controlled it until 1900 when 6000 acres of Boree Nyrang was sold to Sir Norman Kater MLC, who built the present Nyrang homestead in 1904.
The Katers sold in 1918 to George Rutherford, the son of James Rutherford, who expanded the Cobb & Co stagecoach company throughout Australia.

Located 29 kilometres west of Orange and 16km South of Molong.
Mount Canobolas forms the backdrop to a stunning view from the verandah that overlooks the expansive lawns.

Its grounds also comes with five hectares of productive vineyard given water from Boree Creek.
It has plantings of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, ruby cabernet, sauvignon blanc, merlot, chardonnay, pinot noir and sangiovese. The eight-variety vineyard has the wine label, Barton Creek.
The Urbanski family bought it in the mid-1990s purchase and turned the house into high-class heritage bed-and-breakfast accommodation with oversite by Stephen Sykes, the onetime chair of Central NSW Tourism. It's offered as an "early Australian homestead experience."
Main homestead
Magnificent 120sq Bluestone Homestead with 34 rooms
Grand entrance with polished floorboards, high ceilings, stained glass windows & slow combustion wood heating
Six guestrooms - 1 with ensuite & 3 bathrooms
Formal dining
Formal lounge
Spacious kitchen with wood fired pizza oven & large gas cook top & double oven
Reverse cycle air conditioning
Large grand hallways leading to the upstairs accommodation
The homestead boasts polished timber floorboards, pictures rails and high ceilings throughout
School House Restored for guest accommodation
Fully renovated with 2 bedrooms
Kitchenette & bathroom
Workmans Cottage
2 bedrooms
Reverse cycle air conditioning
5 hectares of productive vineyard
Excellent water from Boree Creek with 200meg licence bore, rainwater & a 30 meg dam
Old stables and shearing shed
Nyrang would suit farming & grazing activities with excellent pastures of phalaris, clover & fesque.
There are 40 acres of creek flats suitable for lucerne.
Soils are primarily alluvial basalt and timber comprises of yellow & grey box
For the sporting enthusiast there is also a tennis court
The Kater pastoral dynasty headed by Sir Norman was centred around this 1900 Federation Cudal property Nyrang.
Sir Norman, who was trained as a doctor, then took over the Egelabra Stud at Warren in 1910
Boree Nyrang is between Gamboola and Boree Cabonne, once part of John Smith's holdings. When it was sold to Dr Kater he changed its name to Nyrang. Today it is operated as a Bed & Breakfast known as Nyrang Homestead.