Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
Highlights
Made for relaxation
Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
Arcade/game room
A rare find - fun for all ages with on-site arcade and game room.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6
Popular amenities
Self-parking included
Kitchen
Washing machine
Air-conditioning
Barbecue grill
Balcony
Explore the area
Paterson, NSW
The Rail Motor Society
Place, The Rail Motor Society
2 min drive
Hunter Valley Gardens
Place, Hunter Valley Gardens
45 min drive
Newcastle Beach
Place, Newcastle Beach
55 min drive
Newcastle, NSW (NTL-Williamtown)
Airport, Newcastle, NSW (NTL-Williamtown)
42 min drive
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)
Bedroom 1
1 King Bed
Bedroom 2
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 3
1 Double Bed
2 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Bathroom 2
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Old Duninald - Historic Farmhouse Experience
Experience the charm of Old Duninald House, a lovingly restored 1822 residence said to be the oldest in the Hunter Valley. Set on 25 acres of gardens and bushland within the larger Duninald Property, this rare retreat offers old-world beauty, rural tranquility, and the warmth of home.
Here, time slows. Wake to birdsong drifting through ancient trees, wander garden paths dotted with sculptures, or settle by the billabong with a book in hand. In the evenings, gather by the firepit under starlit skies or enjoy a glass of Hunter wine on the wide verandahs as the cattle graze in the distance.
Inside, Old Duninald accommodates up to six guests across three beautifully appointed bedrooms, two bathrooms, and multiple living spaces. Expansive verandahs and a fully equipped kitchen ensure there’s ample room to gather, cook, or simply unwind. Original features are matched with modern comforts – a wood-burning fireplace, barbecue facilities, Wi-Fi, and reliable mobile coverage – so you can feel both grounded in history and perfectly at ease.
Duninald itself is a working farm of 500 acres, producing beef from a primarily Angus herd with Charolais bulls. The property also features a specialist wholesale fern nursery and boutique honey production. Yet just beyond the gates, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the Lower Hunter Valley: minutes from Paterson village, just two hours from Sydney and one hour from Newcastle. From here, you can explore the historic streets of Morpeth, the cultural hubs of Maitland and Dungog, the beaches of Port Stephens, and of course, the region’s celebrated vineyards.
Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a family gathering, or a stay linked to nearby Tocal Homestead weddings, Old Duninald offers something rare: a chance to live inside history, surrounded by nature, while exploring one of New South Wales’ most beautiful regions.
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights
Turn off the air conditioner & close the doors.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Be aware of dangers for small children - billabong and electric fences. This is for our guests (you) & your guests.
Please ask children to respect the house. We want it beautiful for you and the next guests.
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number 2421, PID-STRA-5400
Property # 9221891
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 25
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Paterson
Located in Paterson, this holiday home is in a rural area. Tocal Homestead and Maitland Gaol are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include The Rail Motor Society and Maitland Regional Art Gallery. Travelling with kids? Consider Maitland Showground, or check out an event or a game at Aerohunter. Kayaking and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours and cycling nearby.
Is Old Duninald - Historic Farmhouse Experience pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Old Duninald - Historic Farmhouse Experience?
As of 10 Aug, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Old Duninald - Historic Farmhouse Experience on 13 Aug, 2026 start from S$1,577, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Old Duninald - Historic Farmhouse Experience?
Self-parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at Old Duninald - Historic Farmhouse Experience?
Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Old Duninald - Historic Farmhouse Experience?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Old Duninald - Historic Farmhouse Experience located?
This family-friendly Paterson holiday home is located in a rural location, within 2 mi (3 km) of The Rail Motor Society, Paterson Golf Course and Paterson Court House Museum. Tocal Homestead is 1.6 mi (2.6 km) away. Paterson Station is 22 minutes by foot.
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Julia was a wonderful host. The accommodation was beautiful and perfectly located for the wedding we attended in Wallalong.
Elizabeth A.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Dec, 2024
Thank you for choosing Old Duninald. You were a great guest & I'm glad you & your family enjoyed yourselves. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.
Great location for family wedding, only 5 min drive to Tocal homestead. Lovely grounds to walk around, very serene. Lovely pergola to sit in and watch the birds and ducks on the dam, walk across bridge to see bulls in paddock
Situated on a working property Old Duninald is well appointed and very comfortable with a sunny verandah. The host welcoming and respectful of our privacy.
We had the warmest welcome from beautiful Sophie the golden retriever. Greeted us with several zoomies and cuddles. The Farmhouse was homely and clean and accommodated six people comfortably. We were also very grateful for the complimentary milk, bread, cheese, biscuits, jam, honey, cereal and wine. Host Julia checked in on us during our stay which was also nice. Would definitely recommend staying at Old Duninald Farmhouse
Shannon J.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Nov, 2025
Dear Shannon
I'm glad you were comfortable & Sophie made you welcome!
Thank you for leaving the house so tidy & thank you for your kind words.
Best wishes
Julia
Great property in perfect location for wedding at Tocal Homestead. Old Duninald is a beautiful old homestead, tastefully renovated and decorated with all the comforts of home. Communication with Julia was easy and obliging with a lovely unexpected welcome pack upon arrival very appreciated. Perfect, highly recommended.
Derrick (Tony) J.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Sept, 2023
Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad it all worked for you & your family.
Best wishes
Julia
I stayed here for my wedding weekend and it was beautiful. The property is lovely and quiet. Amazing scenery from the back deck.
Everyone that visited the accommodation over the weekend adored the cottage. It was clean, breakfast supplies with tea and coffee was supplied and some wine as well. Couldn't rate this place higher. Thank you Julie
Ashley W.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Nov, 2023
So glad it all worked well for you & your wedding party. Thank you for your kind words. Best wishes for a happy married life. Julia
I had a wonderful 3night stay at this beautiful property. It was the perfect choice for attending a nearby wedding. Julia's communication before, during & after our stay was fantastic. The little extra touches really made a difference, such as the local honey and fresh bread waiting for us, as well as the thoughtful information about the history of the house. It truly felt like a special experience, and I would highly recommend this place to anyone attending an event nearby or just looking for a charming and welcoming getaway in the hunter region.
The accomodation was beyond our expectations and our hosts were extremely friendly, hospitable and accommodating, answering all our questions and making sure we felt welcome and comfortable. Highly recommend if you would love a country getaway. The gardens, summer house and bridge over the picturesque water all added to the beautiful experience. Reading the history of the house was wonderful as well. Thank you for sharing this piece of paradise and also for the welcome basket
Linda W.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Feb, 2022
Thank you for your kind words. It was a pleasure to host you. We hope to see you again. Best wishes
Julia
I stayed at the beautiful Duninald house with my bridesmaids and mum the night before and morning of my wedding at Tocal Homestead. The amazing hospitality and picturesque accomodation truly set the scene for a stress free and beautiful wedding experience. We can’t wait to return for weekends with the family or around our anniversary for little country escapes. The lighting and space was perfect for my hair and makeup artists when getting ready and the wrap around deck made for perfect photos.
Would highly recommend to any bride to be getting married in the area.
Eden R.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Sept, 2023
Dear Eden
I am so glad Old Duninald provided all you needed for your special event. Thank you for your kind words. My best wishes to you for a very happy married life.
Julia
We thought the property was beautiful and comfortable. It was perfect for our needs. The oven needed a clean, but apart from that the property was clean, neat and tidy. It had a beautiful feel. I found the logging in process tricky, but once logged in, communication with the owner was a breeze. We would happily recommend this property. Thanks.
David M.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 May, 2024
Dear David
Thank you for your feedback. I just wanted to report that the oven is now clean. The griller was not responsive to my efforts - so a new grill was purchased. It's not easy to give negative feedback but it is really helpful to hosts. So again I thank you & hope to see you another time.
Best wishes
Julia
Stunning old home, however for the hefty price I was a bit disappointed with some of the cleaning. There were huge cobwebs on a lot of the walls inside and the drain in the bathroom was completely blocked making the entire bathroom flood within a couple of minutes of having the water running.
Other than this, the house and location is very picturesque and serene.
Emma T.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Dec, 2022
Dear Emma
I'm sorry that the drain was blocked. We did not know & can't know unless our guests let us know. We can now check it out. I'm afraid the spiders can be very industrious & the removal of a spiders web one day does not guarantee that they will not be back the next day.
Kind regards
Julia
The property is exactly as described!! We stayed with our elderly parents and an interstate family member.
On our first night we had extended family over for a casual dinner. There was plenty of room, seating and amenities in the kitchen. We had an absolute ball. The house is surrounded by spectacular gardens worth a walk around!! The beds and bathrooms are very comfortable, everything you need onsite, just bring you and your food/beverages. Our second night was at a wedding at Tocal, just a hop skip and jump from this gorgeous property. We loved every second and hope to return! Huge thanks Julia! Nicole
My bridesmaids and I were lucky enough to stay in this little piece of paradise the night before my wedding and use it as our “getting ready” venue the morning of. It was beautiful and peaceful with plenty of natural light for makeup and hair and beautiful locations for photos. The one small issue we had with changing over gas bottles for the hot water system was quickly resolved by our beautiful host who went above and beyond to make sure we had a lovely stay. The accommodation was spotless and the grounds were beautiful. 100% would recommend to anyone and would come back again in a heart beat.
Nothing to add, what a great place to stay in. Thankyou Julia for your hospitality. Probably the closest accommodation to Tocal, apart from the actual Tocal property.
From booking through to check out we had the best experience with Julia, she was helpful, easy to communicate with and kindly left us a welcome hamper for our stay. The property is stunning, we loved sitting out on the vernadah for a cup of tea or drink in the afternoon. The house is well equipped including shampoo and conditioner and a hair dryer! We loved our stay and will definitely be back. Highly recommend!
Zara M.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Jan, 2022
Happy New Year - I'm glad you had a good time & we'd love to see you return.
Best wishes
Julia
We stayed 3 nights (we were in the region for a wedding) and it was wonderful.
The extensive property with lovely trees, native plants and billabong was motivation to get up early while the weather was cool to enjoy.
The house itself is so beautifully restored with gorgeous interior designs and lots of amenities for those who enjoy cooking. A basket of food was also provided, including honey made by the property's bees. The air conditioning served us well when it was particularly hot.
Many thanks to Julia and Poppy who welcomed us and helped us have such an enjoyable stay. A very special experience - we would love to stay again in the future.
Alex B.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Jan, 2022
Happy New Year
I'm glad you had a happy time. We'd love to see you again.
Best wishes
Julia
Another fabulous stay at Old Duninald. The house was so welcoming, it felt like coming home. Julia is accessible for anything you need and a total pro.
We returned this time with my Mum and and she really was in heaven.
Something for everyone at this special property with such great day trips on offer.
Thank you for having us once again Julia and team, we look forward to returning.
Lisa and family xx
Lisa D.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Dec, 2021
Dear Lisa
Great to have you back...thank you & your family for being a wonderful guests.
Look forward to seeing you again.
Best wishes
Julia
We stayed in the beautiful little cottage two nights leading up to our wedding in November. It was perfect for what we needed. Ammenities are well equipped and the grounds on which the cottage lays is stunning perfect for a stroll in the fresh air. The cottage is just bursting with quirky little charms. I couldn’t recommend this place enough even just for a weekend away. Julia is a delight to deal with and nothing was ever a problem.
Tori G.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Dec, 2021
Thank you for your kind words. I do hope all is going well for you & you & your husband have a very merry Christmas.
I hope to see you back for one of those get away weekends.
Best wishes
Julia
We booked this as accommodation for our wedding. Julia was so helpful - she happily allowed us to view the property prior to our stay and even brought us down some extra tables so we could have a post wedding breakfast with extended family!
The property was beautiful and well presented. Would definitely stay here again!!
Our stay at Old Duninald was wonderful. Julia’s attention to the care of her guests, along with this amazing property ensured our weekend was exceptional. Chatting to Julia about the history of her home and our family connection to the area was such a delight, thank you.
karen h.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Feb, 2021
You & your family are very much part of the reason we wanted to have Old Duninald open for guests. We want to be able to share the history & beauty of our valley. I am so pleased the weekend was a success for you.
Great quiet location we were able to forget the city and relax. The local supermarket and butcher were great to top up on food and the kitchen etc are well equipped. The beds were very comfortable and the ducted air conditioning a blessing when it became a little humid. Thank you Julia and Chris.
Caryn M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Jan, 2021
Dear Caryn
Glad you had a happy time..sorry I wasn’t there to look after you...but I did make enquires & heard that Poppy was making sure you were Ok.
Thank you for mentioning the local suppliers.. I think it makes a difference & glad it did for you, too.
Would be glad to hear of what excursions were the most successful.
Have a happy year.
Best wishes
Julia
Old Duninald is a class act of a holiday experience that feels special with all the comforts you’d want - whilst still feeling like you’re getting back to basics. A serene place, with great morning/afternoon/day trips near by, and with gorgeous hosts who allow you your privacy but who I equally felt I could reach out to if we needed anything. You feel you’re part of soemthing in this special house. Thank you to Julia, Chris and family.
Lisa D.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Oct, 2020
Dear Lisa
Thank you for your kind words. We loved having you & your family stay.
I glad you felt refreshed when you left... our grandchildren loved having your children here ( as did we).
I hope the term feels more normal for them.
Best wishes
Julia
We had a wonderful few days here and thought it was a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the lovely countryside. Julia is a wonderful host and the house is beautiful - a perfect holiday house! They had thought of everything needed for a holiday house - thank you for having us!
Sophie S.
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Oct, 2020
It was a delight having Sophie & her family enjoying school holidays.
They are always welcome back, they were everything one would wish from a guest.
About the host
Hosted by Mrs Julia L Wokes
We restored Old Duninald and wanted people to have the opportunity stay in the oldest house in the Hunter Valley. Restored for a contemporary stay. We have travelled and have tried to create the house that we would have liked to stay in. The house is welcoming with lots of spaces for people to come to-gether: verandahs, sunroom, sitting room & dining room. There is also plenty of space for a little solitude - within the house or in the grounds. The grounds are 25 acres of woodland. Within the grounds there is a summer house by a billabong with a table & chairs. There is also a bench seat under a tree to take your favorite book or take the perfect wedding photo. We are available 24 hours on the phone to ensure our guests queries are answered.
Why they chose this property
Paterson is a great central location in the Lower Hunter Valley. The house is only 5 minutes away from the fabulous wedding venue of Tocal. Our bridal parties have loved the photo opportunities that Old Duninald has provided - as well as the perfect light for pre wedding make up! It is central for taking overseas guests to the main spots of the Lower Hunter - an hour to Pokolbin to wine tasting, an hour from Port Stephens for whale watching & an hour from Newcastle for all that this city in tansition offers: good food; swimming - ocean & ocean baths; cultural & sporting events. Closer to the property are the historic towns of Maitland, Morpeth & Dungog - all around 30 minutes away.
What makes this property unique
To have such an historic property, renovated for to-day, surrounded by 25 acres of woodland which includes a Bush Food garden and an arboretum showcasing the vegetation of the Hunter Valley - this is unique.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests