Located high on a ridge overlooking eucalypt forests and distant mountains, Worrowing sits along the historic Wool Road, a site steeped in layers of history.

Indigenous Heritage
Worrowing rests on the lands of the Dhurga-speaking Wandi Wandean First Nations peoples. The word "Worrowing" is derived from an Indigenous term meaning "small creek". Worrowing Creek, which flows through the northern boundary property, feeds into a large inland lake known as Bewherre (St Georges Basin).

The Story of Worrowing
Worrowing - once part of the original "Erowal Farm Estate" - offers a unique window into the many changes that have shaped the Jervis Bay area from 1829 to the present day.

Early Colonial Era: Erowal Farm
In colonial times Worrowing was known as the “Hill Paddock” and was part of the Erowal Farm Estate, one of the first land grants in Jervis Bay. In 1829 Lieutenant John Lamb was granted 2,650 acres stretching from Worrowing creek in the north, to Paradise Beach in the south, and towards Tomerong in the west, covering what are now the villages of Sanctuary Point and Old Erowal Bay.

The original Erowal homestead was built in 1830 under the supervision of farm manager David Blair using local sandstone and bricks made by convicts. The Georgian homestead positioned high on a basalt ridge offered sweeping views over St Georges basin. The name Erowal is believed to come from the local indigenous word “Erowie” meaning “looking down from a high place”.

The Wool Road
Worrowing is located along the historic Wool Road, an early colonial transportation route used to bring wool and supplies from Braidwood to the wharf at Vincentia Jervis Bay for shipment to Sydney. Built by 70 convicts over seven months the road opened in 1841 and was in use until 1844. Remnants of the original road can still be seen and traversed today. Bullock teams transporting wool would rest and water their animals on the hill at Worrowing before the final leg of their journey. The Wool Road holds great cultural significance as an important songline and walking trail for local indigenous communities.

The Wool Road History

Through the Decades
From 1838 onwards, a series of free settlers leased or managed Erowal Farm. Early tenants included Charles John Campbell (1832 - 1838) and John Dawson (1846 - 18530) who planted camellias from Camden Park House which are still growing in the ruins of the old homestead and within the Worrowing gardens.

In 1854, Alexander and William Bryce, brothers originally from Scotland purchased the property. They became the first resident owners and divided the estate: Alexander remained at Erowal, while William established a new farm Cockcrow, to the west. The brothers were prominent farmers operating a diary, growing crops and breeding racehorses.

Following Alexander's death in the late 1890s, the property changed hands multiple times. In 1908, it was sold to land speculator Percy Keen. The acquisition of Jervis Bay by the Commonwealth and plans for a railway to Canberra triggered a brief land boom. Keen sold the estate in 1920 to Harold Tarrant who envisioned a grand tourist resort, ‘Hotel Erowal’, complete with a golf course, skating rink, dancing pavilion, airfield and racecourse. Bricks for these ambitious plans were manufactured at Worrowing, but the project collapsed and Tarrant was declared bankrupt in 1923.

A Farm and Guesthouse
In 1928, Albert Wolk purchased the reduced 1,106-acre property and continued to pursue the Hotel Erowal vision, building a bridge over Cockcrow creek. However the Great Depression halted all plans. The partially completed hotel remains today as ruins within the grounds of the Coastal Waters Retirement Village.

During the 1930’s - 1950’s Erowal House served as a guesthouse for holidaymakers visiting Jervis Bay and was managed by various families including the Chandlers, Youngs, Burnetts and finally Ben Loutit.

Rebirth as Worrowing
After Albert Wolk’s death, the property was inherited by his son and daughter. The house remained uninhabited for many years and was vandalized and destroyed by fire in the early 1960’s.

In the 1970’s, Cynthia Timms the daughter of Albert Wolk and her husband George Timms named the top half of the property Worrowing and built a replica of the original homestead. They established a Poll Hereford Stud on the 260 acre property which attracted buyers from across the state.

After 15 years, the Timms sold Worrowing to a consortium of local businessmen whose plans to develop a golf course never materialized.

The Robertson Era
In April 1994, Building Designer Adrian Robertson and Artist partner Jenny Robertson purchased Worrowing at auction. They extended the homestead and added a conservatory and a new west wing with views to the Budawang ranges. The couple also embarked on some extensive landscaping of the original garden, restoring the camelia gardens and fountain, and adding new features including the Manchurian pear and native tree avenues, and a sunken garden.

The Robertson’s removed all the old cattle fencing creating open paddocks and established Worrowing as a wildlife retreat, now home to thriving mobs of kangaroos and wallabies. A portion of the property is still dedicated to farm animals, bees, vegetables and fruit trees.

Over the past 30 years, the Robertsons have transformed Worrowing into a celebrated retreat:

• 12 boutique accommodations set among bush, gardens, and lakes

• The Hereford – a wedding and events venue in the restored cattle complex

• Landscaped avenues, European-inspired gardens, and wildlife habitats

• The homestead and gardens have often been the centerpiece for historic events, arts festivals, weddings and events

• A legacy of hosting arts festivals, cultural events, and hundreds of weddings

In 2025, Worrowing enters a new era with Melaleuca - a purpose-built events space housing a reception, pop up café and dining, gallery, retail, workshop, and wellness areas.

THE HISTORY OF WORROWING