Going the extra mile ...

Leuralla was built before World War I and retains the original furnishings and effects which capture the grand family mountains home of the 1920s. I can’t believe that such a structure still exists today. The thing is, photography is not allowed inside the house. It sets on 12 acres of glorious mountain gardens laid out at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century. It has conifers, beeches, oaks, maples, backdrop the seasonal plantings, arbors, and walkways and these contribute to year round beauty.


The house was in the New England style of architecture. The design of the home was influenced by the world famous American architect of the day Frank Lloyd Wright. The home is Heritage listed and is displayed in its original state, including original paint finishes, furnishings, fixtures and fittings (note light switches and door furniture).

It also treasures the memories of a great Australian, Dr. H. V. Evatt, a jurist, politician and writer. He was President of the United Nations General Assembly in 1948–49 and helped draft the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). He was Leader of the Australian Labor Party (and thus Leader of the Opposition) from 1951 to 1960.

Currently, the property is being used as the “NSW Toy and Railway Museum.” The toys are a collection of the world’s pre and post war toys, featuring tin plate trains, planes and automobiles, extensive model of railway layouts, lead soldiers and figures, dolls and teddy bears – childhood favorites including the only permanent collection of Barbie – 1959 to present.


Trains and rail collection

Barbie Dolls collection

Pre-war toy collection