HISTORIC Tahlee rests on the shores of Port Stephens and is a very significant heritage site.
Thanks to Tourism Coordinators, John and Verna Hutchings and Tour Guide, Keith Wilson, you can now personally experience the peaceful surrounds steeped in Australian history while taking a historical tour.
Mr Wilson explained that tours of Tahlee have been done informally for many years; however, the first formal tour took place in October last year.
"Along with a guided tour, you can stroll around the grounds that are also home to a variety of Australian wildlife, enjoy delicious home-style refreshments and our gracious hospitality and above all, go home feeling relaxed and renewed," said Mr Wilson.
Points of interest on the tour include:
* Homestead
* Convict history
* Convict built Boat Harbour (built in 1826 with an abundance of heritage significance).
* Historic ballroom and billiard room
* Botanical collection
* Collection of artefacts on display
Tours are by negotiation. A guided tour requires a minimum of 20 people and there are two options:
* Guided tour - $6
* $12 in total if a light lunch is included
Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning 4997 3003.
For more information on Tahlee House and their guided tours, visit the website: www.tahlee.org or email info@tahlee.org
All profits from the tours go back into the Tahlee community.
Mr Wilson explained that at the moment, John and Verna Hutchings from North Arm Cove coordinate the tours, but he hopes to get a team together to help conduct the historical guided tours around this significant site.
"At the end of the tour there is a power point presentation full of interesting historical facts," said Mr Wilson.
"Tahlee is also rich in Aboriginal history, so we are hoping to ask some Aboriginal residents from Karuah to assist with the tours," he said.
Tahlee Bible College was started in 1959 and today consists of the Bible College, visitor accommodation and the tourism ministry.
Along with the tours, Tahlee Ministries also hold children's camps and youth camps on the site.
"Tahlee House is empty at the moment, but we hope to place a resident couple in the house to look after guests of Tahlee and be on site to help with the tours," explained Mr Wilson.
The lounge room pictured on the front page was RHD White's sitting/dining room in the 1880s.
"It still gets used every week for things such as committee meetings and prayer meetings," said Mr Wilson.
A brief history
THE Australian Agricultural Company (AA Company) arrived in 1826 and Tahlee House was set up for the Commissioners of the company.
* The AA Company moved on from Tahlee in 1854.
* In 1860 Tahlee House burnt down.
* In 1880, RHD White bought Tahlee along with extra land. He was worth around $175,000 pounds and was a great collector, so he poured money into Tahlee and rebuilt Tahlee House along the lines of the original house. The original Wine Cellar still remains today. He then added other buildings such as the Billiards Room, Ballroom and Chapel.
* RHD White died in 1900 and his wife inherited the property.
* Their son, ABS White, inherited it in 1927 and it became his country estate.
* The Gospel Fishermen Mission (now known as Tahlee Ministries) took over the site in 1949, with Mr White eventually agreeing to lease it to the Christian organisation for a period of 10 years.
* From 1949 to 1959 Tahlee Ministries held children's camps and youth camps there until Mr White offered to sell them the property in 1959.
* The property lies on 170 acres.
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