Buderim House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buderim House |
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Buderim House, 2006
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| Location | 10 Orme Road, Buderim, Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1914 - 1919 (World War I) |
| Built | c. 1915 |
| Architect | George Trotter |
| Official name: Buderim House | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 March 1993 |
| Reference no. | 601176 |
| Significant period | 1915 (fabric) 1915-1954 (historical) |
| Significant components | trees - remnant scrub, farmhouse, belvedere / widow's walk, garden/grounds, trees/plantings |
| Builders | Christian Schriver |
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Buderim House is a special old house in Buderim, Queensland, Australia. It's known as a "homestead," which is a large farm house. This house is "heritage-listed," meaning it's important to history and is protected. It was designed by an architect named George Trotter. The house was built around 1915 by Christian Schriver.
The Story of Buderim House
Buderim House was built around 1915 for Herbert Victor Fielding. His father, John Fielding, was a pioneer in Buderim. John was one of the first people to grow sugar cane and fruit there. In 1876, he bought a large piece of land, almost 49 hectares (about 120 acres), on the northern side of Buderim Mountain.
From Sugar to Bananas
In the 1880s, it became hard for sugar farmers in Buderim to compete with sugar brought in from other places. So, farmers like the Fieldings started growing different crops. By the late 1880s, Herbert Fielding was growing a lot of bananas on the family farm.
When John Fielding passed away in 1890, his wife Jane took over the farm. It was a bit smaller by then, about 40 hectares (almost 100 acres). Herbert Fielding bought the property in 1906. At that time, it stretched from Orme Road all the way to Mill Road.
Herbert was a very successful farmer. In the early 1900s, he went to big farming meetings across Queensland. He represented the local farming group from Maroochy.
Building the House
Herbert built his first house on the property after he got married in 1904. Around 1915, he sold that house and part of the farm. Then, he built Buderim House on a 16-hectare (about 40-acre) section of his land. This new house was built on the highest point of Buderim Mountain's northern slope. From there, it had amazing views of the Maroochy coast and river valley.
The architect for Buderim House was George Trotter. The builder was Christian Schriver.
The Tower and the Name
Before Buderim House was even finished, Herbert sold it in 1915 to Walter Frank Oakes. Mr. Oakes had a special request. He wanted a tower, a flagpole, and the name "Buderim House" added to the fancy glass panel in the front door. Only then would he complete the sale! Mr. Oakes also grew bananas on the property.
Meanwhile, Herbert Fielding built a third house on his remaining land. It was designed using the same plans as Buderim House.
Later Owners and Gardens
In 1925, Herbert Fielding bought Buderim House and the farm back from Mr. Oakes. He continued to farm bananas, pineapples, coffee, and other crops. He also raised cattle. He rented out the house for a while.
In 1927, Herbert sold the house and about 1.6 hectares (about 4 acres) of land to HJ Murphy. Mr. Murphy later became a local council member. In the 1930s, he created the beautiful gardens you see around the house today. He sold the house in 1954. The land around the house was divided into smaller blocks in 1967. Today, Buderim House stands on about 0.6 hectares (about 1.5 acres).
A Royal Visit
In December 1934, a very important person visited Buderim House: the Duke of Gloucester. He was a member of the British Royal Family!
Fielding's Scrub
Close to the house, there's a small area of natural bushland called Fielding's Scrub. It was left there to help block strong westerly winds. This scrub is one of the few remaining parts of the thick bush that once covered Buderim Mountain. This dense bush made it hard for early farmers to develop the area. The cocos palms in this scrub are said to have been planted by the Fielding family.
What Buderim House Looks Like
Buderim House is located on a northern slope of Buderim Mountain. It sits among lovely, old gardens. These gardens even include a small part of the original bushland, called Fielding's Scrub, on the west side of the house.
Outside the House
The building is a tall timber house with a corrugated iron roof. It has verandahs (porches) on three sides. The main roof has a square "belvedere" in the middle. A belvedere is a small tower or room built on top of a house to give a nice view. This one has a cool, curved roof and windows. The verandah roofs are a bit flatter.
The house stands on timber stumps, with a timber "skirt" (a decorative covering) below the verandahs. The area under the house has been closed in.
You enter the house from the north side. There are two sets of stairs leading up to a landing, and then one stair to the verandah. The verandah has a pretty timber railing and decorative timber supports. The walls on the verandah are made of single timber planks. There are French doors and windows with small fanlights above them.
The front door is set back a bit. It has beautiful "art nouveau" style leadlight glass panels. These panels have the name "BUDERIM HOUSE" in them. The dining room on the eastern side also has leadlight panels. The verandah on the northeast side has screens to keep insects out.
Inside the House
Inside, many of the walls are made of single timber planks. Some rooms have wallpaper. Most rooms have timber ceilings. However, the living room and hallway have plastered ceilings with decorative "cornices" (fancy moldings where the wall meets the ceiling).
The internal doors have decorative "fretwork" panels above them. The living room doors from the front and back hallways even have leadlight panels. A steep internal staircase leads from the front hall up to the belvedere.
The verandah on the southwest side has been closed in with timber boards and windows. A small storage room and a covered stair have been added to the southeast side.
The Gardens
The gardens around the house are informal and filled with lush, sub-tropical plants. A gravel driveway winds through groups of tall palms and areas of green lawn.
Why Buderim House is Special
Buderim House was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 2 March 1993. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical place.
A Glimpse into the Past
Buderim House shows us what a big timber house from the early 1900s in Queensland looked like. It helps us understand how Queensland's history developed.
Beautiful and Important
The house, its old gardens, and the rare piece of original bushland (Fielding's Scrub) are all very beautiful. They are important to the people of Buderim because they stand out and add to the special look of the Buderim area.
A Great Example
Buderim House is a great example of a large timber house from that time period. It shows the main features of such homes.
Valued for its Beauty
The house is valued for its beauty. It's a landmark in the area. The house, its established gardens, and the rare remaining scrub all contribute to the lovely landscape of Buderim.
