Plan a group visit to this magnificent 30-room mansion set on two hectares of English style gardens.
Built in 1888 and extended in 1906, Saumarez Homestead is a place of great heritage significance and natural beauty to visit in Armidale, NSW. The intact furnished mansion is a time capsule of family life, largely untouched since the Edwardian era and features an extensive collection that illustrates the story of pastoral life in the 19th century.
The grounds burst with brilliant seasonal colour in spring, summer and autumn. During spring, indulge your senses in swathes of colourful bulbs, cottage flowers and spreading wisteria. In the summer months, oak trees, elms and deodar cedars provide a shady canopy for a picnic. The Heritage Rose Garden is a mass of magical blooms and sweet scents from spring to mid-summer.
Guided tour of the Homestead | $12 per person | Allow 90 minutes.
Experienced guides unlock the history of the White family who lived and worked on this remarkable property. Highlights of the tour include a unique collection of over 10,000 objects relating to White family life, pastoral and farming life, Australian colonial furniture and decorative arts.
Self-guided garden visit | $10 per person | Allow 60 minutes.
Explore the beautiful English style gardens, with its seasonal highlights at your own pace. Discover the 600 heritage roses, managed in collaboration with the Australian Garden History Society and explore the historic farm buildings. A good option for those on a tight schedule. Provides some glimpses of the inside of the Homestead with interpretive signage along the way.
Bring your own lunch to enjoy in the beautiful park-like gardens. There are a limited number of picnic tables throughout the gardens and we can provide trestle tables and chairs for up to 20 people with prior booking.
Armidale’s two magnificent cathedrals are a must-see along with some of the state’s most breathtaking natural wonders like Dangars Falls.
The annual Seasons of New England Expo in March celebrates the region’s finest produce, artisan creations and local brewers and distillers.
The New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) is the public regional gallery located in Armidale.
For more information, see our Saumarez Homestead group visits brochure.
To organise a group visit to Saumarez Homestead, please download and complete the Group Visits booking form.
If you’d like to discuss your group visit, please call us on (02) 6772 3616 or email saumarez@nationaltrust.com.au
All bookings are made with the National Trust of Australia (NSW) (ABN 82 491 958 802). By booking a visit with us you are deemed to have agreed to these Group Visit Terms and Conditions (which constitutes the entire agreement between you and us) and your booking will be accepted by us on this basis. The services to be provided are those referred to in your booking confirmation email and invoice.
Payment
1. Invoices will be issued for all payments and payments must be made by direct transfer or by debit/credit card. American Express is not accepted. Only a single payment as per invoice will be accepted.
2. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required to confirm your booking.
3. Final numbers for your group required at least 10 days prior to the date of visit. The balance of payment will be confirmed and invoiced based on these final numbers.
4. Full payment is required before your visit.
5. Group tour leaders, coach drivers and carers acting in that capacity during a group visit are entitled to free admission to the property on the day of the group’s visit.
6. National Trust Membership discounts will be applied subject to Members showing proof of Membership upon arrival. Please advise when confirming final numbers if any of your group are National Trust Members.
Group sizes
7. Minimum group size of 15 people applies. Guided tours of the house have a maximum of 30 people at any one time. Large groups
may be split into smaller groups and may need to factor in time to allow for two or more consecutive house tours.
Amendments to bookings
8. Any request to change your booking must be made in writing, by emailing saumarez@nationaltrust.com.au
9. Changes to dates and session times are subject to availability.
10. On the day of the visit, should the number of visitors be less than the minimum number required, the cost will remain at minimum
number. Should the number of visitors be greater than the number booked you will be invoiced for the additional visitors.
Cancellation and refund policy
11. Cancellations must be made in writing to saumarez@nationaltrust.com.au
12. If you cancel your booking within 10 days of your visit, or if you fail to arrive on the scheduled day, no refunds apply.
13. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) reserves the right to cancel your visit should the need arise. If we cancel your trip, payments
made may be applied to a mutually agreed alternative date or you may request a refund. In circumstances where the cancellation is
due to external events outside our reasonable control, refunds will be less any unrecoverable costs.
Arrival times
14. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled booking time to allow for check-in. In the event of late arrival, please contact
Saumarez Homestead on (02) 6772 3616. We cannot guarantee guide availability if groups arrive later than the booked time.
Weather impacts
15. For the safety and comfort of our visitors, it may be necessary to close the property in the event of extreme weather conditions.
If this should happen your booking will be rescheduled or fully refunded.
Protecting the collection and property
16. Access to the house is by guided tour only.
17. For the protection of our historic collections and properties, large bags and backpacks are not permitted inside our buildings.
Video, sound and photography
18. Photography is permitted. Video or sound recording is not permitted inside the house or on guided tours.
Insurance
19. Group visitors are covered by National Trust (NSW) Public Liability Insurance. In case of specific concern on the day, please immediately contact the manager or tour leader.
Catering
20. Not applicable currently at Saumarez Homestead
Trading terms
21. Group visits are not available on NSW public holidays and not all tour options are available every day the property is open.
22. Confirmation of a booking request is subject to property, staff and volunteer availability and payment of a non-refundable deposit.
Safety
23. Please take care when exploring the gardens: there is loose gravel on the paths, some paths are uneven or have slopes which may become slippery in wet weather.
24. All children under 15 years must be supervised by an adult at all times.
230 Saumarez Road, Armidale NSW 2350
Enter via Armidale Airport from the New England Highway
