The historic home of a ruthless police chief is now a boutique luxury stay

Approaching Littlebourne Guest House on its grand circular driveway, guests are greeted by a life-size figure of a centaur, fashioned from rocks woven into steel by regional artist Nicole O’Regan. An imposing presence, it’s a symbolic addition to the circa 1831 National Trust-registered homestead that began life as the home of Australia’s first head of mounted police, sent from Sydney to quell convict unrest.

“Lieutenant Thomas Evernden was powerful, with big military experience,” Littlebourne’s current owner Annabelle Warren says as she takes us on a tour of the rambling property on the outskirts of Bathurst in regional NSW. “He was also ruthless, which is why we leave him outside!”

Evernden – the lawman who captured the convicts behind Bathurst’s notorious Ribbon Gang Rebellion of 1830 – may now be frozen in rock in Littlebourne’s front garden, but inside, a much lighter spirit pervades: that of Evernden’s young bride, Mary Jane Hawkins.

“Mary Jane was only 18 when she married Evernden. Her sister lived on the opposite hill, and there were many reports of family gatherings and parties,” Warren says. “Even though Littlebourne was built to be a commander’s home, Evernden was often travelling with his police duties; Mary Jane was the one who hosted the parties. It wasn’t heavy and formal – it was about family, and light, and beautiful flowers. It was very joyous.”

For the new generation of guests at Littlebourne, Annabelle Warren embodies the hostess spirit of Mary Jane: affable, welcoming and a champion of her local region. Under her creative guidance, Warren has reimagined Littlebourne – her family home for the past 30 years – into one of Bathurst’s most luxurious stays, an intriguing blend of heritage and creative styling.

It’s a marriage that shouldn’t work, but does so, seamlessly. Mary Jane’s formal reception areas have been lightened by Annabelle’s modern sensibilities, with sumptuous lounges and deep armchairs positioned under contemporary artworks that reflect the surrounding countryside. A full-sized billiard table now occupies the original kitchen, while a new entertainers’ kitchen opens into a glass-walled pavilion, the warm heart of the home where guests mingle over a glass of local red.

Six ensuite rooms are available either as individual accommodation or as part of a whole-house booking. I’m staying in the Chifley Suite — named after Australia’s 16th prime minister and Bathurst’s favourite son, Ben Chifley — which is grand in every sense: soaring ceilings, a cloud-like king-size bed, a sitting area overlooking the garden through bay windows, and a new bathroom with a freestanding iron bathtub and heated floors.

Meanwhile, my daughter is staying in the Ribbon Gang Suite in the former convict quarters at the rear of the property. Although more humbly proportioned, with features such as a corrugated iron ceiling and original fireplace harking back to less glamorous times, this twin room is cosy, with plush linens, custom-made blinds and a claw-foot iron bathtub softening the weight of its bleak history.

On the first night of our two-night stay, we have the house to ourselves, allowing us the freedom to roar with laughter as we butcher a post-dinner game of billiards; but it’s a full house the following night, the vibe shifting to one of social interaction and drinks around the centrepiece hearth in the pavilion.

Breakfasts are also a social affair, chatting around communal tables as we dine on a simple, locally sourced meal of hard-boiled eggs, heirloom tomatoes and sourdough bread. But it’s in the front formal dining room that Mary Jane’s spirit of entertainment is best represented, where a massive period dining table that seats 16 harks back to those lively family gatherings Warren spoke about.

Here, we are treated to a Sunday feast curated by another Bathurst legend, celebrity chef and owner of The Rockley Pub, Matt Moran, who has joined forces with local wineries, restaurants, purveyors and accommodation providers to promote the Bathurst region and its fascinating backroads.

There couldn’t be a more appropriate place to hear Moran’s message than in this grand, yet welcoming space — a symbol of Bathurst’s new golden age, where a burgeoning gourmet scene is presented in a rich mantle of history.

THE DETAILS

Stay
Single room accommodation at Littlebourne Guest House costs between $450 and $650 a night (breakfast included), with the whole house also available for boutique events. See littlebourne.com.au

The writer was a guest of Bathurst & Backroads (bathurstandbackroads.com.au).