Nestled among rolling country hills with the rugged Watagan Range as its backdrop, the Rising Sun Inn stands proudly as one of the Hunter Valley’s oldest surviving buildings. Built by convicts circa 1838, this remarkable inn remains a testament to the grit and determination of Australia’s early colonial pioneers.
For the almost two centuries it has lived many lives—beginning as a bustling stopover for weary travellers journeying between Wollombi and Maitland, later serving as a general store and post office, before becoming a private residence and, in the 1980s, being lovingly restored to house a museum, gallery, and craft shop.
Its hand-hewn ironbark walls and straw-insulated ceilings hold echoes of the past—of laughter, leather boots and lively conversation—as well as darker moments, like the infamous day in December 1840 when bushranger Edward “Jew Boy” Davis and his gang rode in seeking revenge on John McDougall who was famed for his floggings of convicts whilst overseer of the Great Northern Road.
Original features remain, including the broad brick fireplace anchoring the kitchen and a wide, welcoming verandah that frames the façade. These details, steeped in history and character, ensure the Inn continues to stand as both a landmark and a storybook of Australia’s colonial past.
Now offered to the market, the Rising Sun Inn presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—not simply to purchase property, but to become custodian of a living relic. Whether re-imagined as boutique tourist accommodation, a gallery, café/hospitality venue, or cherished once again as a private residence or other applications (STCA/heritage approvals), the Rising Sun Inn is ready to begin its next chapter.
Disclaimer: Historical details in this advertisement are based on information available from Heritage NSW and other public historical records. Prospective buyers should rely on their own enquiries and should conduct their own due diligence, including consulting heritage listings, archival documents, and heritage professionals, to verify accuracy, history and assess any conservation requirements or approvals.
email
oscars@jurds.com.au
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donnys@jurds.com.au
