Alexander Macleay arrived in Sydney from London in 1826. With him came his large collection of flora and six unmarried daughters.

He was appointed the colony’s Secretary, the second most powerful appointment in the colony. New South Wales had no fully elected upper and lower houses of parliament at this stage and the Secretary had wide-ranging powers. Macleay was also  granted 22 acres of unmaintained rough ground in Elizabeth Bay.

He built today’s Elizabeth Bay House in 1835 designed by John verge. John Verge also designed Rockwall House and Tusculum House in Potts Point.

Verge utilised neo-classical proportions complete with Corinthian columns. Elizabeth Bay House was designed but without a verandah on its eastern facade to protect it from the harsh Australian sun. It sat in extensive landscaped gardens and grottoes.

It was never fully completed.

Macleay faced a difficult financial situation because of his over-spending and the general economic downturn in the colony. In the end he was forced to give up his property to his son William Sharp Macleay. He also took on his father’s considerable debt.

Three generations of the Macleay family live in Elizabeth Bay House until 1903. It was later an artists’ squat and then a reception venue. In 1941 it was divided into apartments but was restored in 1977 and turned into a museum in 1977. The original 22 acres was subdivided many times.

Elizabeth Bay House is now managed by Museums of History NSW. It has been conserved back to its1839 state when the Macleay family originally occupied it.

Its interiors are magnificent with its enormous four-storey high interior domed saloon and dramatic curved staircase.

It was described as having the “finest interiors of any house” in the colony.

It is completely unique and a treasure in our area.

by Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions

Elizabeth Bay House

7 Onslow Avenue Elizabeth Bay

Free admission

Opening hours Monday and Sunday 10am to 4pm

Contact 9356 3022

Bookings@mhnsw.au