Historic Homestead Tour
Tour Days and Times
Regular tour days are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Two tours operate on tour days. Morning tours begin at 9:30am and Afternoon tours start 1:30pm. Tours run for approximately 2.5 hours.
Cost
Prices: $50 for adults and $25 for children
Please note prices are valid to 31 March 2025.
Bookings
Numbers are limited to 16 persons so please press the Book Now button above to make a booking to avoid disappointment. Walk-in's without a booking can only be accepted if pre-booked numbers allow and we therefore cannot guarantee a seat.
Group Bookings
Group bookings and larger groups can be accommodated with prior notification. We can provide options for alternative days and times for group bookings or other special circumstances. Please contact us to discuss your group bookings.
Experience the proud history of the Pitcairn Island Settlers.
This property has so many stories to tell that are revealed as you travel by truck and on foot.
Highlights include:
Visiting the gracious original 1879 homestead that has retained its original character, fabric and charm, you'll appreciate the quality of craftsmanship and original interior finishings.
Marie Bailey inherited the homestead from her father Tom and lived there till her death in 2016. Marie is largely responsible for Norfolk's modern tourism industry working in the first government Tourist Bureau and then starting the first Tour Company on Norfolk Island called Norfolk Tours. On the tour you'll learn about her incredible life and legacy – and travel for part of the tour on the Island’s first tour bus, Marie's uncle's 1926 Model A!
George Bailey was the first resident Blacksmith for the community, arriving to work for the Melanesian Mission in the 1860s. His blacksmiths forge is the oldest working forge in the Pacific and retains not only the double bellows he imported from England, but all of his original tools, anvil and output such as nails and cattle brands.
The settlement of the Pitcairners on Norfolk Island was only possible through hard work and ingenuity to survive on such an isolated and remote island. Various industries were created, many typified as 'boom and bust' and on the tour you'll see and hear about some of these including whaling, passionfruit, lemon and bananas. Highlights include replica whaleboat and original timber lighter used on the Island until 2022.
After visiting the essential vegetable and fruit gardens established by George and Emily, you'll also see established ornamental trees planted by Marie's father Tom and continued by Marie herself. The gardens are an absolute highlight of this tour.
The dairy and outbuildings tell their own story - of relentless hard work as well as the relief of the arrival of farming equipment and machinery that helped free up valuable time.
What possessions has your family kept and handed down through the generations? The Bailey family has looked after and kept so many of their precious family items. In the memorabilia areas enjoy a wander down memory lane as well as hearing one of the Island's first gramophones - complete with its tuba speaker!
All tours finish with a complimentary film followed by tea, coffee and some of our famous guava 'porpeih' jelly on a biscuit.