Residence of farming pioneers Elizabeth and John Macarthur,
who arrived in 1790. Named after John's wife, it was originally 1100
acres, though only four remain. The Macarthurs also brought Merino sheep
from Spain to Australia. They went on to become the biggest land owners in
NSW. Elizabeth Farm was built in 1793 and is Australia's oldest
privately-owned building.
Elizabeth Farm is the home of controversial Australian wool pioneers, John and Elizabeth Macarthur. Commenced in 1793, it contains part of the oldest surviving European building in Australia. It is located in Rosehill, near Parramatta, New South Wales.
Only part of the original cottage's roof survives today, as the building was expanded into a classic Australian bungalow with shady verandas over the following 50 years.
Currently the house is operated as a museum, complete with reproductions of original furnishings. The surrounding garden has also been recreated, and some of the plants are believed to be planted by the Macarthurs. The original farm has long since been redeveloped.