A recent government grant will help them do that.

Volunteers are needed to improve the gardens and help with other restoration work that will return the estate to its former glory.

"We would like to make Tahlee a showpiece because of the historical significance the community had to the area," director of tourism, John Hutchings said.

Tahlee Estate is in negotiations with GreatLakes Council to re-build the wharf.

The reconstruction will allow charter boats to come into the area and Tahlee to be made more accessible to tourists coming across the water. The waterfront cottage will also be restored to its former glory and fitted out with period furnishings.

In the future Tahlee Estate will be used to house weddings, retreats and honeymoons.

"We would like amateur theatre groups to help out when the place is all restored so there are people walking around dressed in periodl costume.

"We have big plans for this place," John said.

Tahlee's rich heritage stems from the Australian Agricultural company's commissioner, Robert Dawson, who first had Tahlee host built using convict labour.

In 1854 the company sold the estate and moved its headquarters to Stroud and in 1860 Tahlee house was burnt down.

Robert White, a Sydney stockbroker, purchased Tahlee in 1880 and invested a huge amount of money to rebuild the site.

At this stage there were 11 full time gardeners in the area and the gardens looked like the botanic gardens.

"We need full-time gardeners to get the landscaping back to its former glory, as well as caterers and tradesmen," John said.

The Gospel Fishermen Mission, now the Tahlee Ministries, bought the house from the White family in 1959.

Since the start of the tours in 2005, John estimates 1000 people would have been through Tahlee for morning tea or a high tea luncheon and tour.

More volunteers are also needed to help run the place on weekends when there is high demand for tours.

"If we had more volunteers there would be definite consideration in opening the place up more to the public," John said.

If you are interested in volunteering at Tahlee Estate please phone reception on 4997 3003.