On our last trip and coming home 3.000 km to go. I decided to come through a town called Beaudesert Queensland and then onto Tenterfield New South Wales ,not knowing the road I made
enquiries about it and was told it was a good road and passed through some rainforest where I could hear Bell Birds singing.
Thought it would be better than climbing up Cunningham gap the usual way and one that Cath hated, the road to Beaudesert was a double highway, but then at a 3way fork in the road the Tenterfield road became very narrow and rough with more twists and climbs than a corkscrew but too late to turn back so went on.
What I will say except for using the gearbox consistently and much silent swearing and thinking what I’d like to do to the person who recommended the drive,it turned out a good one .
Rainforest parts had 40 ft fern trees, the birds were something I had never heard before and in places you could not wish for better views, stopped at a little town, New Bonalbo. I’d hate to have seen the old one as the new one wasn't much, and has we had lunch we were serenaded.
Reaching Tenterfield we found a very nice caravan park and after setting up we had the usual cup of coffee sitting outside where we admired a building across the road from us, of course we had to get a closer look and this is what we found.

On our last trip and coming home 3.000 km to go. I decided to come through a town called Beaudesert Queensland and then onto Tenterfield New South Wales ,not knowing the road I made
enquiries about it and was told it was a good road and passed through some rainforest where I could hear Bell Birds singing.
Thought it would be better than climbing up Cunningham gap the usual way and one that Cath hated, the road to Beaudesert was a double highway, but then at a 3way fork in the road the Tenterfield road became very narrow and rough with more twists and climbs than a corkscrew but too late to turn back so went on.
What I will say except for using the gearbox consistently and much silent swearing and thinking what I’d like to do to the person who recommended the drive,it turned out a good one .
Rainforest parts had 40 ft fern trees, the birds were something I had never heard before and in places you could not wish for better views, stopped at a little town, New Bonalbo. I’d hate to have seen the old one as the new one wasn't much, and has we had lunch we were serenaded.
Reaching Tenterfield we found a very nice caravan park and after setting up we had the usual cup of coffee sitting outside where we admired a building across the road from us, of course we had to get a closer look and this is what we found.

On our last trip and coming home 3.000 km to go. I decided to come through a town called Beaudesert Queensland and then onto Tenterfield New South Wales ,not knowing the road I made
enquiries about it and was told it was a good road and passed through some rainforest where I could hear Bell Birds singing.
Thought it would be better than climbing up Cunningham gap the usual way and one that Cath hated, the road to Beaudesert was a double highway, but then at a 3way fork in the road the Tenterfield road became very narrow and rough with more twists and climbs than a corkscrew but too late to turn back so went on.
What I will say except for using the gearbox consistently and much silent swearing and thinking what I’d like to do to the person who recommended the drive,it turned out a good one .
Rainforest parts had 40 ft fern trees, the birds were something I had never heard before and in places you could not wish for better views, stopped at a little town, New Bonalbo. I’d hate to have seen the old one as the new one wasn't much, and has we had lunch we were serenaded.
Reaching Tenterfield we found a very nice caravan park and after setting up we had the usual cup of coffee sitting outside where we admired a building across the road from us, of course we had to get a closer look and this is what we found.

About Historic Stannum
CIRCA 1888
Stannum House was built in 1888 by John Holmes Reid. It is the foremost architecturally and historically significant building in the district. It was designed by Italian architects in the latest and grandest style of the era. It is built on a foundation excavated down to granite bedrock then set on granite blocks to give maximum stability. The house became the centre of Tenterfield society and was the family home to 12 children who were cared for by 14 domestic staff.
Stannum is Latin for tin, the mining of which funded the huge construction cost of this grand 19th century mansion built on the highest point in Tenterfield. It is an outstanding example of Victorian era grandeur and served as the Reid family home for more than 50 years.
The house is described as the perfect time capsule. It is a 3 storey triple brick and stucco building with front bay windows and cast iron veranda and balcony decoration. The four panel front door has side and fan lights and the splendid vestibule has an archway supported by Corinthian columns.
Off the vestibule are 3 beautifully restored rooms which present magnificent antiques and curios, some of which were owned by the Reid family.
Upstairs are exquisite hand engraved and patterned glass windows with a Juliet balcony leading off the front bedroom. The interior has superb red cedar throughout including a unique cedar spiral staircase, and 10 Italian marble fireplaces. Local stonemasons cut the granite steps.
During WW2, the house was commandeered by the Army for use as a hospital and command base. It was returned to the family after the war.
In 1954 the Reid family sold to a Greek fruiterer who turned the building into a boarding house and removed the roof tower. When he built a new motel next door, the two front rooms were used as a restaurant and bar and the remainder of the building closed off.
The house was purchased by Kirk Jensen and Peter Gelhaar in August, 1997. The house was very bland, with the original artwork painted out, shag-pile carpets and lino on the floors, and 1970s retro wall paper and colour scheme. Kirk, an expert in Victorian era restoration, set about the enormous task of returning the house to its former glory. He has excelled in its restoration.
The great, great grandson of John Holmes Reid, Peter Maxwell Reid, along with the last surviving relative born at Stannum House, John Reid Mackie opened the fully restored building on 2nd June, 2003.