FAIRYMEAD HOUSE SUGAR HISTORY MUSEUM

Welcome to Fairymead House Sugar History Museum

Learn the fascinating history of sugar production in Australia and the story of Bundaberg’s pioneering families at the Fairymead House Sugar History Museum. Situated in the lush greenery of the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, Fairymead House embodies the heritage of the sugar industry and tells of the South Sea Islander community’s vital contribution. Wander through the halls where sugar’s journey from cane to crystal comes alive, providing a unique and enriching educational experience for visitors of all ages.

The building was designed in an Indian bungalow style, evoking a bygone era with its wide verandas, extended eaves, and five-metre-high ceilings. Stepping inside, the peaceful ambience of the house invites guests to immerse themselves fully in the atmosphere and the history of the house. The rooms upstairs are each dedicated to different pioneers in Queensland’s story of sugar. The Toft Room is dedicated to the Toft brothers who developed cane harvesters in Bundaberg. The Bell Room is devoted to the South Sea Islander workers, more than 60,000 of whom were recruited as forced labour in the second half of the 19th century. The Margaret Room was the master bedroom and is now dedicated to the Young family, who began operations at Fairymead in 1880. The hero of the Gooburrum Room is the Gooburrum Shire, where Fairymead house was located before being moved to its present location. The Bonel Room celebrates the Bonel brothers, who developed the single-furrow mouldboard plough. The Stan Lohse Function Room and the Skylight Room, which is now fitted with stained rather than frosted glass, are the ones that best retain their original aspect. The lower level houses a theatrette and displays of early farming equipment, echoing the industry’s gritty beginnings and later advancements.

Encircling the house, the veranda offers a tranquil place to relax and reflect, looking out over the peaceful, beautifully maintained Botanic Gardens. The rustling of leaves and distant bird calls enhance the atmosphere, making it the perfect spot for contemplation and appreciation of nature’s beauty.

What’s on Offer?

Fairymead House offers both self-paced and guided tours, which start at 10.15 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with educational programs tailored for school groups and coach tour groups. As part of the interactive experience, guests can sample Bundaberg sugar from complimentary sachets.

Film documentaries play in two rooms upstairs and one downstairs, narrating the rich history of the region’s sugar industry. The presentations vividly recount the pioneering efforts of the Bundaberg sugar families and the significant contributions of the South Sea Islander community, giving visitors a deep appreciation of the human element of these historical events. These complement a range of displays that illustrate the lifestyle of late-nineteenth-century plantation owners, and displays of farming equipment from the early sugar industry days found in the lower level.

Due to its location in the Botanic Gardens, the open design of the house and its broad veranda, visitors are treated to a symphony of natural sounds throughout their visit. From the chirping of birds to the whisper of the breeze through the Gardens’ trees, the soothing sounds of nature enrich every moment spent at Fairymead House.

History and Heritage

Fairymead House is a Queensland Heritage Place, built in 1890 by Ernest and Margaret Young, prominent figures in Bundaberg’s sugar history. Originally situated on the Fairymead Sugar Plantation, the house was a symbol of the industry’s prosperity and the Young family’s innovative spirit. The house’s design – by Sydney architect John Shedden Adam – was influenced by the Queensland climate and culture, and embodies a blend of functionality and elegance with its high ceilings and shaded verandas. 

In 1988, the house was gifted to the city of Bundaberg and was carefully transported in six separate pieces to its new site in the Botanic Gardens and rebuilt. This relocation preserved its historical significance, ensuring that future generations could continue to appreciate its architectural beauty and learn about the importance of sugar to the history of the region. Today and into the future, the house stands as a museum, with its rooms filled with displays that illustrate a bygone era’s lifestyles and societal developments.

Fairymead House’s history doesn’t tell the story only of the Young family but also of other pioneering families instrumental in the development of Queensland’s sugar industry. Innovations introduced by the Young, Toft and Bonel brothers in irrigation systems, cane processing, ploughing, harvesting and transport revolutionised the sector, and these advancements are highlighted throughout the museum.

Bundaberg Botanic Gardens

Having been relocated to the Botanic Gardens, Fairymead House offers more than just a journey into the history of the sugar industry; it’s also an invitation to explore more than 27 hectares of a lush, natural sanctuary at the heart of Bundaberg. The Botanic Gardens are a haven of biodiversity, home to over 10,000 trees and shrubs and more than 100 species of birds. Its well-maintained pathways lead you through its diverse plant collections and around its lakes, giving visitors the opportunity to breathe in the fresh air and ever-changing plant smells as they walk from the Chinese and Japanese to the Bromeliad and Fern Gardens, listening to the chatter of native birdlife.

Other attractions within the Botanic Gardens include Hinkler House, the Hinkler Hall of Aviation and the Bundaberg and District Historical Museum. Together with Fairymead House, these sites provide further cultural and educational insights into Bundaberg’s rich heritage. The Gardens also feature a wedding chapel, shaded picnic areas, boardwalks and an award-winning, all-abilities children’s nature playground.

One of the best ways to see the Gardens is aboard the Australian Sugarcane Railway Train, a two-kilometre steam- or diesel-powered journey in locomotives that were originally used to haul sugarcane in the region, providing an authentic, first-hand experience of the machinery used by the pioneering families of the Bundaberg region.

Accessibility

Fairymead House is committed to accessibility and ensuring that all visitors can enjoy this rich historical experience. The venue provides accessible parking close to the main entrance and a convenient drop-off zone. A lift between its different levels caters for wheelchair users and those who can’t manage stairs. Circulation space for wheelchair users is adequate, and clutter is kept to a minimum to avoid tripping hazards for those using mobility aids or who are blind or have low vision. Outdoor surfaces are asphalt or smooth paving, while indoor surfaces are smooth wooden floorboards or lino, with the exception of the upstairs function room, which is carpeted.

The doorways vary in width: some rooms have entrances between 80 and 86 centimetres wide, while others exceed 91 centimetres. Several external doors are double doors that are 150 centimetres wide. All doors are swing doors, and none is automatic. The accessible bathroom is on the lower level. 

Tactile surface indicators are installed at either side of the pedestrian crossing leading to the car park. All stairs are equipped with handrails on either side. Service dogs are welcome, and grassy areas are available for their toileting needs. Although a sensory space is not currently available, the peaceful veranda and Botanic Gardens offer numerous quiet spaces for those with sensory sensitivities.

Accessibility in the Botanic Gardens and its main attractions is good. All main paths are sealed and in good repair, and there are plenty of benches to rest as you explore. The Hinkler Hall of Aviation, the Bundaberg and District Historical Museum, Café 1928 and the Australian Sugarcane Railway Train are all wheelchair-accessible. Although Hinkler House is not wheelchair-accessible, there is a virtual tour available in the Hinkler Hall of Aviation. The all-abilities playground was specifically designed to cater to users of all ages and abilities with a focus on tactile and sensory experiences. There’s an accessible toilet at Café 1928.