One of historic Gulgong’s original residences, a rare verandah-framed Californian Bungalow, is set to go under the hammer in early February. The tightly held property also offers buyers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure a genuine piece of the town’s heritage.

Located at 62 Queen Street[i], the classic four-bedroom house was built in the 1920s, and not long after World War I ended, and is understood to have been the original house constructed on the expansive block.

In more than 100 years, the property has changed hands just three times, with the most recent owner living there for over 4 decades. The current owner, Ruth Boyd-Davis, has decided to downsize.

Listing agent Nicole Stearman, Principal of Raine & Horne Gulgong, reflected on the essence of Ms Boyd-Davis, describing her as a strong, independent and much-loved figure in the local community, who maintained the expansive property herself.

“Ruth is a passionate local historian who was closely involved with both the local museum and the world-renowned Holtermann Museum and was well known for sharing stories of Gulgong’s past with visitors.

“She was like a walking, talking tourist centre,” Nicole said. Ms Davis penned the self-published Diary of a Goldfield with coauthor Barry Baldwin in 2001, which documents life on the Gulgong goldfields during the early 1870s.

Gulgong, a 1870s heritage gold-rush town in the Central West of New South Wales, sits just 30 minutes from Mudgee and has become increasingly popular with buyers seeking character homes and a quieter pace of life.

Nicole added that the historic property stands apart not only for its age, but for the integrity of its original design and its rare landholding in the heart of town.

“This is one of those properties that is rarely put on the market for sale,” she said.

“It has been lovingly held and largely untouched, and it sits on more than 3,300 square metres, which is incredibly rare for a property that sits one block back from the main street.”

Recent sales provide a useful benchmark, Nicole noted, pointing to a comparable Gulgong property on a much smaller 1,341sqm block that recently sold for $975,000.

“Given the significantly larger landholding, expectations for this property are much higher,” she said.

A craftsman’s legacy preserved in a rare interwar house

Built by hand by Bill Tomlinson, a local craftsman who along with his father and grandfather operated a mill and carpentry shop in the town - the historic house showcases the hallmarks of interwar and Californian Bungalow architecture.

Standout features include wide wrap-around verandahs, soaring ceilings, decorative timber trims, leadlight windows and four ornate fireplaces.

Formal living and dining rooms at the front of the house are connected by double French doors and are framed by original detailing. Three of the four bedrooms open directly onto the verandah, while many original elements, including wallpapers, fireplaces, and room layouts, remain intact.

Nicole Stearman said the property would appeal to buyers with a passion for heritage homes and restoration.

“Because it’s so original throughout and that’s been maintained, it will likely appeal to people who have an enthusiasm for older-style homes and their integrity,” she said.

Beyond the house itself, the expansive 3,335 sqm land parcel features established trees, landscaped rockeries and an elegant brick driveway leading to a two-car garage and single carport, plus rear-lane property access, a combination seldom found in central Gulgong.

“The oversized block also provides privacy, space and future potential, while retaining a strong connection to the town’s historic streetscape,” Nicole added.

62 Queen Street, Gulgong, will be offered for sale at auction on 7 February 2026 at 9:45 am, with pre-inspections available by appointment through Raine & Horne Gulgong on (02) 6379 1000.

[i] https://www.raineandhorne.com.au/gulgongkandos/properties/62-queen-street-gulgong-2852-new-south-wales?redirectFrom=%2FL38847691