Back by popular demand! Step back in time as you explore beautiful Haberfield, Sydney’s original Garden Suburb. Enjoy tea at St David’s Church Hall before joining a guided tour of three privately owned and iconic homes, opening especially for this occasion.
Developed from Federation in 1901 as the Garden Suburb, Haberfield is described as ”the earliest Australian garden suburb, characterised by architecturally distinctive single storey suburban villas in the Federation style” – National Trust, 1971.
Led by Vince Crow of the Haberfield Association, this engaging tour begins at the historic St David’s Church before visiting three private properties – two Federation homes within easy walking distance and a Californian Bungalow just a short drive away – each opened for exclusive inspection.
Guests will enjoy tea at St David’s Church Hall in Dalhousie Street prior to departure.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to explore the remarkable St David’s Church, a striking Gothic Revival building opened in 1869 by Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh.
Discover something new as you step inside three distinctive homes, including one award-winning residence, each set on land parcels larger than typically found in the area.
Tour details
Duration: 2 hours 45 mins. Morning and afternoon tours available. Spaces limited in both.
About Haberfield
Haberfield was a radical departure in town-planning from 19th century residential development with its characteristic terrace housing in inner-city suburbs.
Initially developed by real estate agent, Richard Stanton, Haberfield predates internationally recognised planned Garden Suburbs in Britain and Germany such as Letchworth (1903), Hampstead Garden Suburb (1906) and Hellerau (1909). The houses in the area were architect designed, the two most important architects being Daniel Wormald (1903-04) and John Spencer Stansfield (1905-14).
The other major developer was the Haymarket Permanent Land, Building and Investment Company which developed the Dobroyde Park Estate from 1905 and the Dobroyd Point Estate from 1909. This company largely followed Stanton’s town-planning concept of a Garden Suburb. Some houses in the Dobroyd Point Estate were built in the 1920’s and are examples of Californian Bungalows.
When Haberfield was listed on the Register of the National Estate in 1990, the Australian Heritage Commission wrote, “Haberfield was Australia’s first comprehensively planned and developed Garden Suburb, establishing a model for Australia’s suburban development in the 20th century”.
This tour will explain the concept of a Garden Suburb as found in Haberfield and include examples of properties in areas by both developers.
